History of Moldova in Timeline

Moldova, officially the Republic of Moldova, is a landlocked Eastern European country spanning 33,843 sq km with a population of 2.38 million. It shares borders with Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. Transnistria, an unrecognised breakaway state, lies along its eastern border with Ukraine. Moldova operates as a unitary parliamentary representative democratic republic, with Chișinău serving as its capital and largest city, functioning as the country's cultural and commercial hub.

1917: Bessarabia becomes an autonomous state

During the 1917 Russian Revolution, Bessarabia briefly became an autonomous state within the Russian Republic.

1917: Russian influence

During the periods 1812–1917, Moldovans were influenced by Russian administrative control as well and by ethnic Russian immigration.

February 1918: Bessarabia declares independence

In February 1918, Bessarabia declared its independence from Russia, later integrating into Romania.

1918: Bessarabia Unites with Romania

In 1918, Bessarabia briefly became independent as the Moldavian Democratic Republic and united with Romania following a decision by its Parliament.

1924: Establishment of Moldavian Autonomous Republic

In 1924, Soviet Russia established the Moldavian Autonomous Republic within the Ukrainian SSR on territories east of Bessarabia.

1940: Soviet Union Occupies Bessarabia

During the Second World War, in 1940, the Soviet Union occupied Bessarabia, reclaiming it from Romania, and it joined the Union as the Moldavian SSR.

1940: Romania cedes Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina to the Soviet Union

In 1940, Romania was compelled to cede Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina to the Soviet Union as a consequence of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, leading to the creation of the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic.

1940: Establishment of the Ion Creangă State Pedagogical University of Chișinău

The Ion Creangă State Pedagogical University of Chișinău was established in 1940.

1944: Soviet influence

During the periods 1944–89, Moldovans were influenced by Soviet administrative control as well and by ethnic Russian immigration.

1945: Establishment of the Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy

The Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy was established in 1945.

1946: Establishment of Moldova State University

The Moldova State University was established in 1946 and is located in Chișinău.

1961: Establishment of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova

The Academy of Sciences of Moldova was established in 1961 and is located in Chișinău.

January 1963: Lowest temperature recorded

On 20 January 1963, the lowest temperature ever recorded in Moldova was −35.5 °C (−31.9 °F) in Brătușeni, Edineț county.

1964: Establishment of the Technical University of Moldova

The Technical University of Moldova was established in 1964.

1969: Earliest Wines in Collection

The earliest wines in the Mileștii Mici collection date back to 1969.

1990: Population Decline

According to Balkan Insight, the population has fallen by almost 33% since 1990.

1990: War of Transnistria Begins

Following the 1990-1992 War of Transnistria, Moldova sought a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Transnistria region.

1990: Founded Ecological Movement of Moldova

Founded in 1990, the Ecological Movement of Moldova has been working to restore Moldova's damaged natural environment.

1990: Transnistria under breakaway government control

Since 1990, the strip of Moldovan territory on the east bank of the Dniester has been under the de facto control of the breakaway government of Transnistria.

August 1991: Moldavian SSR declares independence as Moldova

On 27 August 1991, the Moldavian SSR declared independence from the Soviet Union and adopted the name Moldova.

1991: Moldova Declares Independence

In 1991, the dissolution of the USSR led to Moldova declaring its independence.

1991: Declaration of Independence

Since declaring independence in 1991, Moldova has participated in UN peacekeeping missions.

1991: Establishment of the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova

The Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova was established in 1991.

October 1992: Ratification of Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe

In October 1992, Moldova ratified the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, which establishes limits on key categories of conventional military equipment.

1992: War of Transnistria Ends

Following the 1990-1992 War of Transnistria, Moldova sought a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Transnistria region.

1992: Moldova Joins International Organizations

In 1992, Moldova became a member state of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

1992: Independence from the Soviet Union

In 1992, Moldova gained independence from the Soviet Union and began its transition to a market economy.

1992: Transnistria ties with Russia

Since 1992, Transnistria has pursued close diplomatic, military, and economic ties with Russia.

March 1994: Partnership for Peace

On 16 March 1994, Moldova joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's Partnership for Peace.

October 1994: Accession to Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

In October 1994, Moldova acceded to the provisions of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in Washington, D.C.

1994: Moldova Joins NATO's Partnership for Peace

In 1994, Moldova became a participant in NATO's Partnership for Peace programme.

1994: Constitution of Moldova Adopted

In 1994, the Constitution of Moldova was adopted, setting the framework for the government of the country and establishing the rules for amendments and the role of the Constitutional Court.

May 1995: Moldova signs CIS convention

In May 1995, Moldova signed the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly Convention to become a member.

July 1995: Moldova Admitted to Council of Europe

In July 1995, Moldova was admitted to the Council of Europe.

1996: Moldova Joins the Francophonie

In 1996, Moldova joined the Francophonie.

1999: Moldova Acquires River Frontage to the Danube

In 1999, Moldova acquired from Ukraine a 0.45 kilometer river frontage to the Danube in exchange for ceding a stretch of contested road, transforming Giurgiulești into a river port.

2000: Constitutional Change Regarding Presidential Election

In 2000, a constitutional change was adopted regarding the presidential election method in Moldova.

2001: President Elected by Parliament

From 2001 until 2015, the President of Moldova was elected by the Moldovan Parliament, requiring the support of three-fifths of the deputies.

2001: Moldova Joins the World Trade Organization

In 2001, Moldova joined the World Trade Organization.

2002: Foundation of Casa Mariorei

In 2002, Casa Mariorei, a domestic violence shelter, was founded in Chișinău, providing support for women.

2002: Moldova Joins the International Criminal Court

In 2002, Moldova joined the International Criminal Court.

2002: Moldovan diaspora in Ukraine

In 2002, the Moldovan diaspora in Ukraine was estimated to be 258,600.

August 2005: Reintroduction of European Bison

The species of European Wood Bison was reintroduced with the arrival of three European bison from Białowieża Forest in Poland several days before Moldova's Independence Day on 27 August 2005.

2005: Guinness World Record

In 2005, Mileștii Mici retained the Guinness World Record for the largest wine cellar by the number of bottles.

2005: EU Action Plan and Border Assistance Mission

In 2005, Moldova and the European Union established an action plan to improve cooperation, and the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) was established to assist in border and customs procedures.

July 2007: Highest temperature recorded

On 21 July 2007, the highest temperature ever recorded in Moldova was 41.5 °C (106.7 °F) in Camenca.

2009: Joining Budapest Convention

In 2009, Moldova joined the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime of the Council of Europe.

February 2010: Poland Provides Support for Moldova's European Integration

According to a lending agreement signed in February 2010, Poland provided US$15 million to support Moldova in its European integration efforts.

April 2010: Romania Offers Development Aid to Moldova

In April 2010, Romania offered Moldova development aid worth €100 million and doubled the number of scholarships for Moldovan students to 5,000.

September 2010: European Parliament Approves Grant for Moldova

In September 2010, the European Parliament approved a grant of €90 million to Moldova to supplement existing financial support.

2010: Moldovan diaspora in Russia

In 2010, the Moldovan diaspora in Russia was estimated to be 156,400.

2011: Recognition of Islamic League of Moldova

In 2011, the Islamic League of Moldova was recognized by the Moldovan Ministry of Justice as representing Moldovan Muslims.

March 2012: Joint Meeting of Governments of Romania and Moldova

The first joint meeting of the Governments of Romania and Moldova was held in March 2012, resulting in several bilateral agreements.

2012: Security Zone Incident

In 2012, a security zone incident in Transnistria resulted in the death of a civilian, raising tensions with Russia.

2012: Border Police under Control of the Ministry of Internal Affairs

In 2012, the Moldovan Border Police, previously a military branch, was put under the control of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

2012: Russia Cancels Decree Underpinning Moldova's Sovereignty

In February 2023, Russia canceled a 2012 decree underpinning Moldova's sovereignty.

August 2013: Pipeline Work Begins

In August 2013, work began on a pipeline between Moldova and Romania to break Russia's monopoly on Moldova's gas supplies.

November 2013: Accord was drafted with EU

In November 2013, the Association Agreement with EU was drafted in Vilnius.

November 2013: Moldova Signs Association Agreement with the EU

On 29 November 2013, at a summit in Vilnius, Moldova signed an association agreement with the European Union as part of the EU's 'Eastern Partnership' with ex-Soviet countries.

June 2014: Moldova Signs Association Agreement with EU

On 27 June 2014, Moldova signed the Association Agreement with the European Union in Brussels.

November 2014: US Donation of Humvees and Trailers

On 12 November 2014, the US donated 39 Humvees and 10 trailers, valued at US$700,000, to the Moldovan Armed Forces' 22nd Peacekeeping Battalion.

2014: Eastern Orthodox Christian population

According to the 2014 Moldovan census, 90% of the country reported to be of the Eastern Orthodox Christian faith.

2014: Urban Population at Census

According to the 2014 census, 38.5% of Moldova's population was urban.

2014: Gagauzia referendum on EU links

In 2014, nearly 99 per cent of Gagauzians voted in a referendum to reject closer links with Europe in favor of joining the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union.

2014: Moldovan census collects language information

In 2014, the Moldovan census collected information about the languages spoken by residents in Moldova for the first time. Results showed Moldovan (49.2%), Romanian (31.3%), Russian (11.1%), Gagauz (3.8%), Ukrainian (2.9%), Bulgarian (1.2%), Romani (0.3), and others (0.2%).

2015: Scholarships for Moldovan students

As of 2015, Romania allocated 5,000 scholarships in high schools and universities for Moldovan students.

2015: Increase in Agricultural Production

Between 2015 and 2022, agricultural production has almost doubled, particularly in vegetable and fruit production.

2015: President Elected by Parliament

From 2001 until 2015, the President of Moldova was elected by the Moldovan Parliament, requiring the support of three-fifths of the deputies.

2015: Military Agreement with Romania

In 2015, Moldova signed a military agreement with Romania to strengthen regional security.

2015: GDP Per Capita

In 2015, Moldova's GDP per capita was $2,749 (USD).

2015: Irina Vlakh elected governor of Gagauzia

In 2015, just over half of Gagauzians voted for the Russian-backed socialist candidate Irina Vlakh as governor.

March 2016: Constitutional Court Reverts Presidential Election Method

On 4 March 2016, the Constitutional Court ruled that the 2000 constitutional change regarding presidential elections was unconstitutional, reverting the election method to a direct two-round system.

December 2016: Retirement age increased

On 19 December 2016, the Moldovan parliament approved raising the retirement age to 63 years from 57 for women and 62 for men, as part of a programme agreed with the International Monetary Fund.

2016: Adoption of Cyber Security Programme

Moldova adopted the National Cyber Security Programme for 2016–2020.

2016: Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights' recommendations on hate crimes

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights' recommendations on hate crimes were issued in 2016

2018: Energy Supply Composition

In 2018, Moldova's primary energy supply consisted of about half natural gas, a quarter oil, and one-fifth solid biomass.

2018: Deaths Exceeding Births

Since 2018, the number of deaths has exceeded the levels of live-births in Moldova.

2019: Talks with Belarus regarding a bison exchange programme

In 2019, Moldova began talks with Belarus regarding a bison exchange programme between the two countries.

2019: Number of non-resident tourists

In 2019, Moldova had 31,000 non-resident tourists

2019: Health care spending

In 2019, Moldova spent 4.9% of its annual GDP on health care.

2019: Moldovan diaspora in Italy and France

In 2019, the Moldovan diaspora in Italy was estimated to be 188,923 and in France 26,300.

2019: Average Children per Woman

In 2019, the average number of children per women of childbearing age in Moldova was 1.78.

2019: Leading causes of death

In 2019, the leading causes of death in Moldova were Ischaemic heart disease, strokes, hypertensive heart disease, cirrhosis of the liver, and trachea, bronchus, and lung cancers.

2019: Fertility Rate

In 2019, the total fertility rate per woman was 1.78.

2019: Forest Landscape Integrity Index

Moldova had a 2019 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 2.2/10, ranking it 158th globally out of 172 countries.

2019: 5G Testing Begins

Testing for 5G began in Moldova in 2019.

November 2020: Maia Sandu elected president

In November 2020, Maia Sandu, a pro-European opposition candidate, was elected as the new president of Moldova, becoming the first female president.

2020: Corruption Perceptions Index

According to Transparency International, Moldova's Corruption Perceptions Index was 34 points in 2020. Reporters Without Borders improved Moldova's Press Freedom Index ranking from 89th in 2020 to 40th in 2022

2020: Maia Sandu elected president

In 2020, Maia Sandu, running on a pro-Western and anti-corruption platform, was elected as the President of Moldova.

2020: Infant mortality

In 2020, infant mortality was 8.7 per 1,000 live-births.

2020: Moldovan diaspora in Romania

In 2020, the Moldovan diaspora in Romania was estimated to be 285,000.

2020: Government Resignation and Failure to Form New Government

In 2020, the prime minister and government of Moldova resigned, and the president and parliament failed to form a new government, leading to early parliamentary elections.

2020: End of Cyber Security Programme

The National Cyber Security Programme for 2016-2020 ended in Moldova.

July 2021: Early parliamentary elections held

In July 2021, early parliamentary elections were held in Moldova after the previous government resigned and a new one could not be formed. The Party of Action and Solidarity secured a single-party majority with 63 seats.

2021: Hate crime convictions

In 2021, 8 hate crimes were recorded, 7 of which reached a successful conviction, with one going to prosecution but without a conviction.

2021: Annual GDP Growth Rebound

In 2021, Moldova's annual GDP growth rebounded to 13.9% following the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.

2021: Exports and Wine Industry

In 2021, Moldova's primary exports included agriculture, apparel, and sports equipment. The country exported $140 million in wine, becoming the 21st largest exporter of wine globally, with wine exports representing the country's fifth largest export. The EU became the main purchaser of Moldovan wines.

2021: Wine Exports to Russia and EU

In 2021, Russia accounted for only 10 percent of Moldovan wine exports, down from 80 percent in the early 2000s. Moldova exported more than 120 million litres of wine to European countries, compared to 8.6 million litres to Russia.

2021: Russia's Alleged Destabilization Plan for Moldova

In 2021, a document allegedly from Russia's FSB outlined a 10-year plan to destabilize Moldova through energy blackmail and leveraging political and elite sources.

2021: Agriculture Exports and Employment

In 2021, agriculture made up 12% of Moldova's overall exports and 21% of overall employment.

2021: Moldovan diaspora in Canada

In 2021, the Moldovan diaspora in Canada was estimated to be 20,470.

2021: Higher number of deaths

In 2021, there was a higher number of deaths compared to 2022.

2021: Parliamentary election

In the 2021 parliamentary election, the Moldovan diaspora overwhelmingly voted for Maia Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity.

2021: Reduced Death-Birth Gap

Since 2021, the gap between the number of deaths and live births has been reduced in Moldova.

March 2022: Moldova Applies to Join the EU

On 3 March 2022, Moldova formally signed the membership application to join the European Union.

May 2022: Incitement to religious and ethnic hatred made illegal

In May 2022, incitement to religious and ethnic hatred was made illegal in Moldova.

June 2022: Moldova granted EU candidate status

In June 2022, under the presidency of Maia Sandu, Moldova was granted candidate status for membership in the European Union.

June 2022: Amendments to the Criminal Code adopted by the Moldovan Parliament

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights' 2016 recommendations on hate crimes were "largely reflected in amendments to the Criminal Code adopted by the Moldovan Parliament and published on 3 June 2022".

July 2022: Internet Users in Moldova

By July 2022, there were more than 3 million internet users in Moldova, constituting some 76% of the population.

August 2022: Starlink Launch

Starlink launched in Moldova in August 2022.

October 2022: Defense Minister claims of outdated military equipment

In October 2022, Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatii claimed that 90 percent of the country's military equipment is outdated, dating back to the 1960s and 1980s.

October 2022: Meeting with the European Union

In a meeting with the European Union in October 2022, EU representatives welcomed positive developments in Moldova such as the ratification of the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women, the adoption of legislation on hate crime, and the ongoing work to reform the Electoral Code.

2022: Support for union with Romania

A 2022 survey indicated that only 11% of Romania's population supported an immediate union with Moldova, while over 42% thought it was not the moment.

2022: Healthcare Statistics

According to 2022 data, Moldova had 48.4 doctors and 91 units of average medical staff per 10,000 inhabitants. 53% of people aged 16 and over in urban areas described their health as 'good' or 'very good', compared to 33% in rural areas.

2022: Amnesty International's report on human rights

According to Amnesty International's 2022/23 report, "No visible progress was made in reducing instances of torture and other ill-treatment in detention.

2022: Corruption Perceptions Index

According to Transparency International, Moldova's Corruption Perceptions Index improved to 39 points in 2022 from 34 in 2020.

2022: Human Rights Report of the United States Department of State

According to the Human Rights Report of the United States Department of State, released in 2022, authorities investigated reports of human rights abuses and corruption committed by officials.

2022: Population Density and Life Expectancy

As of 2022, Moldova's population density is 82.8 inhabitants per 1 km, and the average life expectancy was 71.5 years.

2022: Increase in Agricultural Production

Between 2015 and 2022, agricultural production has almost doubled, particularly in vegetable and fruit production.

2022: Increased Net Emigration

By 2022, net emigration in Moldova increased to 43,000, slightly down from 45,000 in 2021.

2022: Electricity Imports from Romania Begin

In 2022, Moldova began importing electricity from Romania, eliminating the need to buy electricity generated from Russian gas in Transnistria.

2022: Economic Collapse and Unemployment

In 2022, Moldova experienced an economic collapse with a GDP growth of −5.9% due to the invasion of Ukraine, leading to energy and refugee crises. Unemployment remained low at 2.3%, but inflation increased dramatically to 28.7%.

2022: Emigration and Fertility Rates

In 2022, Moldova experienced long-term population decline due to high levels of emigration (43,000 more people left the country than came) and low fertility rates, with an average of 1.69 children per woman.

2022: Increase in Foreign Visitors

In 2022, Moldova saw more foreign visitors in the first quarter compared to pre-pandemic levels, increasing from 31,000 non-resident tourists in 2019 to 36,100 in 2022.

2022: Moldova Submits EU Membership Application

In 2022, Moldova submitted a formal membership application to the European Union.

2022: Moldova's Human Development Index Ranking

In 2022, Moldova was ranked 76th in the world in terms of the Human Development Index.

2022: Russia's invasion of Ukraine

In 2022, Russia's invasion of Ukraine had a potential threat because of Transnistria's position on Ukraine's south-western flank.

2022: Religious Demographics

In 2022, approximately 7% of the non-Orthodox population in Moldova identified with no religion according to the United States Department of State.

2022: Moldovan diaspora in Germany

In 2022, the Moldovan diaspora in Germany was estimated to be 122,000.

2022: Life Expectancy and Fertility Rate

In 2022, the average life expectancy in Moldova was 71.5 years, and the total fertility rate per woman was 1.69. There were 10.6 live births per 1,000 inhabitants, and 14.2 deaths per 1,000 inhabitants.

2022: Overall number of deaths fell

In 2022, the overall number of deaths in Moldova fell by 20.5% compared to 2021. Major causes of death included diseases of the circulatory system (58%) and cancerous tumours (15.8%).

February 2023: Russia Cancels Decree Underpinning Moldova's Sovereignty

In February 2023, Russia canceled a 2012 decree underpinning Moldova's sovereignty.

February 2023: Law on Criminal Penalties for Separatism

On 2 February 2023, Moldova passed a law introducing criminal penalties for separatism, including prison terms, as well as penalties for financing and inciting separatism.

March 2023: Memorandum on EU Mission in Moldova

On 29 March 2023, a memorandum stated that the EU mission in Moldova aims at enhancing resilience to hybrid threats, including cybersecurity, and countering foreign information manipulation. The mission is expected to last for two years and include up to 40 police, customs officers, and judicial officials.

March 2023: Romanian as the official language of Moldova

As of March 2023, Romanian became the only official language of Moldova, with all references to the Moldovan language in the constitution and legal documents being amended to refer to Romanian.

April 2023: Moldova Needs $275 Million to Modernize Armed Forces

In April 2023, Valeriu Mija, Secretary of State for Defence Policy, claimed that Moldova needed $275 million to modernize its armed forces.

April 2023: EU Partnership Mission in Moldova

On April 24, 2023, the European Union created a Partnership Mission in Moldova through its Common Security and Defence Policy, which seeks to support the Moldovan government in countering hybrid threats stemming from the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

May 2023: Moldova Suspends Participation in CIS

In May 2023, the Moldovan government announced the immediate suspension of its participation in the Commonwealth of Independent States and its intention to withdraw completely.

June 2023: Poland Sends Military Equipment to Moldova

In June 2023, Poland sent a transport of military equipment worth €8 million to the Moldovan police, including drones, laptops, explosive ordnance disposal equipment, and ultrasound equipment, to increase the country's internal security.

June 2023: EU Support and Investment Program for Moldova Announced

In June 2023, the European Union announced a €1.6 billion support and investment program for Moldova, as well as reductions in mobile data and voice roaming charges and Moldova joining the EU's joint gas purchase platform.

June 2023: Pride parade

On 18 June 2023, some 500 LGBT activists and supporters held a Pride parade in the capital city of Chișinău which for the first time needed no heavy police cordons to protect them from protesters largely linked to the Orthodox church.

June 2023: Moldova No Longer Imports Gas from Russia

As of June 2023, Moldova no longer imports oil or natural gas from Russia and has been granted access to the European Union's joint gas purchasing platform.

July 2023: Gagauzia's leader expresses desire for deeper diplomatic ties with Russia

In July 2023, Evghenia Guțul, the local leader of Gagauzia, thanked Ilan Shor for his support and expressed a desire for deeper diplomatic ties with Russia.

July 2023: Moldova Withdraws from CIS Interparliamentary Assembly

In July 2023, Moldova passed legislation removing it from membership in the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly.

July 2023: Creation of Seed Libraries

In July 2023, a network of 20 seed libraries comprising over 1,000 seeds were created across Moldova to improve local agricultural biodiversity and climate resilience.

July 2023: Moldova Summons Russian Ambassador and Expels Diplomats

In July 2023, the Moldovan government summoned the Russian ambassador Oleg Vasnetsov following reports of alleged spying devices at the Russian embassy. Subsequently, 45 Russian diplomats and embassy staff were expelled due to "hostile actions."

December 2023: Accession talks to the EU began

On 13 December 2023, accession talks between Moldova and the European Union officially began.

December 2023: Formal EU Accession Talks Begin

On 13 December 2023, formal accession talks between Moldova and the European Union began.

2023: Internet Speed Ranking

As of 2023, Internet in Moldova is among the fastest and least expensive in the world.

2023: IMF Predicts Economic Improvement

In 2023, the IMF predicted that Moldova's economy would improve from a 1.5% contraction to a growth of 1.5%.

January 2024: Population Estimate

As of 1 January 2024, Moldova has an estimated population of approximately 2,423,300.

November 2024: President Maia Sandu re-elected

In November 2024 presidential election, President Maia Sandu was re-elected with 55% of the vote.

November 2024: Presidential Election Run-Off

In November 2024, Moldova held a presidential election where Maia Sandu received 42% of the vote, and Alexandr Stoianoglo received 26%, leading to a run-off.

2024: Referendum on Joining the EU Planned

A referendum on joining the EU is planned for autumn 2024, with no voting stations in Transnistria, but residents free to travel to other areas to vote.

2024: Ethnic Composition

According to the 2024 national census, ethnic Moldovans made up approximately 77% of the country's population, while Romanians (8%), Ukrainians (5%), Gagauzians (4%), and Russians (3%) made up the most substantial ethnic minorities.

2024: Moldova's Global Innovation Index Ranking

As of 2024, Moldova ranks 68th in the world on the Global Innovation Index.

2024: 5G Rollout Consideration

In 2024, Moldova is considering a bid to begin rolling out 5G.

2024: National Census

The most recent national census of Moldova was carried out in 2024 (not including Transnistria).

2024: 2024 census results

The results of the 2024 census were Moldovan (49.2%), Romanian (31.3%), Russian (11.1%), Gagauz (3.8%), Ukrainian (2.9%), Bulgarian (1.2%), Romani (0.3), and others (0.2%).

January 2025: New Legislation Goes Into Effect

New cybersecurity legislation, partially drafted by the Moldova Cybersecurity Rapid Assistance Unit, will go into effect in Moldova on 1 January 2025.