Download PDFDemographic problems of the Republic of Moldova.
Author
Keywords
Republic of Moldova, Transdniester area, demographic situation
Abstract
Almost all European postcommunist countries have experienced a worsening demographic situation since 1989. The Republic of Moldova finds itself in a similar predicament although a complicated internal situation makes emographic conditions much worse than that of the remaining postcommunist countries. There are several reasons which account for this state of affairs: (1) cultural similarity to neighbouring and richer Romania which facilitates emigration of young people; (2) a very bad economic situation which counteracts procreation and increases the mortality rate and emigration; (3) the presence of Russian troops in the Transdniester area which destabilizes the country and discourages potential foreign investors. The bad situation the Republic of Moldova is in may be illustrated by vague population estimates. Officially, the population in 2003 stood at 4.2 million. If the population of the Transdniester area is deducted then the number drops to 3.6 million. Furthermore, if one considers emigration figures concerning those who have left the country to earn their living abroad (not shown by the official statistics) - the final estimate is around 3.3 million.
