Moldovan population. The population of the republic of moldova The population of moldova for the year is the number

The Republic of Moldova in terms of population occupies the penultimate place in the CIS, ahead of only Armenia, in the global ranking for this indicator, Moldova is in 134th place.

According to the data of the National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova, as of January 1, 2016, 3,553.1 thousand people lived in the country (excluding the population of the regions on the left bank of the Dniester and the municipality of Bender), of which 2,042 thousand lived in rural areas, 1,511.1 thousand - in cities.

At the same time, it should be taken into account that for Moldova, not only the number of resident population, but also the number of the current (permanently in the country) population plays an important role. This figure differs significantly from the total population and, according to the results of the 2014 census, was 2,913,281 people. This circumstance means that more than five hundred thousand people are permanently or temporarily employed, studying and for other reasons outside of Moldova.

The population density in Moldova is very high and amounts to 128 people per square kilometer. This is due to the very small territory of the country and the advantageous geographical location entirely in the flat part of Europe. However, the population is located on the territory of the country somewhat unevenly. Most of the people (62 percent) live in the north and center of the country, and some areas have a population of less than 50,000 people. Due to the small population, the cities of Moldova cannot be called large. The largest city is its capital Chisinau, which, according to the latest data, is home to 681.1 thousand people. All other cities are very small, some have a population of 2-3 thousand people.

More than 50 nationalities live in Moldova. The most numerous nation is the Moldovans, their number is more than 75 percent of the population. Next in terms of the number of representatives are Ukrainians (280 thousand people) and Russians (200 thousand people).

The official language is Romanian. Russian and Ukrainian languages ​​have an official status in the territory of Transnistria, which is not controlled by the authorities of the Republic of Moldova. Also, Russian is the official language in the Gagauzia region. It should be noted that according to the results of the 2014 census, more than 70 percent of the inhabitants declared not Romanian as their mother tongue, but the language of their nationality, that is, Moldovan, which has some differences from Romanian.

Almost every citizen of Moldova who wants to has a Romanian passport, and after the collapse of the USSR, there is an active campaign for the absorption of Moldova by Romania, since, according to supporters of such accession, "a single Romanian nation" lives from Bucharest to Chernivtsi. The idea of ​​the absorption of the language, culture and history of the Romanians and Moldovans by the community is substantiated, even the point of view is expressed that the Moldovan nationality as such does not exist. However, to date, a significant part of the population of Moldova, for various reasons, is against such accession.

Moldova is a secular state, but the vast majority of its inhabitants profess Christianity (Orthodoxy).

The demographic situation in Moldova can be assessed as a crisis. In the post-Soviet period, the demographic situation worsens from year to year.

Since 1992, the birth rate has been falling, there has been no natural increase in the population, and emigration has increased. Thus, from 1992 to the present, the population of the country has decreased by more than 800 thousand people. For such a small state, this is a colossal figure.

The outflow of the population outside of Moldova is especially large among people of such nationalities as Russians and Ukrainians.

The country is experiencing depopulation (an excess of the number of deaths over the number of births), the rate of which has remained unchanged for several years. So, in 2015, the natural population decline (for all reasons) amounted to 2103 people, in 2014 - about two thousand people. Similar rates of population decline have taken place over the past decade.

The birth rate is 10.9 per 1,000 population, or 1.55 births per woman in total terms. The mortality rate is 11.1 per thousand population, which is a fairly high value. The infant mortality rate is also high, it is 10.9 deaths per thousand live births, which is a very high value, especially for Europe.

Average life expectancy in Moldova is 71.5 years. The main causes of death in Moldova are cardiovascular and oncological diseases.

The ratio of women and men is unequal. There are approximately 130,000 more women in Moldova than men. There are 1,008 women for every 1,000 men.

Every year in Moldova about 25 thousand marriages are concluded, and almost half (more than 11 thousand) are terminated. This circumstance, as well as the imbalance in the sex ratio among the population, negatively affects the demographic situation in the country.

The standard of living of the inhabitants of Moldova can be characterized as low. The average monthly income per capita in 2015 was 2006.2 lei, which is equivalent to 101 US dollars. The subsistence minimum is 1,734.1 lei (88 US dollars), the average wage was 4,610.9 lei (233 US dollars). The average pension in Moldova is 1,087.6 lei ($55).

From the above statistics, one can understand why Moldova is in a state of protracted demographic crisis. After the collapse of the USSR, the socio-economic situation in the country became very difficult. The low standard of living of the population, extremely small incomes for Europe do not allow the inhabitants of this country to give birth to many children. In addition, a significant part of the able-bodied and educated population is permanently or temporarily employed outside the country. It seems that in order to improve the demographic situation in the country, the government needs to develop and take a set of effective measures to support motherhood and childhood, stimulate the birth rate, and prevent labor emigration. But whether this is possible in practice, time will tell.

The article was prepared by specialists of SoyuzPravoInform LLC.

As of January 1, 2011, the population of the Republic of Moldova was 3,560,400 people (excluding the left bank of the Dniester and the municipality of Bendery).

In 2007, an average of 3,576,900 people lived in Moldova.

In the post-Soviet period, the demographic situation in Moldova is deteriorating. The main reason for this is the difficult socio-economic situation. In recent years, natural population growth has decreased, emigration of the most able-bodied and professionally trained part of the country's population has increased, and mortality has increased.

Population census

In the period from 5 to 12 October 2004, the first independent population census was conducted on the territory of Moldova.

According to census data, in 2004, 3,383,332 people lived in Moldova. The census data did not take into account the left bank of the Dniester and the municipalities of Bendery. Of this number, men make up 48.1%, women - 51.9%. 38.59% of the population (1,305,655 people) live in cities, 61.41% (2,077,677 people) live in villages.

21% of the country's population lived in the municipality of Chisinau, 4.6% - in Gagauzia and 3.8% - in the municipality of Balti.

Districts with a population of more than 100 thousand people: Cahul, Hinchesht, Orhei and Ungen. Districts with the smallest population: Bessarabsky (29 thousand), Dubossary (34 thousand), Sholdaneshtsky (42 thousand) and Taraclia.

For the period from 1989 to 2004. there was a decline in the population by 274 thousand people, which corresponds to 0.5% per year. The decline in the population during this period was caused by a decrease in the birth rate and negative migration from the country. Since 1989, the rural population has decreased from 61.4% to 57.9%. The urban population during this period decreased by 1.0% per year, and the rural population - by 0.13% per year. The population density decreased from 120.4 to 111.4 people. per km².

It was recorded that 259,554 people (7.7%) are outside of Moldova. Of these, 144,822 are men and 114,732 are women. 89% of those who left the country left the country in search of work, 11% left to study abroad or for other reasons.

Based on preliminary data from the population census and data obtained from other statistical studies, the Department of Statistics and Sociology of the Republic of Moldova calculated that there are about 367 thousand citizens of the country outside Moldova.

National composition

The results of the census showed that the majority of the population of Moldova are Moldovans (75.8%). Since 1989, their number has increased by 5.9%.

Nationality Number (persons) %
Moldavians..................2 564 849......................75, 8 %
Ukrainians...................282 406....................... ..8.4%
Russians.....................201 218.......................... ....5.9%
Gagauz......................147 500.......................... .....4.4%
Romanians......................73 276....................... ......2.2%
Bulgarians...............65 662.......................... .....1.9%
others.......................34 401...................... .......1.0%
not declared .................. 14 020 ............................... .0.4%

The national composition of the population reflects the processes that have taken place in Moldovan society over the past 15 years. The number of Ukrainians in comparison with 1989 decreased by 2.9%, and Russians by 3.9%. The number of Gagauz increased by 0.3%, and Romanians - by 2.1%. At the same time, the number of Bulgarians living in Moldova decreased by 0.1%. It should be noted that the majority of Moldovans, Gagauzians and Bulgarians live in rural areas, while Russians, Romanians and Ukrainians mostly live in cities.
Language composition

According to the census data, 78.8% of the country's population declared the language of their nationality as their mother tongue. For 78.4% of Moldovans, the native language is Moldovan, for 18.8% - Romanian, for 2.5% - Russian and for 0.3% - another language. The Ukrainian language is native for 64.1% of Ukrainians, and Russian for 31.8%. For 97.2% of Russians, Russian is their native language.

Along with data on the native language, data on the main language of communication were obtained. For 58.8% of the population of Moldova, this language is Moldovan, for 16.4% - Romanian, 16.0% - Russian, 3.8% - Ukrainian, 3.1% - Gagauz and 1.1% - Bulgarian. 0.4% of the country's inhabitants usually speak other languages.

The majority of Ukrainians, Gagauzians and Bulgarians indicated the language of their nationality as their mother tongue. Every second Ukrainian, every third Bulgarian and every fourth Gagauz most often uses Russian. Moldovans who speak mainly Russian make up only 5.0%.

6.2% of Ukrainians, 4.4% of Russians, 1.9% of Gagauzians, 2.2% of Romanians and 7.1% of Bulgarians speak predominantly Moldovan.

Citizenship

3,371,082 people living in the republic (99.6%) are citizens of Moldova. 6486 people (0.2%) have citizenship of another country and 5374 people do not have citizenship. Of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, 12,705 people have dual citizenship. 390 people did not indicate their citizenship.
Gender composition

Women continue to be the predominant part of the country's population - 51.9% of the total in 2004 and 52.3% - in 1989. The last census recorded 1755643 women, which is 128 thousand more than men. There were 927 men per 1,000 women, up from 912 in 1989.

Despite the fact that the decrease in the female population in the intercensal period was more significant than the decrease in the male population, the predominance of women remained. Women are more numerous after 30 years of age.

In the intercensal period, the average age of the population increased by 3.5 years and amounted to 35.3 years, for women - 36.8 years, for men - 33.6 years (according to the 1989 census, the average age was, respectively, 31.8 , 33.3 and 30.1 years).

Religious composition

During the 2004 census, 93.3% of the respondents indicated Orthodoxy as their religion. Of the adherents of other faiths, a significant number were Baptists (about 1.0%), Seventh-day Adventists (0.4%), Pentecostals (0.3%) and Old Believers (0.15%). 46 thousand people (1.4%) declared themselves atheists and not adhering to any religion. 75.7 thousand people (2.2%) did not indicate their religion.

Data from "CIA - The World Factbook"

Population: 4,455,421 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years old: 20.2% (male 459,452 / female 442,725)
15-64 years old: 69.5% (male 1,489,813 / female 1,606,202)
65 years and older: 10.3% (male 169,038 / female 288,191) (2005 est.)

Average age:

Population growth: 0.22% (2005 est.)
Birth rate: 15.27 per 1,000 people (2005 estimate)
Mortality rate: 12.79 per 1,000 people (2005 estimate)
Migration rate: −0.25 per 1,000 people (2005 estimate)

Sex structure:

At birth: 1.05 male/female
under 15: 1.04 male/female
15-64 years: 0.93 male/female
65 years and over: 0.59 male/female
all categories: 0.91 male/female (2005 estimate)

Child mortality rate:

Total: 40.42 deaths per 1,000 births
male: 43.11 deaths per 1,000 births
female: 37.58 deaths per 1,000 births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy:

Total: 65.18 years
male: 61.12 years
female: 69.43 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.81 children/woman (2005 est.)

Religious composition:

Orthodox: 98%
Jews: 1.5%
Baptists and others: 0.5% (2000)

Moldavian language
Russian language
Gagauz language

Literacy: (population over 15)

Total: 99.1%
male: 99.6%
female: 98.7% (2003 est.)

Moldova is a small state in southeastern Europe. This is one of the most colorful European countries with the richest cultural traditions. How many permanent residents is the population of Moldova today? And what percentage of them live in cities? You will find answers to these questions in our article.

The population of Moldova and its size

According to the most recent demographic data, about 3.5 million people live in the Republic of Moldova. As you know, within the country there is an autonomous entity - self-proclaimed, therefore, the population of Moldova is indicated here without taking into account the population of the PMR.

All countries are characterized by the same population decline, high mortality, and aging of the nation. The territory of Moldova is no exception, the population of which has been declining since the late 80s of the last century.

Perhaps the main reason in this country is the difficult socio-economic situation. Against the backdrop of negative natural growth, the population of Moldova is also actively declining due to powerful emigration flows abroad. Moldovans in search of a better life are sent to more prosperous European countries - to Italy, France, Portugal, Russia.

Key demographic indicators of the country: latest census

The years 2010-2015 in Moldova are characterized by a not so strong population decline compared to previous years.

In 2004 (October), the first serious and comprehensive population census was conducted on the territory of the state. As a result, reliable data were obtained on how many people live in Moldova, how many are abroad, what is the age, ethnic and gender structure of the country's population. It should be noted that this census was not carried out on the left bank of the Dniester.

According to the results of the census, the population of the country amounted to 3 million 383 thousand people. It was also found that about 8% of Moldovans are abroad (almost 90% of them are labor migrants). In terms of absolute figures, this number amounted to 367 thousand people.

The gender structure of the population of the Republic is dominated by women (51.9%) - such data is provided to us by the conducted population census.

The year 2010 in Moldova was distinguished by a slight decrease in the rate of population decline. How it has changed in the last fifty years will be discussed in the next section.

Population dynamics in Moldova

How has the population of Moldova changed over the past 50 years?

Until the end of the 1980s, the population of Moldova steadily increased. So, over a 30-year period (from 1959 to 1989), the number of inhabitants of the country increased by more than one million people! In percentage terms, population growth was almost 40%.

After 1989, the population of Moldova began to decline rapidly. So, if in 1989 there were 3.65 million inhabitants in the state, then in 2014 there were already 3.56 million. More clearly Moldova can be seen on the following chart.

Population by district and overall level of urbanization in the country

How is the urban and rural population of Moldova distributed? About 61% of Moldovans, according to the 2004 census, live in urban areas, and 39% - in villages. Thus, Moldova is rightly considered the most "rural" country in Europe.

Which districts of the Republic of Moldova are leading in terms of population?

The administrative-territorial structure of the country includes 32 districts and 5 municipalities. In terms of the number of inhabitants in the country, the following districts are in the lead: Hincheshtsky (120 thousand), Cahulsky (119 thousand), Orhei (116 thousand), Ungensky (110 thousand).

Ethnic and linguistic composition of the population

The national composition of the population of Moldova, according to the last census, is as follows: about 76% of the population are Moldovans, and their number has grown by almost 6% since the country's independence. They are followed by Ukrainians (8.4%), Russians (5.9%), Gagauzes (4.4%), Romanians (2.2%) and Bulgarians (about 2%). There are only about 12 thousand Gypsies in Moldova (0.36%). Despite this, Moldova is often mistakenly called the "Gypsy" country of Europe.

The ethnic structure of the country's population clearly reflects the results of the processes that have taken place in Moldovan society over the past 15-20 years. Thus, the percentage of Slavic ethnic groups (Ukrainians, Russians) has decreased over the past 20 years, while the number of Romanians and Gagauz, on the contrary, has increased.

One more curious feature should be noted: Russians and Ukrainians in Moldova live mainly in large cities, while Moldovans, Bulgarians and Gagauz live in rural areas.

99.6% of the 3.5 million people living on the territory of the Republic of Moldova are its citizens. At the same time, over 5,000 residents of the country, according to the 2004 census, do not have citizenship at all.

The linguistic situation in the country is extremely varied. So, during the 2004 census, respondents were asked two questions:

  1. What language do you consider your native language?
  2. What language is the main language of your communication in everyday life?

So, about 78% of the inhabitants of Moldova called the Moldavian language their native language, 19% - Romanian, about 2.5% - Russian. At the same time, Moldovan is the main language of communication for only 59% of Moldovans. Another 16% of the country's inhabitants communicate in Romanian and Russian, about 4% - in Ukrainian, about 3% - in Gagauz. True, it should be noted that the differences between the Moldovan and Romanian languages ​​are very insignificant, and this division is more of a political nature than a linguistic one.

Religion in Moldova

Moldova is officially the most believing and most Orthodox country in Europe. Over 93% of the inhabitants of this country consider themselves Orthodox Christians. Next come Baptists (about 1 percent), Adventists and Pentecostals (0.4 percent each).

There are not so many atheists in Moldova - only 76 thousand people (this is a little more than two percent of the total population of the country).

Finally...

The Republic of Moldova is a small state in the southwestern part of Europe. About 3.5 million people live within its borders, more than 300 thousand Moldovans are abroad.

The urban and rural population of Moldova is distributed over its territory more or less evenly. Thus, about 61% of the country's inhabitants are city dwellers, and 39% live in rural areas. For Moldova, as well as for other countries of the post-Soviet space, the following demographic problems are typical: low birth rate, high mortality rates, aging of the nation (as a result of the first two factors), as well as a significant outflow of young people to other European states.

The population of Moldova is over 3.5 million people.

National composition:

  • Moldovans (65%);
  • Ukrainians;
  • Russians;
  • other nations (Romanians, Bulgarians, Gagauz, Jews).

Moldovans inhabit mainly the northern and central regions of the country; Russians and Ukrainians came to Moldova after the Second World War and live mainly in cities, while the rest of the peoples settled in the south of the country in rural areas.

There are 111 people per 1 sq. km, but the densely populated areas are Ungheni, Cahul, Orhei, and the sparsely populated are Bessarab, Taraclia, Dubossary.

The official language is Moldovan, but Russian, Romanian and Ukrainian are widely spoken in Moldova.

Large cities: Chisinau, Tigina, Tiraspol, Balti, Bender, Cahul, Rybnitsa.

Most residents of Moldova profess Orthodox Christianity.

Lifespan

The male population lives on average up to 67, and the female population lives up to 75 years. In recent years, Moldova has managed to increase the average life expectancy of the population by reducing the level of general and infant mortality.

The main causes of death of the population are cardiovascular, pulmonary, oncological and diseases of the circulatory system. The causes of many diseases of Moldovans lie in malnutrition (they consume a lot of sugar, salt and fats), sedentary lifestyle, and bad habits. Because of all this, there is a delay in the physical development of children under 5 years old (6% of children) in the country: many of them have anemia and iodine deficiency in the body.

Traditions and customs of the inhabitants of Moldova

The traditions of Moldova relate to various areas of activity of Moldovans (music, dance, winemaking, the work of folk craftsmen).

Traditional arts are widespread in Moldova, especially pottery: ceramics are used for storage and cooking. These products have an original ornament - jugs, pots and other products in Moldova are decorated with lines, dots and circles.

If you are lucky enough to visit Moldova, you should definitely buy hand embroidery - clothes, towels, tablecloths or curtains (Moldovan embroidery is distinguished by a special color scheme and patterned themes).

Pre-wedding Moldovan traditions are of interest: before preparing for the wedding, future newlyweds should exchange rings in the presence of loved ones, but only if they manage to find them in a plate of wheat after 3 attempts.

Moldova loves holidays, especially Wine Day (October 2nd Sunday) - at this time, numerous guests of the country come here to have fun, take part in the entertainment carnival and taste wine.

Moldovans are hospitable people, and when you come to Moldova, you will be able to get acquainted with them and their interesting traditions (you will be warmly welcomed, offered to drink Moldovan wine and taste delicious dishes prepared by the hostess of the house).