Moldova (Republic of Moldova)

Moldova Republic of Moldova
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	58th 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. National Culture
9. Peace Versus Instability
10. Economic Inequality and Poverty
11. Religion and Beliefs
12. 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=	Dominican Rep.	0.767
80=	Palau	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	27.4
2	Norway	27.6
3	Sweden	30.4
	...
55	Trinidad & Tobago	74.7
56	Albania	75.1
57	Georgia	75.2
58	Moldova	75.3
59	Ukraine	75.9
60	Dominica	77.0
61	Macedonia	77.1
62	Malaysia	77.1
	Europe Avg	57.5
	World Avg	89.7
q=198.

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	8.5
2	Denmark	13.5
3	Norway	13.5
	...
39	Montenegro	73.3
40	Andorra	73.6
41	Armenia	74.5
42	Moldova	81.8
43	Macedonia	82.4
44	San Marino	83.7
45	Monaco	86.7
46	Turkey	86.7
47	Belarus	88.3
	Europe Avg	51.0
q=49.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)18
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank18
1	Sweden	8.5
2	Denmark	13.5
3	Norway	13.5
	...
74	Barbados	75.7
75	Trinidad & Tobago	78.9
76	Philippines	80.0
77	Moldova	81.8
78	Macedonia	82.4
79	Israel	82.6
80	Nicaragua	82.7
81	Suriname	83.1
	World Avg	87.8
q=200.

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, The Vatican City and Sudan₁₉.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are statistics 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 Melanesia, The Middle East and Micronesia₁₉.

For more, see:

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

Human Rights & Tolerance:

Press Freedom Lower is better20
Pos.		201320
1	Finland	638
2	Netherlands	648
3	Norway	652
	...
51	S. Africa	2456
52	Japan	2517
53	Argentina	2567
54	Moldova	2601
55	Hungary	2609
56	Italy	2611
57	Hong Kong	2616
58	Senegal	2619
	Europe Avg	2044
	World Avg	3249
q=178.

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 but women are still in an unfavourable position much of the time.

See:

• "Religion Versus Womankind" by Vexen Crabtree

Gender Inequality Lower is better26
Pos.		201526
1	Switzerland	0.04
2	Denmark	0.04
3	Netherlands	0.04
	...
44	Malta	0.22
45	Bulgaria	0.22
46	UAE	0.23
47	Moldova	0.23
48	Bahrain	0.23
49	Hungary	0.25
50	Saudi Arabia	0.26
51	Albania	0.27
	Europe Avg	0.15
	World Avg	0.36
q=159.

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=	Netherlands	1.0
1=	Taiwan	1.0
	...
99	Guatemala	3.0
100=	Uganda	3.0
100=	Ivory Coast	3.0
100=	Moldova	3.0
100=	Serbia	3.0
100=	Cyprus	3.0
100=	Tuvalu	3.0
100=	Mexico	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 (2020)34
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank34
1	Monaco	13.0
2	Liechtenstein	50.0
3	Norway	66.3
	...
39	Montenegro	101.3
40	Latvia	101.4
41	Serbia	102.0
42	Moldova	102.9
43=	Lithuania	105.5
44	Romania	105.8
45=	Bulgaria	105.8
46	Belarus	115.8
47	Ukraine	120.6
	Europe Avg	87.7
q=47.

Health (2020)34
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank34
1	Monaco	13.0
2	Maldives	41.7
3	Sri Lanka	43.1
	...
128	Serbia	102.0
129	Syria	102.3
130	Chile	102.5
131	Moldova	102.9
132	Kazakhstan	103.8
133	Malawi	104.5
134	Comoros	104.9
135=	Ghana	104.9
	World Avg	95.1
q=198.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, The Maldives and Sri Lanka₃₅. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, The Marshall Islands and Nigeria₃₅.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are 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, Asia and The Mediterranean₃₅, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Australasia₃₅.

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 rate₂₆ (but bad for Europe). But unfortunately Moldova gets most other things wrong. It does worse than average in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₆, its immunizations take-up₃₇, its smoking rate₃₈ (still low for Europe) and in its average life expectancy₁₁ (the lowest in Europe). And finally, it falls into the worst-performing 20 in its suicide rate₃₉ and in its alcohol consumption rate₄₀ (the worst in Europe). The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% over 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 better40
Pos.		2016 Per Capita40
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 better38
Pos.		201438
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 Rate39
Pos.		2013 Per 100k39
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 better36
Pos.		2017 Rank36
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 better41
Pos.		2016 %41
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 better26
Pos.		2015 Per 100026
1	N. Korea	0.5
2	S. Korea	1.6
3	Switzerland	2.9
	...
64	Bhutan	21.4
65	Djibouti	21.5
66	Albania	21.7
67=	Moldova	22.6
67=	USA	22.6
69	Armenia	23.0
70	Jordan	23.2
71	Russia	23.4
	Europe Avg	14.6
	World Avg	47.9
q=185.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better37
Pos.		2015 Avg %37
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 #food #meat #moldova #over-exploitation #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Europe (2023)42
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank42
1	Greece	50.4
2	Italy	51.8
3	Germany	55.8
	...
34	Poland	98.0
35	Azerbaijan	99.3
36	Macedonia	102.8
37	Moldova	104.8
38	Lithuania	107.8
39	Latvia	109.0
40	Croatia	112.0
41=	Serbia	118.0
42	Bosnia & Herzegovina	120.0
	Europe Avg	79.9
q=43.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)42
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank42
1	Japan	33.2
2	Philippines	45.0
3	Uruguay	48.0
	...
147	Saudi Arabia	104.4
148	Laos	104.5
149	Oman	104.7
150	Moldova	104.8
151	Botswana	106.8
152	S. Africa	106.8
153	Lithuania	107.8
154=	Guyana	108.0
	World Avg	85.7
q=188.

Moldova comes 150th in the world in terms of its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is calculated from 6 data sets. Moldova does better than average for its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₃ and in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₄. But unfortunately Moldova gets most other things wrong. It does worse than average in terms of reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₅ (still good for Europe), its environmental performance₄₆ (one of the lowest in Europe) and in how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity. And finally, it falls into the worst 20 when it comes to energy to GDP efficiency₄₇.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better43
Pos.		Total43
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 better46
Pos.		201846
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 Higher is better47
Pos.		201447
1	Hong Kong	26.32
2	Sri Lanka	20.00
3	Panama	17.86
	...
100	Iran	05.32
101	Kenya	05.24
102	Kazakhstan	05.10
103	Moldova	05.03
104	Ivory Coast	04.85
105	Tanzania	04.81
106	Kyrgyzstan	04.78
107	Benin	04.69
	Europe Avg	09.80
	World Avg	09.29
q=119.

Convention on Biological Diversity Earlier is better
Pos.		Total Signed
1=	China	1993 Dec 29
1=	Guinea	1993 Dec 29
1=	Cook Islands	1993 Dec 29
	...
128	Solomon Islands	1996 Jan 01
129	Togo	1996 Jan 02
130	Botswana	1996 Jan 10
131	Moldova	1996 Jan 18
132	Guinea-Bissau	1996 Jan 25
133	Sudan	1996 Jan 28
134	S. Africa	1996 Jan 31
135	Nicaragua	1996 Feb 18
	Europe Avg	1899 Dec 30
	World Avg	1899 Dec 30
q=197.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better44
Pos.		2011 %44
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 better45
Pos.		2021 kg45
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.₄₅

7. Moldova's Modernity and Learning

#education #english #intelligence #it_security #maths #modernity #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2020)48
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank48
1	Finland	7.7
2	Switzerland	14.7
3	Denmark	14.8
	...
36	Belarus	55.2
37	Serbia	55.4
38	Kosovo	57.0
39	Moldova	57.2
40	Bosnia & Herzegovina	61.6
41	Monaco	64.5
42	Georgia	66.0
43	Montenegro	66.3
44	Azerbaijan	69.4
	Europe Avg	40.6
q=49.

Modernity & Learning (2020)48
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank48
1	Finland	7.7
2	Taiwan	10.0
3	Switzerland	14.7
	...
56	Serbia	55.4
57	St Kitts & Nevis	56.7
58	Kosovo	57.0
59	Moldova	57.2
60	Puerto Rico	57.5
61	Saudi Arabia	58.1
62	Palau	59.3
63	China	60.4
	World Avg	82.7
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2949
2	Israel	4.1149
3	Japan	3.5849
	...
72=	Montenegro	0.3850
72=	Chile	0.3849
72=	Ghana	0.3851
75	Moldova	0.3550
76	Ecuador	0.3452
77	Bosnia & Herzegovina	0.3350
78	Iran	0.3151
79=	Nepal	0.3051
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better53
Pos.		201853
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 better54
Pos.		2021 Years54
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 better36
Pos.		2017 Rank36
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 better55
Pos.		2015 Score55
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 better56
Pos.		2018 %56
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 better57
Pos.		200657
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 better58
Pos.		201658
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 better59
Pos.		201359
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 better60
Pos.		2017 Ratio60
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 better61
Pos.		202461
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. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

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 better62
Pos.		2022 %62
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 better63
Pos.		2022 Points63
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 better64
Pos.		2018 Score64
1	Finland	7.6
2	Norway	7.6
3	Denmark	7.6
	...
64	Paraguay	5.7
65	Peru	5.7
66	Kosovo	5.7
67	Moldova	5.6
68	Turkmenistan	5.6
69	Hungary	5.6
70	Libya	5.6
71	Philippines	5.5
	Europe Avg	6.06
	World Avg	5.38
q=156.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better36
Pos.		2017 Rank36
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 better36
Pos.		2017 Rank36
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.

9. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index Lower is better65
Pos.		2023 Score65
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 better36
Pos.		2017 Rank36
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 better36
Pos.		2017 Rank36
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 better66
Pos.		2019 Score66
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.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #poverty #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better67
Pos.		201967
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 better68
Pos.		2023 %68
1	Slovakia	24.1%69
2	Slovenia	24.3%69
3	Belarus	24.4%70
4	Ukraine	25.6%70
5=	Netherlands	25.7%69
5=	Moldova	25.7%69
7	Iceland	26.1%71
8	Czechia	26.2%69
9=	UAE	26.4%72
9=	Kyrgyzstan	26.4%73
11	Belgium	26.6%69
12=	Syria	26.6%73
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

Multidimensional Poverty Lower is better74
Pos.		2018 Severity74
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.

11. Religion and Beliefs

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

Religiosity (2018)56
Pos.		Lower is better %56
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)75
Pos.		Higher is better %75
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 below₇₆:

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

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000)₇₇.

Links:

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