Moldova (Republic of Moldova)

Moldova Republic of Moldova
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	61st best
Capital	Chisinau
Land Area	32 854km21
Location	Europe
Population	4.1m2
Life Expectancy	68.85yrs (2017)3
GNI	$14 875 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	MD, MDA, 4985
Internet Domain	.md6
Currency	Leu (MDL)7
Telephone	+3738

1. Overview
2. Moldova National and Social Development
3. Moldova's Demographics and Migration
4. Moldova's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
5. Moldova's Health
6. Moldova's Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. Moldova's Modernity and Learning
8. Moldova's Culture, Peace and Inequality
9. Religion and Beliefs
10. Links

---

1. Overview

#romania #russia #ukraine

“Part of Romania during the interwar period, Moldova was incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although the country has been independent from the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Nistru River supporting a Transnistrian separatist region composed of a Slavic majority population (mostly Ukrainians and Russians), but with a sizeable ethnic Moldovan minority. One of the poorest nations in Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a Communist, Vladimir VORONIN, as its president in 2001. VORONIN served as Moldova's president until he resigned in September 2009, following the opposition's gain of a narrow majority in July parliamentary elections and the Communist Party's (PCRM) subsequent inability to attract the three-fifths of parliamentary votes required to elect a president. Four Moldovan opposition parties formed a new coalition, the Alliance for European Integration (AEI), which has acted as Moldova's governing coalition since. Moldova experienced significant political uncertainty between 2009 and early 2012, holding three general elections and numerous presidential ballots in parliament, all of which failed to secure a president. Following November 2010 parliamentary elections, a reconstituted AEI-coalition consisting of three of the four original AEI parties formed a government, and in March 2012 was finally able to elect an independent as president.”

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“Long-forgotten and little-known, Moldova struggles to throw off its post-communist trappings and reputation as one of the poorest nations in Europe. Only vaguely known in Europe and all but anonymous to the rest of the world, Moldova remains a mysterious and misunderstood land: part Romanian, part Russian, all Soviet. Once at the very edge of the USSR, Moldova has gone it alone since the early ´90s. Independence has been economically painful and Moldova has been racked by civil war between the central government and the secessionist Russian-speaking region known as Transdniestr, which continues to exist as a state within a state today.Moldova gets a tiny number of tourists and isn´t particularly well set up for travellers, but this is one of its greatest charms. Its out-of-the-way aspect makes travel in Moldova a challenge and an adventure, but the unhurried and timeless way of life, where there is always time to chat in the shade of summer´s fruit trees, are part of its appeal.

Sights may be few and far between in the gently undulating landscape, but look no further for adventure: this is Eastern Europe´s last unknown land.”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Moldova National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better Value11
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
77	Ukraine	0.773
78	Macedonia	0.770
79	China	0.768
80=	Moldova	0.767
80=	Palau	0.767
80=	Dominican Rep.	0.767
83	Cuba	0.764
84	Peru	0.762
	Europe Avg	0.87
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $11
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
77	Maldives	$15 448
78	Libya	$15 336
79	Bosnia & Herzegovina	$15 242
80	Moldova	$14 875
81	Georgia	$14 664
82	Colombia	$14 384
83	Brazil	$14 370
84	Azerbaijan	$14 257
	Europe Avg	$40 512
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index12
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank12
1	Denmark	27.0
2	Norway	29.9
3	Sweden	31.8
	...
58	Tunisia	76.2
59	Malaysia	76.6
60	Peru	77.4
61	Moldova	77.6
62	Bosnia & Herzegovina	77.7
63	Dominica	77.7
64	Andorra	77.8
65	Georgia	78.0
	Europe Avg	55.7
	World Avg	88.6
q=199.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Moldova's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen

Population:

Moldova's population is predicted to fall to 3 147 000 by 2030. This country has a fertility rate of 1.80. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate (two new children for each set of parents who die), which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₃

Population2
Pos.		2018 Population2
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
127	Panama	4.2m
128	Croatia	4.2m
129	Kuwait	4.1m
130	Moldova	4.1m
131	Georgia	4.0m
132	Eritrea	3.5m
133	Uruguay	3.4m
134	Bosnia & Herzegovina	3.3m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
127	Philippines	69.3
128	Turkmenistan	69.3
129	Guatemala	69.2
130	Moldova	68.8
131	Nepal	68.4
132	Laos	68.1
133	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	67.7
134	Sao Tome & Principe	67.6
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		202214
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
25	Romania	1.81
26	Mexico	1.80
27=	Montenegro	1.80
27=	Moldova	1.80
29	Bahrain	1.80
30	France	1.79
31	N. Korea	1.79
32	Malaysia	1.79
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better15
Pos.		2016 Per 10015
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
126	Costa Rica	22.6
127	Israel	22.9
128	Sri Lanka	23.7
129	Moldova	24.7
130	China	25.3
131	Mauritius	25.9
132	Uruguay	26.8
133	Cyprus	26.9
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

• The Population of the Earth
• Abortion, Birth Control and Contraception

Migration:

Immigrants16
Pos.		2017 %16
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
98	Togo	3.6%
99	Uzbekistan	3.6%
100	Rwanda	3.6%
101	Moldova	3.5%
102	Slovakia	3.4%
103	Turkmenistan	3.4%
104	Iran	3.3%
105	Kyrgyzstan	3.3%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants17
Pos.		2010 %17
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
23	St Lucia	23.3%
24	Macedonia	21.9%
25	Sao Tome & Principe	21.9%
26	Moldova	21.5%
27	Fiji	21.3%
28	Portugal	20.8%
29	Lesotho	20.5%
30	El Salvador	20.5%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Moldova's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#antisemitism #equality #freedom #freethought #gender #gender_equality #homosexuality #human_rights #international_law #mass_media #misogyny #moldova #morals #politics #prejudice #religious_tolerance #slavery #tolerance #women

Compared to Europe (2025)18
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank18
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
	...
40	Albania	73.6
41	Bosnia & Herzegovina	76.0
42	Georgia	76.4
43	Armenia	78.5
44	Moldova	80.6
45	Turkey	87.4
46	Belarus	95.7
47	Azerbaijan	100.8
48	Kosovo	102.5
	Europe Avg	47.37
q=48.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)18
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank18
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
	...
84	St Kitts & Nevis	79.1
85	El Salvador	79.5
86	Philippines	79.6
87	Moldova	80.6
88	Palau	80.7
89	Paraguay	80.8
90	Honduras	81.1
91	Suriname	81.5
	World Avg	86.55
q=199.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, Denmark and Norway₁₉. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, N. Korea and Afghanistan₁₉.

21 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on supporting press freedom, eliminating modern slavery, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms, its average Freedom in the World rating, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, opposing gender inequality, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators), the year from which women could participate in democracy, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice, LGBT equality and freethought. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₁₉, whereas the worst are Africa, The Middle East and Asia₁₉.

For more, see:

• " Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Human Rights & Tolerance:

Press Freedom Higher is better20
Pos.		202520
1	Norway	92.31
2	Estonia	89.46
3	Netherlands	88.64
	...
32	Suriname	74.49
33	Slovenia	74.06
34	Armenia	73.96
35	Moldova	73.36
36	Costa Rica	73.09
37	Montenegro	72.83
38	Slovakia	71.93
39	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	71.79
	Europe Avg	70.63
	World Avg	54.65
q=179.

Moldova is one of only 19 countries who in 2025 had better press freedom than in the 2010s.

Slavery Lower is better21
Pos.		2018 % Victims21
1	Japan	0.03
2=	Canada	0.05
2=	Taiwan	0.05
	...
100	Armenia	0.53
101	Mozambique	0.54
102=	Russia	0.55
102=	Moldova	0.55
102=	Egypt	0.55
102=	Benin	0.55
106	Venezuela	0.56
107=	Haiti	0.56
	Europe Avg	0.38
	World Avg	0.65
q=167.

Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom Lower is better22
Pos.		2014 Rank22
1	Hong Kong	1
2	Switzerland	2
3	New Zealand	3
	...
66	Brunei	66
67	Serbia	67
68	Guatemala	68
69=	Moldova	69
69=	Namibia	69
71	Bolivia	71
72	Indonesia	72
73	Turkey	73
	Europe Avg	33.9
	World Avg	79.7
q=159.

Freedom in the World Lower is better
Pos.		2024 Score
1=	Norway	1.0
1=	Canada	1.0
1=	Cape Verde	1.0
	...
87	Peru	3.0
88=	Paraguay	3.0
88=	Malawi	3.0
88=	Moldova	3.0
88=	Montenegro	3.0
88=	Macedonia	3.0
88=	India	3.0
88=	Fiji	3.0
	Europe Avg	2.2
	World Avg	3.7
q=205.

Nominal Commitment to HR Higher is better23
Pos.		2009 Treaties23
1	Argentina	24
2=	Chile	23
2=	Costa Rica	23
	...
64	Greece	19
65=	Ireland	19
66	Lithuania	18
67=	Moldova	18
67=	Kyrgyzstan	18
67=	Philippines	18
67=	Algeria	18
67=	Malta	18
	Europe Avg	19.5
	World Avg	15.1
q=194.

HR Treaties Lag Lower is better24
Pos.		2019 Avg Yrs/Treaty24
1	Ecuador	2.15
2	Uruguay	2.25
3	Tunisia	3.65
	...
131	Central African Rep.	11.87
132	Thailand	11.89
133	Congo, (Brazzaville)	11.91
134	Moldova	11.99
135	Kyrgyzstan	12.04
136	Botswana	12.05
137	Estonia	12.06
138	Gambia	12.12
	Europe Avg	9.09
	World Avg	10.02
q=195.

Amnesty International's 2023-23 summary on human rights in Moldova stated:

“No visible progress was made in reducing instances of torture and other ill-treatment in detention. Impunity continued for past human rights violations by law enforcement agencies. New �€�temporary�€� restrictions on public assemblies were introduced. The rights of LGBTI people were not fully realized, leading to cases of harassment, discrimination and violence. Some refugee reception centres turned away religious and ethnic minority refugees. In the breakaway Transdniestria region, prosecution and imprisonment for peaceful dissent continued.”

"The State of the World's Human Rights 2022/23" by Amnesty International (2023)₂₅

Gender Equality:

Moldova is on the way towards ending gender inequality, even though women were prevented equal voting and standing rights until quite late.

See:

• "Religion Versus Womankind" by Vexen Crabtree (2007)

Gender Inequality Lower is better26
Pos.		202226
1	Denmark	0.01
2	Norway	0.01
3	Switzerland	0.02
	...
38	Bosnia & Herzegovina	0.14
39	Latvia	0.15
40	Malta	0.15
41	Moldova	0.17
42	Kazakhstan	0.18
43	Slovakia	0.18
44	Russia	0.18
45	USA	0.18
	Europe Avg	0.12
	World Avg	0.34
q=166.

Gender Biases Lower is better27
Pos.		2022 %27
1	Sweden	31.828
2	New Zealand	34.429
3	Australia	37.029
	...
36	S. Korea	89.929
37	Mexico	90.229
38	Belarus	90.428
39	Moldova	90.730
40	Colombia	91.229
41	Bolivia	91.329
42	Russia	91.429
43	Turkey	91.629
	Europe Avg	69.08
	World Avg	83.93
q=88.

Year Women Can Vote Lower is better
Pos.		Total Year
1	New Zealand	1893
2	Australia	1902
3	Finland	1906
	...
181	Namibia	1989
182	Samoa	1990
183	Kazakhstan	1993
184=	Moldova	1994
184=	Oman	1994
186	Qatar	2003
187	Kuwait	2005
188	Saudi Arabia	0
	Europe Avg	1895
	World Avg	1930
q=189.

Prejudice:

Anti-Semite Opinions Lower is better31
Pos.		2014 %31
1	Laos	0
2	Philippines	3
3	Sweden	4
	...
43=	Montenegro	29
43=	Spain	29
45	Venezuela	30
46=	Moldova	30
46=	Russia	30
46=	Bolivia	30
49	Georgia	32
50=	Kazakhstan	32
	Europe Avg	29.9
	World Avg	36.8
q=101.

LGBT Equality Higher is better32
Pos.		2017 Score32
1	Netherlands	103
2	Belgium	90
3	Sweden	86
	...
70=	Liechtenstein	25
70=	Macedonia	25
70=	Cape Verde	25
70=	Moldova	25
70=	Turkey	25
70=	Latvia	25
70=	Dominican Rep.	25
70=	Seychelles	25
	Europe Avg	46.9
	World Avg	12.6
q=196.

Freedom of Thought Lower is better33
Pos.		202133
1=	Belgium	1.0
1=	Taiwan	1.0
1=	Netherlands	1.0
	...
87	Venezuela	2.8
88	Uganda	3.0
89=	Belize	3.0
89=	Moldova	3.0
89=	Mexico	3.0
89=	Tuvalu	3.0
89=	Australia	3.0
89=	Lesotho	3.0
	Europe Avg	2.6
	World Avg	3.0
q=196.

5. Moldova's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #moldova #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #suicide #vaccines

Compared to Europe (2025)34
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank34
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
44	Latvia	76.0
45	Turkey	78.6
46	Bulgaria	82.8
47	Belarus	83.7
48	Romania	84.0
49	Moldova	85.0
50	Azerbaijan	86.0
51	Kosovo	86.4
52	Ukraine	89.6
	Europe Avg	86.87
q=52.

Health (2025)34
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank34
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
93	Romania	84.0
94	Brazil	84.6
95	Seychelles	84.8
96	Moldova	85.0
97	Azerbaijan	86.0
98	Dominica	86.3
99	Kosovo	86.4
100	Argentina	86.6
	World Avg	96.74
q=212.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and The Isle of Man₃₅. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, Angola and Nigeria₃₅.

21 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Balkans₃₅, whereas the worst are Africa, Micronesia and Melanesia₃₅.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Health:

Moldova is a pretty unhealthy country. Moldova does better than average when it comes to its fertility rate₁₄ and in its adolescent birth rate₃₆ (but bad for Europe). But that's it. Moldova has problems. It does worse than average in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₇, its immunizations take-up₃₈, its smoking rate₃₉ (still low for Europe) and in its average life expectancy₁₁ (the lowest in Europe). And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 for its suicide rate₄₀ and in its alcohol consumption rate₄₁ (the highest in Europe). The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the last 40 years. Life expectancy in Moldova improved by just +2.9yrs in the 30 years from 1990, significantly less than almost everywhere else in the world. Moldova's peak fertility rate was 3.33 in 1960.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
127	Philippines	69.3
128	Turkmenistan	69.3
129	Guatemala	69.2
130	Moldova	68.8
131	Nepal	68.4
132	Laos	68.1
133	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	67.7
134	Sao Tome & Principe	67.6
	Europe Avg	78.36
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better41
Pos.		2016 Per Capita41
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
182	Latvia	12.9
183=	Luxembourg	13.0
183=	Ireland	13.0
185	Nigeria	13.4
186=	Germany	13.4
187	Czechia	14.4
188	Lithuania	15.0
189	Moldova	15.2
	Europe Avg	10.3
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		202214
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
25	Romania	1.81
26	Mexico	1.80
27=	Montenegro	1.80
27=	Moldova	1.80
29	Bahrain	1.80
30	France	1.79
31	N. Korea	1.79
32	Malaysia	1.79
	Europe Avg	1.53
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Smoking Rates Lower is better39
Pos.		201439
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
125	USA	1 083
126	Finland	1 083
127	Portugal	1 113
128	Moldova	1 114
129	Lithuania	1 124
130	Uruguay	1 135
131	Canada	1 154
132	Albania	1 177
	Europe Avg	1 648
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Suicide Rate40
Pos.		2013 Per 100k40
1	Haiti	0
2	Grenada	0
3	Egypt	0.1
	...
71	Austria	30.9
72	Uruguay	32.3
73	France	33.2
74	Moldova	35.7
75	Switzerland	36.2
76	Croatia	36.4
77	Estonia	37.9
78	Serbia	38.1
	Europe Avg	26.99
	World Avg	20.93
q=91.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
84	Indonesia	84
85	Bolivia	85
86	Kyrgyzstan	86
87	Moldova	87
88	Syria	88
89	Azerbaijan	89
90	Uganda	90
91	Chile	91
	Europe Avg	47.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better42
Pos.		2016 %42
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
	...
78	Guyana	49.4
79	Grenada	51.4
80=	Turkmenistan	51.8
80=	Moldova	51.8
82	St Kitts & Nevis	52.3
83	Barbados	52.4
84	Papua New Guinea	52.9
85	Bosnia & Herzegovina	53.3
	Europe Avg	58.5
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better36
Pos.		2022 Per 100036
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
	...
80	Morocco	25.5
81	Fiji	26.1
82	Slovakia	26.6
83	Moldova	27.2
84	Iran	29.7
85	Georgia	29.7
86	Thailand	31.6
87	Tuvalu	31.7
	Europe Avg	11.4
	World Avg	43.8
q=195.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better38
Pos.		2015 Avg %38
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
111=	Lesotho	91.7
112	Malawi	91.7
113	Mexico	91.6
114	Moldova	91.5
115	Iceland	91.5
116	Trinidad & Tobago	91.4
117	Jamaica	90.9
118	Burkina Faso	90.6
	Europe Avg	92.7
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

6. Moldova's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #environmentalism #food #internationalism #meat #moldova #over-exploitation #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Europe (2025)43
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank43
1	Switzerland	45.0
2	Denmark	50.4
3	Liechtenstein	56.8
	...
32	Lithuania	89.5
33	Albania	91.5
34=	Monaco	92.1
34=	Moldova	92.1
36	Malta	92.2
37	Ukraine	94.8
38=	Iceland	96.9
39	Estonia	97.0
40	Montenegro	97.3
	Europe Avg	86.45
q=48.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)43
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank43
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
	...
125	Albania	91.5
126	St Vincent & Grenadines	92.0
127=	Monaco	92.1
127=	Moldova	92.1
129	S. Africa	92.2
130	Malta	92.2
131	Sao Tome & Principe	92.7
132	Palestine	92.7
	World Avg	84.93
q=199.

All countries' current and historical approach towards the environment is gauged via 21 datasets, including multiple decades of data on its forested percent change 2000-2020, its environmental performance, energy to GDP efficiency, its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population, reducing annual meat consumption per person and its score on the Green Future Index.

The countries that do the best (Sri Lanka, Uruguay and Switzerland) tend to have avoided the excesses of early industrial countries, and have not yet repeated the same mistakes of environmental destruction - at least, not on the same scale. The regions with the best average results per country are Central America, South America and Scandinavia. The worst are Eritrea, The Vatican City and Timor-Leste (E. Timor), and the worst regions Micronesia, Australasia and Melanesia.

For more, see:

• " Countries With the Best Environmental Records" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Moldova is 127th in the world in terms of its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is derived from 6 data sets. Moldova does better than average in terms of its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₄ and in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₅. But that's it. Moldova has problems. It does worse than average in reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₆ (still good for Europe), its environmental performance₄₇ (one of the lowest in Europe), energy to GDP efficiency₄₈ (one of the highest in Europe) and in its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better44
Pos.		Total44
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
	...
24	Italy	13.8%
25	Fiji	12.9%
26	France	12.5%
27	Moldova	11.9%
28	Palestine	11.5%
29	Kyrgyzstan	11.1%
30	Serbia	10.6%
31	Turkey	10.0%
	Europe Avg	8.2%
	World Avg	-0.1%
q=234.

Environmental Performance Higher is better47
Pos.		201847
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
109	Ukraine	52.9
110	Guatemala	52.3
111	Maldives	52.1
112	Moldova	52.0
113	Botswana	51.7
114	Honduras	51.5
115	Sudan	51.5
116	Oman	51.3
	Europe Avg	69.6
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Lower is better48
Pos.		2022 Avg48
1	Rwanda	0.25
2	Chad	0.26
3	Tanzania	0.31
	...
140	Serbia	1.79
141	Paraguay	1.79
142	Jamaica	1.83
143	Moldova	1.88
144	S. Africa	1.97
145	Kuwait	2.02
146	Barbados	2.04
147	Libya	2.05
	Europe Avg	1.25
	World Avg	1.23
q=165.

International Accords on the Environment Higher is better
Pos.		Total Avg Rate
1	Sweden	83%
2	Canada	82%
3	Norway	81%
	...
147	Qatar	51%
148	Vanuatu	50%
149	Equatorial Guinea	50%
150	Moldova	50%
151	Bahrain	50%
152	Swaziland	50%
153	Kuwait	49%
154	Lebanon	49%
	Europe Avg	62.7%
	World Avg	57.5%
q=197.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better45
Pos.		2011 %45
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
65	Canada	41.2%
66	Serbia	41.1%
67	Ghana	40.4%
68	Moldova	40.4%
69	Cameroon	39.0%
70	Uganda	38.6%
71	Sierra Leone	38.6%
72	France	38.4%
	Europe Avg	33.6%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better46
Pos.		2021 kg46
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
106	Colombia	60.9
107	Slovenia	61.2
108	Bulgaria	61.8
109	Moldova	61.9
110	Costa Rica	62.2
111	China	63.6
112	Uruguay	62.8
113	Jamaica	63.4
	Europe Avg	71.1
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

In the 2010s, Moldova increased its meat consumption by over 20kgs per person per year, one of only 11 countries to do so, and putting unnecessary strain on water supplies and the environment.₄₆

7. Moldova's Modernity and Learning

#capitalism #charity #corruption #economics #education #english #extremism #happiness #health #human_development #inequality #intelligence #it_security #life_expectancy #maths #modernity #morals #peace #politics #poverty #religion #religiosity #religious_violence #research #science #secularisation #social_development #technology #terrorism #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2020)49
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank49
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
	...
37	Montenegro	64.9
38	Bosnia & Herzegovina	65.6
39	Georgia	65.6
40	Moldova	68.9
41	Albania	76.4
42	Macedonia	77.2
43	Armenia	77.9
44	Azerbaijan	78.9
45	Andorra	87.1
	Europe Avg	39.81
q=45.

Modernity & Learning (2020)49
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank49
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
	...
64	Georgia	65.6
65	Bahrain	66.2
66	Peru	68.2
67	Moldova	68.9
68	Costa Rica	69.8
69	Tunisia	70.8
70	China	71.4
71	Fiji	71.5
	World Avg	86.31
q=190.

The most modern countries, with the best results from education, the highest levels of research, and with the easiest access to information on the Internet, are Finland, Belgium and Denmark₅₀. The worst countries are Eritrea, S. Sudan and Sierra Leone₅₀. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₅₁.

“Education, at all levels and ages, is the single most vital support for equality as well as being a country's most vital economic and social resource. [...] Every successful aspirant to modernisation and economic development, from Japan to South Korea, China to Chile, has got there with a big emphasis on education.”

Bill Emmott (2017)₅₂

15 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on Research and Development, Secondary Education, Length of Schooling, Intellectual Endeavours, Maths, Science & Reading, Religiosity, IQ, the percent of citizens with access to the internet, Freedom On The Internet, IT Security, IPv6 Uptake and digital quality of life. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₅₀, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₅₀.

For more, see:

• " Which Countries are Most Modern, With the Best Education and Internet Access?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2953
2	Israel	4.1153
3	Japan	3.5853
	...
72=	Montenegro	0.3854
72=	Chile	0.3853
72=	Ghana	0.3855
75	Moldova	0.3554
76	Ecuador	0.3456
77	Bosnia & Herzegovina	0.3354
78	Iran	0.3155
79=	Nepal	0.3055
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better57
Pos.		201857
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
17	Palau	97.1%
18	New Zealand	96.9%
19	Switzerland	96.5%
20	Moldova	96.4%
21	Germany	96.3%
22	Russia	95.9%
23	Croatia	95.7%
24	Azerbaijan	95.6%
	Europe Avg	88.3%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better58
Pos.		2021 Years58
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
75	Albania	14.4
76	Cuba	14.4
77	Colombia	14.4
78	Moldova	14.4
79	Serbia	14.4
80	Luxembourg	14.4
81	China	14.2
82	Romania	14.2
	Europe Avg	16.1
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
44	S. Korea	44
45	Morocco	45
46	Belarus	46
47	Moldova	47
48	Montenegro	48
49	Norway	49
50	Fiji	50
51	Dominica	51
	Europe Avg	31.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better59
Pos.		2015 Score59
1	Singapore	1655
2	Hong Kong	1598
3	Japan	1586
	...
49	Uruguay	1290
50	Turkey	1273
51	Trinidad & Tobago	1269
52	Moldova	1264
53	Montenegro	1256
54=	Costa Rica	1247
54=	Mexico	1247
56	Albania	1245
	Europe Avg	1417
	World Avg	1389
q=70.

Religiosity Lower is better60
Pos.		2018 %60
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
39	Azerbaijan	38
40	Chile	41
41=	Croatia	42
41=	Moldova	42
43	Argentina	43
44	Mexico	45
45	Kyrgyzstan	47
46	Kosovo	48
	Europe Avg	25.8
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

IQ Higher is better61
Pos.		200661
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
32=	Ukraine	97
32=	Russia	97
32=	Belarus	97
35	Moldova	96
36=	Uruguay	96
36=	Slovenia	96
36=	Slovakia	96
39	Portugal	95
	Europe Avg	96.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users Higher is better62
Pos.		201662
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
99	Armenia	50%
100	Iran	49%
101	Tunisia	48%
102	Moldova	48%
103=	Paraguay	47%
103=	Fiji	47%
105	Tonga	47%
106	Nigeria	46%
	Europe Avg	76.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

IT Security Lower is better63
Pos.		201363
1=	Ireland	0.11
1=	Luxembourg	0.11
1=	Belize	0.11
	...
27	Chile	0.66
28	Guinea-Bissau	0.67
29	Uzbekistan	0.69
30	Moldova	0.71
31	Zambia	0.76
32	Kenya	0.77
33	Cameroon	0.77
34	Burkina Faso	0.79
	Europe Avg	0.80
	World Avg	0.98

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better64
Pos.		2017 Ratio64
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
60	Iceland	0.3
61	Turkey	0.3
62=	Uruguay	0.3
62=	Moldova	0.3
64	UAE	0.3
65	Seychelles	0.2
66	Puerto Rico	0.2
67	Indonesia	0.2
	Europe Avg	8.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better65
Pos.		202465
1	Germany	77.9%
2	Finland	76.9%
3	France	73.9%
	...
62	Albania	46.7%
63	Azerbaijan	46.0%
64	Macedonia	45.7%
65	Moldova	45.5%
66	S. Africa	45.4%
67	Kuwait	44.9%
68	Montenegro	44.9%
69	Morocco	44.8%
	Europe Avg	61.0%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

8. Moldova's Culture, Peace and Inequality

#capitalism #charitability #charity #corruption #culture #economics #equality #extremism #happiness #health #human_development #inequality #life_expectancy #morals #peace #politics #poverty #religious_violence #social_development #terrorism

Compared to Europe (2020)66
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank66
1	Denmark	11.2
2	Norway	13.9
3	Netherlands	14.4
	...
26	Croatia	52.9
27	Romania	54.4
28	Lithuania	59.6
29	Moldova	59.7
30	Latvia	60.1
31	Kosovo	60.9
32	Serbia	61.1
33	Bulgaria	62.5
34	Albania	66.0
	Europe Avg	48.48
q=44.

Culture, Peace & Inequality (2020)66
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank66
1	Denmark	11.2
2	Norway	13.9
3	Netherlands	14.4
	...
44	Malaysia	55.4
45	Chile	57.4
46	Lithuania	59.6
47	Moldova	59.7
48	Latvia	60.1
49	Kosovo	60.9
50	Serbia	61.1
51	Oman	61.8
	World Avg	78.12
q=180.

This is the final pillar of the Social and Moral Development Index; it has 22 datasets, including multiple decades of data on World Giving Index, resisting corruption, overall happiness, Creativity and Culture, Open Trading, Aid and Development, its Global Peace Index rating, Peacekeeping and Security, Refugees and UN Treaties, the impact of terrorism, Inequality in Life Expectancy, Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) and Multidimensional Poverty.

For more, see:

• "Which are the Countries for International Contributions, Creativity, Peace and Inequality?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

National Culture:

On the Corruption Index, Moldova scored on average 33.8 over the 2012-2016 period. Over the 10 years since then, it improved by 5.2 points.

World Giving Index Higher is better67
Pos.		2022 %67
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
79=	Cameroon	37.0
79=	Iraq	37.0
79=	Croatia	37.0
79=	Moldova	37.0
79=	Israel	37.0
79=	Mauritius	37.0
79=	Lithuania	37.0
86	Panama	36.0
	Europe Avg	39.0
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better68
Pos.		2022 Points68
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
89	India	40.0
90=	Guyana	40.0
91	Belarus	39.0
92=	Moldova	39.0
92=	Colombia	39.0
94	Ethiopia	38.0
95=	Brazil	38.0
95=	Argentina	38.0
	Europe Avg	57.61
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

Happiness Higher is better69
Pos.		2024 Score69
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
	...
77	Mongolia	5.8
78	Mauritius	5.8
79	Libya	5.8
80	Moldova	5.8
81	Greece	5.8
82	Venezuela	5.7
83	Indonesia	5.6
84	Algeria	5.6
	Europe Avg	6.37
	World Avg	5.58
q=147.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
43	St Vincent & Grenadines	43
44	Cyprus	44
45	Japan	45
46	Moldova	46
47	Greece	47
48	Australia	48
49	Seychelles	49
50	Grenada	50
	Europe Avg	35.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
19	Malaysia	19
20	Nicaragua	20
21	Portugal	21
22	Moldova	22
23	Hungary	23
24	Jordan	24
25	Mauritius	25
26	Zimbabwe	26
	Europe Avg	42.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Peace Versus Instability:

Global Peace Index Lower is better70
Pos.		2023 Score70
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
54	Argentina	1.84
55	Madagascar	1.85
56	Namibia	1.86
57	Moldova	1.87
58	Chile	1.87
59	Gambia	1.89
60	Greece	1.89
61	Bosnia & Herzegovina	1.89
	Europe Avg	1.70
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
4	Egypt	4
5	Nigeria	5
6	Uruguay	6
7	Indonesia	7
8	Brunei	8
9	Moldova	9
10	Morocco	10
11	Oman	11
12	Tanzania	12
	Europe Avg	84.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
61	Philippines	61
62	Indonesia	62
63	Uganda	63
64	Moldova	64
65	Mozambique	65
66=	Burkina Faso	66
66=	Kyrgyzstan	66
68	Iran	68
	Europe Avg	37.8
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better71
Pos.		2019 Score71
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
23	Norway	0.08
24	Lesotho	0.10
25	Liberia	0.11
26=	Moldova	0.12
26=	Serbia	0.12
26=	Estonia	0.12
29	New Zealand	0.14
30	Uruguay	0.17
	Europe Avg	1.62
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

Economic Inequality and Poverty:

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better72
Pos.		201972
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
75	Iran	9.20
76	Mauritius	9.40
77=	Seychelles	9.60
77=	Moldova	9.60
79	Jamaica	10.00
80=	Samoa	10.00
81	Tonga	10.40
82	Mexico	10.50
	Europe Avg	4.86
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better73
Pos.		2023 %73
1	Slovakia	24.1%74
2	Slovenia	24.3%74
3	Belarus	24.4%75
4	Ukraine	25.6%75
5=	Moldova	25.7%74
5=	Netherlands	25.7%74
7	Iceland	26.1%76
8	Czechia	26.2%74
9=	Kyrgyzstan	26.4%77
9=	UAE	26.4%78
11	Syria	26.6%77
12=	Azerbaijan	26.6%79
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

Multidimensional Poverty Lower is better80
Pos.		2018 Severity80
1	Armenia	.001
2	Ukraine	.001
3	Serbia	.001
	...
9	Maldives	.003
10	Albania	.003
11	Thailand	.003
12	Moldova	.004
13	Palestine	.004
14	Tunisia	.005
15	St Lucia	.007
16	Libya	.007
	Europe Avg	.004
	World Avg	.154
q=101.

9. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #secularisation

Religiosity (2018)60
Pos.		Lower is better %60
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
39	Azerbaijan	38
40	Chile	41
41=	Croatia	42
41=	Moldova	42
43	Argentina	43
44	Mexico	45
45	Kyrgyzstan	47
46	Kosovo	48
47=	Tajikistan	50
47=	Romania	50
49	Georgia	51
50=	Armenia	53
50=	USA	53
52	Bosnia & Herzegovina	54
53=	Greece	56
53=	Paraguay	56
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

Disbelief In God (2007)81
Pos.		Higher is better %81
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
45=	Croatia	7
45=	Kyrgyzstan	7
45=	Cambodia	7
48	Moldova	6
49=	Italy	6
50	Laos	5
51=	Ireland	5
51=	Mozambique	5
53	Zimbabwe	4
54=	Namibia	4
54=	Iran	4
54=	Mexico	4
54=	Portugal	4
54=	Romania	4
54=	Argentina	4
54=	Georgia	4
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below₈₂:

Christian	97.4%
Muslim	0.6%
Hindu	0.1%
Buddhist	0.1%
Folk Religion	0.1%
Jewish	0.6%
Unaffiliated	1.4%

By adding up the Pew Forum data for the major monotheistic religions we can see that these make up 98.6% of the population. Yet there are simply too many who disbelieve in God for this to be true (6%). This is due to the so-called 'Census Effect', whereby many put down a religion for cultural reasons rather than because it reflects their beliefs. In highly Christian countries, as many as half of those who say they're a Christian lack any connection to a Church, and do not hold Christian beliefs (such as believing in God!).

It appears that when asked "What religion are you" many give pollsters the 'correct' answer despite how they actually feel, and despite what they actually believe. Although 98.9% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 42% say that they are religious when the question is phrased as "Is religion an important part of your daily life?".

For more on this phenomenon, see:

• "Institutionalized Religions Have Their Numbers Inflated by National Polls" by Vexen Crabtree (2009)

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000)₈₃.

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Secularisation Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?