Moldova's Poverty Figures Questioned: Minister's Claim Sparks Debate

Moldova's Poverty Data Under Scrutiny: Minister Claims Overstatement, Expert Alleges Manipulation Moldova is facing renewed debate over its poverty levels after Minister of Labor and Social Protection Alexei Buzu claimed that official statistics are inflated. Buzu stated that the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report doesn't account for government compensations, promising a revised report soon. However, economic expert Veaceslav Ionita sharply criticized Buzu's statement, calling it a "ridiculous absurdity." Ionita pointed to consistently rising poverty rates over the past four years, particularly in rural areas, where nearly half the population lives near or below the poverty line. He emphasized the long-standing reliability of NBS methodology, suggesting Buzu's claims are politically motivated. "It's ridiculous to hear a politically involved person comment on the professionalism of statisticians," Ionita stated. The controversy underscores the challenges facing Moldova in accurately measuring and addressing poverty. The upcoming release of the revised NBS report is highly anticipated.