Moldova's Population Crisis: A Decade to Lose a City?

Moldova Faces Population Crisis: 42,000 Lost in 2024, Expert Warns of Chișinău-Sized Loss. Moldova is experiencing a significant population decline, losing 42,000 inhabitants in 2024, according to economic expert Veaceslav Ioniță. This translates to a daily loss of 115 people. Ioniță points to two primary factors: high emigration and negative natural population growth. He notes that the largest group leaving is young adults aged 20-29, with 2.7% of this demographic emigrating last year. "The structure of those leaving has changed," Ioniță explains. "Previously, it was those over 30, but now it's mostly young people." If this continues, Moldova could lose a population equal to Chișinău's in 10 years. The situation is exacerbated by a negative natural increase of 9,000. While some immigration offsets the losses, it's insufficient to counter the outflow of Moldovans. The ongoing population decline underscores the urgent need for economic and social reforms to address the root causes of emigration and encourage population growth.