Quick facts
Moldova population overview
Moldova is the 29th most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 2,976,518 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -1% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 80 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 30,063 births (10.1 per 1,000 people) and 42,267 deaths (14.2 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 16,966 people. The infant mortality rate is 9.3 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 2,058,020 in 1960 to 2,360,527 in 2025 — a change of +14.7%, or +0.2% per year on average. It peaked at 2,981,566 in 1991 and has declined 0.9% since.
Demographically, the median age is 39.1 years; life expectancy at birth is 71.6 years; women have on average 1.7 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 19.5% of residents are under 15 and 16.9% are 65 or older (2025); 43.7% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Chisinau. Moldova covers 33,850 km², giving a population density of about 87.2 people per km². GDP was $20.35B in 2025 — about $8,622 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
Moldova population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 2,953,255 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 2,976,518 |
| World rank | #139 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #29 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 0.036% |
| Annual growth rate | -1% |
| Births per year est. | 30,063 |
| Deaths per year est. | 42,267 |
| Net migration per year est. | -16,966 |
| Birth rate | 10.1 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 14.2 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 9.3 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 85.1 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 39.1 years |
| Life expectancy | 71.6 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.7 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 43.7% |
| Surface area 2023 | 33,850 km² |
| Population density | 87.2 per km² |
| Capital | Chisinau |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $20.35B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $8,622 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
Moldova population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 2,953,255 | – | – |
| 2025 | 2,360,527 | -41,779 | -1.7% |
| 2024 | 2,402,306 | -55,477 | -2.3% |
| 2023 | 2,457,783 | -70,871 | -2.8% |
| 2022 | 2,528,654 | -67,155 | -2.6% |
| 2021 | 2,595,809 | -39,321 | -1.5% |
| 2020 | 2,635,130 | -200,848 | -1.5% |
| 2015 | 2,835,978 | -26,376 | -0.2% |
| 2010 | 2,862,354 | -26,631 | -0.2% |
| 2005 | 2,888,985 | -35,683 | -0.2% |
| 2000 | 2,924,668 | -28,532 | -0.2% |
| 1995 | 2,953,200 | -24,712 | -0.2% |
| 1990 | 2,977,912 | +127,125 | +0.9% |
| 1985 | 2,850,787 | +142,112 | +1% |
| 1980 | 2,708,675 | +141,677 | +1.1% |
| 1975 | 2,566,998 | +129,408 | +1% |
| 1970 | 2,437,590 | +172,303 | +1.5% |
| 1965 | 2,265,287 | +207,267 | +1.9% |
| 1960 | 2,058,020 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Moldova
Population over time
- From 2,058,020 in 1960 to 2,953,255 today — up 43.5%.
- Population peaked at 2,981,566 in 1991 and is down 0.9% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: -1.8% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 71.3 years (2024), up 11.9 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.7 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 10.6 births vs 13.8 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Deaths outnumber births — natural decrease of 3.2 per 1,000 a year.
Age structure
- 19.5% of the population is under 15 and 16.9% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 4.9% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 8.21 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 31.82 Mt in 1990 — down 74.2% since.
- Per person: 3.42 t in 2024, vs 7.91 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 1,296.8 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), down 61% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 21.4% of final energy in 2021 (+20.3 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 11.7% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 10% to 11.7% since 1992 — roughly 583 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 43.7% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 23.2% in 1960 (+20.5 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: high — freshwater withdrawals are 52.2% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 641 m³ in 2022, up 17.9% since 1992.
Economy
- GDP: $20.35B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 161% since 2015.
- That works out to $8,622 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 1.5% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 7.8% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 77.4% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 120.1 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Moldova in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Moldova in 2026?
As of October 2026, Moldova has an estimated population of 2,953,255. The United Nations estimated 2,976,518 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -1% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Moldova growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -1% per year — roughly 80 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 30,063 births and 42,267 deaths, with net migration of -16,966.
What is the population density of Moldova?
About 87.2 people per square kilometre: 2,953,255 people living on 33,850 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Moldova?
The median age is 39.1 years, and life expectancy at birth is 71.6 years. 19.5% of the population is under 15 and 16.9% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Moldova rank by population?
Moldova is the 139th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 29th in Europe, with 0.036% of the global population.
How has the population of Moldova changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 2,058,020; by 2025 it had grown to 2,360,527 (+14.7%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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NamibiaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-1%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.