The Demographic Profile of Chișinău Municipality: An Important Tool for Local Authorities to Improve People’s Quality of Life

Chișinău has a young population, with people aged 25-45 the largest group, yet it faces demographic ageing and every fifth resident intends to leave the country within three years. Natural population growth was negative in 2020-2021 (3.1‰ in 2021), and the total fertility rate is 1.27 children per woman. The employment rate for people aged 15-64 is 55.5% (66.9% for men, 48.0% for women), and 45% of workers struggle to combine work and family duties. There are 30 doctors per 10,000 residents, against 47 nationally, and early education has 102 children per 100 places.

The authors recommend higher wages, a better investment climate, flexible work arrangements, more access to nurseries and kindergartens, investment in healthcare, broader social assistance services and gender-sensitive policies and budgeting. The analysis draws on revised National Bureau of Statistics data and the Generations and Gender Survey.