Editing Moldova (section)

== Demographics ==
{{Main|Demographics of Moldova}}
The most up-to-date and reliable information is available from the [[National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova]]'s website which is continuously updated on a monthly and yearly basis. The most recent [[National Census|national census]] of Moldova was carried out in [[2024 Moldovan census|2024]] (not including [[Transnistria]]).

=== Overview ===
{{Pie chart
| value1 = 77.2
| color1 = DarkBlue
| value2 = 7.9
| color2 = Blue
| value3 = 4.9
| color3 = Red
| value4 = 4.2
| color4 = Yellow
| value5 = 3.2
| color5 = Orange
| value6 = 1.6
| color6 = Green
| value7 = 0.4
| color7 = Brown
| value8 = 0.5
| color8 = Magenta
| label1 = [[Moldovans]]
| label2 = [[Romanians]]
| label3 = [[Ukrainians]]
| label4 = [[Gagauzians]]
| label5 = [[Russians]]
| label6 = [[Bulgarians]]
| label7 = [[Romani people|Romani]]
| label8 = Others
| caption = Population of Moldova according to ethnic group
| footer = Source: [[2024 Moldovan census]].
}}Moldova has an estimated population of approx. 2,423,300 {{as of|2024|1|1|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://statistica.gov.md/en/statistic_indicator_details/25 |title=Population |publisher=National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova |access-date=13 August 2024}}</ref> Moldova is relatively urbanised, with 43.4% of Moldovans living in urban areas {{as of|2022|lc=y}} and an urbanisation rate of 0.09%.<ref>{{Citation |title=Moldova |date=31 July 2023 |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/moldova/ |work=[[The World Factbook]] |access-date=3 August 2023 |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |language=en |archive-date=5 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105015457/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/moldova/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=World Bank Open Data |url=https://data.worldbank.org/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=World Bank Open Data |archive-date=26 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526025607/https://data.worldbank.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> About one-third of the Moldovan population live in the capital city [[Chișinău]]'s [[Metropolis of Chișinău and All Moldova|metropolitan area]]. {{as of|2022|lc=n}}, the country's population density is 82.8 inhabitants per 1&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, and average life expectancy was 71.5 years (67.2 for males, and 75.7 for females).<ref name="National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova">{{Cite web |date= |title=Moldova in Figures, Statistical Summary: 2023 Edition |url=https://statistica.gov.md/files/files/publicatii_electronice/Moldova_in_cifre/2023/Moldova_cifre_eng_2023.pdf |access-date=3 August 2023 |publisher=[[National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova]] |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803180408/https://statistica.gov.md/files/files/publicatii_electronice/Moldova_in_cifre/2023/Moldova_cifre_eng_2023.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> There are 100 women per 90 men in Moldova, and employed women have significantly higher levels of education, though women continued to earn 13.6% less than men on average.<ref name="National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova" /> The number of elderly people (60 years and over) per 100 inhabitants in Moldova has increased year-on-year.<ref name="National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova" /> The national language is [[Romanian language|Romanian]], a [[Romance languages|Romance language]], though approximately 15% of the Moldovan population also speak Russian {{as of|2014|lc=y}}.

The country has been suffering from long-term population decline due to high levels of [[Emigration from Moldova|emigration]] (in 2022, 43,000 more people left the country than came) as well as low fertility rates. According to [[Balkan Insight]], the population has fallen by almost 33% since 1990, and by 2035 the total population may be half what it was in 1990.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Judah |first=Tim |date=16 January 2020 |title=Moldova Faces 'Existential' Population Crisis |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2020/01/16/moldova-faces-existential-population-crisis/ |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=[[Balkan Insight]] |language=en-US |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162502/https://balkaninsight.com/2020/01/16/moldova-faces-existential-population-crisis/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Since 2018, the number of deaths has exceeded the levels of live-births, though the gap has been reduced since 2021. {{as of|2022|lc=n}}, the average number of children per women of childbearing age was 1.69, well below the [[replacement rate]] of 2.1, as compared to 1.78 in 2019. The total number of deaths fell by 20.5% in 2022 compared to 2019. Unemployment has remained low at about 3% in 2022.<ref name="National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova" />

According to the [[2024 Moldovan census|2024 national census]], ethnic [[Moldovans]] made up approx. 77% of the country's population, while [[Romanians]] (8%), [[Ukrainians]] (5%), [[Gagauz people|Gagauzians]] (4%), and [[Russians]] (3%) made up the most substantial ethnic minorities. Smaller populations include [[Bulgarians]], [[Romania|Romani]], [[Belarusians]], Jews, and [[Polish people|Poles]].

=== Language ===
{{Further|Languages of Moldova}}
{{as of|2023|03|lc=n}}, the only [[official language]] of Moldova is Romanian, and all references to the Moldovan language in the [[Constitution of Moldova|constitution]] and legal bills have been amended to refer to Romanian.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fremer |first=Iana |date=24 April 2023 |title=Moldova: New Law Establishes Romanian as the State Language of the Country |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2023-04-23/moldova-new-law-establishes-romanian-as-the-state-language-of-the-country/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=[[Library of Congress]] |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803180405/https://www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2023-04-23/moldova-new-law-establishes-romanian-as-the-state-language-of-the-country/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=17 March 2023 |title=Moldovan Parliament Approves Final Reading Of Romanian Language Bill |language=en |work=[[RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty]] |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-parliament-approves-final-reading-romanian-language-bill/32321571.html |access-date=3 August 2023 |archive-date=17 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317223413/https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-parliament-approves-final-reading-romanian-language-bill/32321571.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The 2014 Moldovan census for the first time collected information about the languages spoken by residents in Moldova. There is a [[Controversy over ethnic and linguistic identity in Moldova|controversy]] about whether or not [[Moldovan language|Moldovan]] and [[Romanian language|Romanian]] should be considered distinct languages. Counting together, it is the mother tongue of 80.4% of the population. The Moldovan government rejects any distinction, however the census allowed for respondents to respond with their preferred label. The results of the 2024 census were [[Moldovan language|Moldovan]] (49.2%), [[Romanian language|Romanian]] (31.3%), [[Russian language|Russian]] (11.1%), [[Gagauz language|Gagauz]] (3.8%), [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]] (2.9%), [[Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]] (1.2%), [[Romani language|Romani]] (0.3), and others (0.2%).

=== Diaspora and emigration ===
{{Further|Moldovan diaspora}}{{See also|Emigration from Moldova}}
Emigration is a mass phenomenon in Moldova and has a major impact on the country's [[demographics]] and economy. It is estimated that more than between 1.2 and 2 million Moldovan citizens (over 25% of the population) are living and working abroad.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bunguri |first=Ernest |date=15 November 2020 |title=Moldova: How the diaspora keeps Europe's poorest nation afloat |url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/11/15/moldova-how-the-diaspora-of-europe-s-poorest-nation-keeps-its-economy-afloat |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=[[Euronews]] |language=en |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803180405/https://www.euronews.com/2020/11/15/moldova-how-the-diaspora-of-europe-s-poorest-nation-keeps-its-economy-afloat |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=17 May 2023 |title=Moldova: unleashing diaspora potential |url=https://www.mieux-initiative.eu/en/news-events/news/313-moldova-unlocking-diaspora-potential#:~:text=Furthermore%2C%20Moldova%20has%20some%20of,high%20priority%20for%20the%20government. |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=Mieux Initiative |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802105259/https://www.mieux-initiative.eu/en/news-events/news/313-moldova-unlocking-diaspora-potential#:~:text=Furthermore%2C%20Moldova%20has%20some%20of,high%20priority%20for%20the%20government. |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Moldovan economy is still heavily reliant on their remittance payments. Moldovans are found across the [[Balkans|Balkan]] region, Western Europe, and North America. Among the most notable Moldovan [[diaspora]] populations are: 285,000 in [[Romania]] (2020), 258,600 in [[Ukraine]] (2002) 156,400 in Russia (2010), 188,923 in Italy (2019), 122,000 in Germany (2022), 26,300 in France (2019), and 20,470 in Canada (2021).

Current trends indicate that the population of Moldova will continue to fall with emigration remaining both chronic and higher than immigration or natural birth rates. In 2020, net emigration fell to a low of 7,000 {{Clarify|reason=Shouldn't there be some mention of the impact of the worldwide pandemic in 2020 on emigration numbers?|date=January 2025}}, but by 2022, 43,000 more people left the country than came, though this is slightly down from net emigration of 45,000 in 2021. [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia's invasion]] of neighbouring Ukraine and the economic impact on Moldova may have been a key contributing factor in the rise from 2020 to 2022. However, there are indications that the invasion of Ukraine and the country's moves towards [[Accession of Moldova to the European Union|accession to the European Union]] may have led to a rise in the number of Moldovan emigrants returning to their country of birth, seeking to help the country join the EU.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Ceapai |first1=Alla |last2=Jankowiak |first2=Celine |date=31 May 2023 |title=Returning Young Moldovan Diaspora Powers EU Membership Dream |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/returning-young-moldovan-diaspora-powers-eu-membership-dream-ac5f9935 |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=[[Barron's (newspaper)|Barron's]] |language=en-US |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803180409/https://www.barrons.com/news/returning-young-moldovan-diaspora-powers-eu-membership-dream-ac5f9935 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Moldovan diaspora also had significant influence on recent Moldovan elections, voting overwhelmingly for [[Maia Sandu]] as president in [[2020 Moldovan presidential election|2020]] and for her [[Party of Action and Solidarity]] in the [[2021 Moldovan parliamentary election|2021 parliamentary election]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wemer |first=David |date=4 December 2020 |title=Moldova's diaspora flexes its political muscles |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/moldovas-diaspora-flexes-its-political-muscles/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=[[Atlantic Council]] |language=en-US |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803180406/https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/moldovas-diaspora-flexes-its-political-muscles/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Religion ===
{{Further|Religion in Moldova}}
[[File:Nativity Cathedral - Moldova (by David Stanley).jpg|thumb|[[Nativity Cathedral, Chișinău|Nativity Cathedral, Chişinău]]. [[Metropolis of Chișinău and All Moldova|Moldovan Orthodox Church]].]]
Moldova's constitution provides for freedom of religion and complete separation of church and state, though the constitution cites the "exceptional importance" of [[Eastern Orthodox Christianity]].<ref name="United States Department of State-2">{{Cite web |title=2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Moldova |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/moldova/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=[[United States Department of State]] |language=en-US |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803190415/https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/moldova/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Religious discrimination|Discrimination]] on the basis of religious affiliation is illegal, and [[Hate speech|incitement to religious and ethnic hatred]] was made illegal in May 2022.<ref name="United States Department of State-2" /> Religion in Moldova is dominated by the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] branch of Christianity. According to the 2014 Moldovan census, 90% of the country reported to be of the Eastern Orthodox Christian faith.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 August 2013 |title=Population and Housing Census in the Republic of Moldova, May 12–25, 2014 |url=https://statistica.gov.md/en/population-and-housing-census-in-2014-122.html |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=[[National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova]] |language=en |archive-date=17 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917105214/https://statistica.gov.md/en/population-and-housing-census-in-2014-122.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Of this number, approx. 80–90% of Orthodox Moldovans belong to the Moldovan Orthodox Church (formally known as [[Metropolis of Chișinău and All Moldova]]) which is subordinate to the [[Russian Orthodox Church]], and has played a powerful role in deepening Russia's influence in Moldova.<ref name="United States Department of State-2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Luchenko |first=Ksenia |date=31 January 2023 |title=Why the Russian Orthodox Church Supports the War in Ukraine |url=https://carnegieendowment.org/russia-eurasia/politika/2023/01/why-the-russian-orthodox-church-supports-the-war-in-ukraine?lang=en |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=[[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]] |archive-date=15 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815200635/https://carnegieendowment.org/politika/88916 |url-status=live }}</ref> The remaining 10–20% of Orthodox Moldovans belong to the [[Metropolis of Bessarabia]], which is subordinate to the [[Romanian Orthodox Church]].<ref name="United States Department of State-2" />

Of the non-Orthodox population of Moldova, the [[United States Department of State]] estimates that {{as of|2022|lc=y}}, approx. 7% identify with no religion; [[Baptists]], [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], and [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostals]] number between 15,000 and 30,000 each; the [[Jewish Community of the Republic of Moldova]] organisation estimates the Jewish population to be approx. 20,000; and the Islamic League of Moldova (an NGO recognised by the [[Ministry of Justice (Moldova)|Moldovan Ministry of Justice]] in 2011 as representing [[Islam in Moldova|Moldovan Muslims]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 April 2011 |title=Moldovan Muslim Leader 'Disappointed' By Anti-Islamic Remarks |language=en |work=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/moldovan_muslims_orthodox_church/16797096.html |access-date=3 August 2023 |archive-date=10 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310182825/http://www.rferl.org/content/moldovan_muslims_orthodox_church/16797096.html |url-status=live }}</ref>) estimates the number of Muslims to be approx. 15,000–17,000.<ref name="United States Department of State-2" /> There are six [[List of synagogues in Moldova|synagogues]] in [[Metropolis of Chișinău and All Moldova|Chișinău]], one in [[Orhei]], one in [[Soroca]], and one in [[Tiraspol]], and one mosque in [[Metropolis of Chișinău and All Moldova|Chișinău]]. The remaining less than 5% of the Moldovan population are [[Seventh-day Adventist Church|Seventh-day Adventists]], [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Christians]], [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholics]], [[Lutheranism|Lutherans]], and [[Atheism|atheists]].<ref name="United States Department of State-2" /> The [[Government of Transnistria|Transnistrian authorities]] estimate that 80% of the population belong to the Moldovan Orthodox Church.<ref name="United States Department of State-2" />

=== Health and fertility ===
{{Further|Health in Moldova|Healthcare in Moldova}}{{Pie chart
| value1 = 58
| value2 = 15.8
| value3 = 13.9
| value4 = 7.5
| value5 = 4.8
| label1 = [[Cardiovascular disease|Diseases of the circulatory system]]
| label2 = [[Cancer|Cancerous tumours]]
| label3 = Other causes
| label4 = [[Gastrointestinal disease|Diseases of the digestive tract]]
| label5 = External causes
| caption = Structure of deaths by major classes of causes of death in 2022
}}Moldova provides [[Universal health care|universal healthcare]] through a [[mandatory health insurance]] scheme. According to the most recent 2022 official data, per 10,000 inhabitants there are 48.4 doctors and 91 units of average medical staff.<ref name="National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova" /> Approx. 53% of those aged 16 and over in urban areas described their own health as 'good' or 'very good', compared to approx. 33% of people of the same age in rural areas.<ref name="National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova" /> The country has 86 hospitals, 1,524 [[Pharmacy (shop)|pharmacies]] and branches, 12,600 physicians, 23,687 [[paramedic]]al personnel, and 17,293 [[hospital bed]]s. Moldova spends 6% of its annual GDP on health care, up from 4.9% in 2019.

As of 2022 the average life expectancy was 71.5 years (67.2 for males, and 75.7 for females), slightly lower than comparable countries such as [[Albania]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Latvia]], and Ukraine. The number of elderly people (aged 60 years and over) per 100 inhabitants in Moldova has increased year-on-year. The [[total fertility rate]] per woman in 2022 was 1.69, a fall from 1.78 in 2019, and below the replacement rate of 2.1. There were 10.6 [[Live birth rate|live births]] per 1,000 inhabitants in 2022, a drop from 12.2 in 2019, and 14.2 deaths per 1,000 inhabitants, an increase from 13.7 in 2019 but a significant fall from 17.5 in 2019. [[Infant mortality]] per 1,000 live-births was 9.0, a slight increase on 8.7 in 2020.

The overall number of deaths in 2022 fell by 20.5% compared to 2021.<ref name="National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova" /> According to the National Agency for Public Health, the major causes of death in 2022 were [[Cardiovascular disease|diseases of the circulatory system]] (58%), [[cancerous tumour]]s (15.8%), [[Gastrointestinal disease|diseases of the digestive tract]] (7.5%), external causes (4.8%), and other causes (13.9%).<ref name="National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova" /> More specifically, the leading causes of death in 2019 were [[Coronary artery disease|Ischaemic heart disease]], strokes, [[hypertensive heart disease]], [[cirrhosis]] of the liver, and trachea, bronchus, and lung cancers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 December 2020 |title=Republic of Moldova data {{!}} World Health Organization |url=https://data.who.int/countries/498 |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=[[World Health Organization]] |language=en |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162056/https://data.who.int/countries/498 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 19 December 2016, the Moldovan parliament approved raising the retirement age to 63 years<ref>{{cite web |last=CNBC |date=19 December 2016 |title=Europe's poorest nation passes IMF-backed retirement age increase |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/19/europes-poorest-nation-passes-imf-backed-retirement-age-increase.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803132504/https://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/19/europes-poorest-nation-passes-imf-backed-retirement-age-increase.html |archive-date=3 August 2017 |access-date=3 August 2017 |website=Cnbc.com}}</ref> from the current level of 57 for women and 62 for men, a reform that is part of a 3-year-old assistance programme agreed with the [[International Monetary Fund]]. The retirement age will be lifted gradually by a few months every year until it is fully in effect in 2028.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 December 2016 |title=Moldovan MPs approve IMF-backed retirement age increase |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-moldova-pensions-idUSKBN1481PE |access-date=3 August 2023 |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803180408/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-moldova-pensions-idUSKBN1481PE |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Education ===
As of the academic year 2022/23, Moldova had 1,218 primary and secondary schools, 90 vocational schools, and 21 higher education institutions, as well as 12 [[Private university|private]] higher education institutions.<ref name="National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Studying in Moldova |url=https://moldova-consulate.km.ua/en/about-moldova/studying-in-moldova/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Moldova in Khmelnytsky |language=en-GB |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802102942/https://moldova-consulate.km.ua/en/about-moldova/studying-in-moldova/ |url-status=live }}</ref> There were a total of 437,000 pupils and students. {{as of|2015|lc=n}}, [[Romania]] allocates 5,000 scholarships in high schools and universities for Moldovan students.<ref>{{cite web |date=22 June 2015 |title=România oferă tinerilor moldoveni 5.000 de burse în licee și universități |url=http://www.publika.md/romania-ofera-tinerilor-moldoveni-5000-de-burse-in-licee-si-universitati-_2337811.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708164835/http://www.publika.md/romania-ofera-tinerilor-moldoveni-5000-de-burse-in-licee-si-universitati-_2337811.html |archive-date=8 July 2015 |access-date=7 July 2015 |work=PUBLIKA.MD |language=ro}}</ref> Likewise, more than half of preschool children in Moldova benefit from Romania funded programme to renovate and equip [[kindergarten]]s.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 July 2015 |title=Presedintele Klaus Iohannis l-a primit, la Suceava, pe Nicolae Timofti: "Republica Moldova isi poate implini destinul doar in Uniunea Europeana. Combaterea coruptiei, stabilitatea economica si intarirea institutiilor, singura cale catre succes" |url=http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-esential-20282257-presedintele-klaus-iohannis-primit-suceava-nicolae-timofti.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708175341/http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-esential-20282257-presedintele-klaus-iohannis-primit-suceava-nicolae-timofti.htm |archive-date=8 July 2015 |access-date=7 July 2015 |work=HotNews.ro |language=ro}}</ref> Almost all the population is literate: the [[literacy rate]] of the population aged 15 and over is estimated at 99.6%.<ref>{{Citation |title=Moldova – The World Factbook |date=31 July 2023 |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/moldova/ |work=[[The World Factbook]] |access-date=3 August 2023 |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |language=en |archive-date=5 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105015457/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/moldova/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:State University of Moldova main building entrance.jpg|thumb|Main building entrance of the [[Moldova State University]]]]
The main higher education institutions in Moldova are the [[Moldova State University]] (est. 1946) and the [[Academy of Sciences of Moldova]] (est. 1961), both of which are located in [[Chișinău]]. The [[Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova]] (est. 1991) has featured on the [[Times Higher Education World University Rankings]] and has educated a number of national leaders including current [[President of Moldova]] [[Maia Sandu]] and leader of the opposition [[Igor Dodon]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 October 2021 |title=Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/academy-economic-studies-moldova |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref> Other important universities include the [[Ion Creangă State Pedagogical University of Chișinău]] (est. 1940), [[Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy]] (est. 1945), and the [[Technical University of Moldova]] (est. 1964). Women account for 59.1% of students in higher education, and 70.1% of all foreign students in [[Postgraduate education|doctoral programmes]] in Moldova. 32.3% of employed women in Moldova have received higher education, compared to 24.5% of men, and 16.9% specialised secondary education compared to 11.3% of men.<ref name="National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova" />

=== Regional differences and tensions ===
{{See also|Transnistria conflict|Gagauzia|Unification of Moldova and Romania}}
[[File:Transnistria Tank Bender.JPG|thumb|Tank in [[Bender, Moldova]]]]

Since independence, Moldova characterised by a substantial range of profound regional differences across its internationally recognised territory. Since [[Independence Day of the Republic of Moldova|independence]], the country has struggled with issues of national identity, geopolitical strategy, and alliances, often torn between [[Romania]] and the [[European Union]] to the west and the [[Russian Federation]] to the east. Most notably, in eastern Moldova is the unrecognised breakaway state of [[Transnistria]], which lies on the eastern bank of the [[Dniester]] river and borders [[Ukraine]], which has pursued close diplomatic, military, and economic ties with Russia [[Transnistria War|since 1992]], with more than a thousand Russian soldiers stationed in the region. This has proved particularly difficult following [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia's invasion of Ukraine]] in 2022, as Transnistria's position on Ukraine's south-western flank and its hosting of more than a thousand Russian soldiers poses a potential threat to Ukraine's war efforts. The European Union's [[High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy]] [[Josep Borrell]] has confirmed that the pathway to accession does not depend upon a resolution of the [[Transnistria conflict]].<ref name="RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty"/>
There is further the issue of the autonomous territorial unit of [[Gagauzia]]. The [[Gagauz people]] are a [[Turkic languages|Turkic-speaking]] people spread between southern Moldova and the south-west of Ukraine. While their exact origin is considered obscure, they have a strong sense of ethnic identity distinct from that of Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine, with a [[Gagauz language|distinctive language]] and cultural traditions. They are nevertheless a heavily [[Russification|Russified]] group.<ref name="Harrington-2023" /> Support for integration with Romania and the European Union is substantially lower among Gagauzians than among the broader Moldovan population. In 2014, shortly before the Republic of Moldova signed its EU Association Agreement, nearly 99 per cent of Gagauzians voted in a referendum "to reject closer links with Europe in favour of joining the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union."<ref name="Harrington-2022">{{Cite news |last=Harrington |first=Keith |date=19 August 2022 |title=On 'Republic' Anniversary, Moldova's Gagauz Look to Moscow, and Chisinau |work=[[Balkan Insight]] |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2022/08/19/on-republic-anniversary-moldovas-gagauz-look-to-moscow-and-chisinau/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |archive-date=6 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106183510/https://balkaninsight.com/2022/08/19/on-republic-anniversary-moldovas-gagauz-look-to-moscow-and-chisinau/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2015, "just over half of Gagauzians voted for the Russian-backed socialist candidate [[Irina Vlah|Irina Vlakh]] as governor."<ref name="Harrington-2022" /> Gagauzia continues to represent a serious challenge both to Moldova's territorial sovereignty and political stability due to Russia's systemic involvement in the region, especially by backing pro-Russian local parties and leadership candidates.<ref name="Harrington-2023">{{Cite web |last=Harrington |first=Keith |date=6 April 2023 |title=ECMI Minorities Blog. Gagauzia's Response to Russia's Invasion of Ukraine |url=https://www.ecmi.de/infochannel/detail/gagauzias-response-to-russias-invasion-of-ukraine |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=[[European Centre for Minority Issues]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Chapple |first=Amos |date=24 March 2023 |title=In Moldova's Pro-Russian Gagauzia Region, Old Loyalties Die Hard |language=en |work=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/gagauzia-moldova-war-russia-ukraine/32329617.html |access-date=3 August 2023 |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802232122/https://www.rferl.org/a/gagauzia-moldova-war-russia-ukraine/32329617.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[European Centre for Minority Issues]] has also highlighted the role of supposedly-neutral NGO groups in Gagauzia as a new front in Russia's [[Hybrid warfare|hybrid-war]] against both Moldova and Ukraine.<ref name="Harrington-2023" /> The region's current local leader, [[Evghenia Guțul]], in July 2023 thanked the fugitive Moldovan [[Oligarchy|oligarch]] [[Ilan Shor]], leader of the outlawed Moldovan pro-Russian opposition [[Șor Party]], for his personal and financial support and his "willingness to do what it takes so that we may fulfil our election promises", and expressed a desire for deeper diplomatic ties with Russia.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tanas |first=Alexander |date=20 July 2023 |title=New head of Moldovan region thanks exiled patron, backs Russia ties |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/new-leader-moldovan-region-thanks-exiled-patron-backs-ties-with-russia-2023-07-20/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803194444/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/new-leader-moldovan-region-thanks-exiled-patron-backs-ties-with-russia-2023-07-20/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

There is also [[Controversy over ethnic and linguistic identity in Moldova|substantial controversy]] over ethnic and linguistic identity in Moldova concerning whether the [[Moldovan language]] and [[Moldovans|Moldovan people]] constitute separate linguistic and ethnic groups to the [[Romanian language]] and Romanian people. The possibility of the [[unification of Moldova and Romania]] has remained a popular topic in both countries since Moldova's independence in 1991. Romania and Moldova enjoy exceptionally strong [[Moldova–Romania relations|diplomatic relations]]. Romania supports Moldova's rapid accession to the European Union, provides vast economic assistance to Moldova's struggling economy, and provided up to 90% of Moldova's energy needs via discounted capped prices as Moldova sought to reduce its reliance on Russian oil and natural gas.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 November 2022 |title=Romania provides 80%–90% of Moldova's energy needs- minister |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/romania-provides-80-90-moldovas-energy-needs-minister-2022-11-21/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803180408/https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/romania-provides-80-90-moldovas-energy-needs-minister-2022-11-21/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Spaic-Kovacic |first=David |date=21 June 2023 |title=Romania supports Moldova's EU accession talks, expects 2023 start |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/romania-supports-moldovas-eu-accession-talks-expects-2023-start/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=[[Euractiv]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803180409/https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/romania-supports-moldovas-eu-accession-talks-expects-2023-start/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Relations have strengthened further since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 March 2023 |title=Moldova and Romania vow to boost ties amid war in Ukraine |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/moldova-romania-vow-boost-ties-amid-war-ukraine-2023-03-01/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705105229/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/moldova-romania-vow-boost-ties-amid-war-ukraine-2023-03-01/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Up to 74% of the Romanian public and more than 40% of the Moldovan public would support Moldova being integrated into Romania in one form or another, though most in either country believe that 'now is not the right time'.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sánchez |first=Wilder Alejandro |date=12 February 2023 |title=Opinion – Moldova and Romania's Unification is Not on the Horizon |url=https://www.e-ir.info/2023/02/12/opinion-moldova-and-romanias-unification-is-not-on-the-horizon/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=E-International Relations |language=en-US |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803180406/https://www.e-ir.info/2023/02/12/opinion-moldova-and-romanias-unification-is-not-on-the-horizon/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A 2022 survey during the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] indicated that only 11% of Romania's population supports an immediate union, while over 42% think it is not the moment.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nahoi |first1=Ovidiu |date=24 March 2022 |title=Sondaj: patriotismul românilor în context de război |language=ro |work=RFI România: Actualitate, informaţii, ştiri în direct |url=https://www.rfi.ro/social-143799-sondaj-patriotism-romani-context-razboi |access-date=28 March 2022 |archive-date=27 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327101445/https://www.rfi.ro/social-143799-sondaj-patriotism-romani-context-razboi |url-status=dead }}</ref>