At the beginning of the current year, the usually resident population of the Republic of Moldova stands at an estimated 2.366 million people, a decrease of about 23,000 residents compared to the beginning of 2025. The National Bureau of Statistics reports that negative net international migration and negative natural population growth drive the decline, IPN reports.
The National Bureau of Statistics records a sharper population decrease in rural areas, where the number of residents falls by 1.3%, while urban areas register a 0.6% decline. The institution states that international migration remains the main factor behind the reduction in population size. In 2025, net international migration reaches an estimated 13,000 people. At the same time, deaths exceed births by approximately 10,000, resulting in negative natural growth.
Statistical data show that women make up the majority of the population. At the beginning of the year, the female population is estimated at 1.263 million people, representing over 53% of the total, while the male population stands at just over 1.1 million, or about 47%.
Meanwhile, demographic aging continues across all regions of the country. The northern region records the highest share of elderly people, with over 26% of the population in older age groups. Chisinau municipality, by contrast, has the highest share of working-age population and the lowest share of elderly residents.
The average age of the population reaches 40 years and 8 months, increasing by one month compared to the previous year. Statisticians note that the 35–39 age group remains the largest, accounting for about 8% of the country’s population.