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Communications

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 4, FM 8, shortwave NA (1999)

Radios [time series]

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

the Ministry of Information, Computers, and Telecommunications controls telecommunications; the carrier is Modtelecom domestic: local--Chisinau has a fiber-optic loop and one cellular GSM provider; the waiting list for telephones is long; local service outside Chisinau is poor; intercity--Moldova's two fiber-optic segments form a synchronous digital hierarchy ring through Romania's system; an analog backbone system runs from south to north in Moldova international: two fiber-optic segments provide connectivity to Romania; worldwide service can be available to Moldova through this infrastructure; additional analog lines are to Russia; Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik earth stations

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

600,000 (1998 est.)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

1 national station, 3 private stations, 15 small local stations outside Chisinau (1998)

Televisions [time series]

93 televisions/100 people (1996)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture--products) [time series]

vegetables, fruits, wine, grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, tobacco; beef, milk

Budget [time series]

revenues: $536 million expenditures: $594 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

the Moldovan leu (MLD) (plural lei) was introduced in late 1993

Debt - external (Debt--external) [time series]

more than $1.2 billion (February 1999)

Economic aid (Economic aid--recipient) [time series]

$100.8 million (1995); note?$547 million from the IMF and World Bank (1992-99)

Economic overview (Economy--overview) [time series]

Moldova enjoys a favorable climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova must import all of its supplies of oil, coal, and natural gas, largely from Russia. Energy shortages contributed to sharp production declines after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. The Moldovan Government has recently been making progress on an ambitious economic reform agenda. As part of its reform efforts, Moldova introduced a stable convertible currency, freed all prices, stopped issuing preferential credits to state enterprises and backed steady land privatization, removed export controls, and freed interest rates. In 1998, the economic troubles of Russia, with whom Moldova conducts 55% of its trade, was a major cause of the 8.6% drop in GDP. In 1999, the IMF resumed payment on Moldova's Extended Fund Facility, which had been suspended since 1997. The IMF intends to grant $135 million in 1999.

Electricity - consumption (Electricity--consumption) [time series]

6.825 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity - exports (Electricity--exports) [time series]

3.1 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity - imports (Electricity--imports) [time series]

1.6 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity - production (Electricity--production) [time series]

8.325 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity - production by source (Electricity--production by source) [time series]

fossil fuel: 96.1% hydro: 3.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)

Exchange rates [time series]

lei (MLD) per US$1 (end of period)--8.3226 (December 1998), 8.3395 (1998), 4.6605 (1997), 4.6500 (1996), 4.4990 (1995), 4.2700 (1994); period average--4.6758 (January 1998), 4.6236 (1997), 4.6045 (1996), 4.4958 (1995)

Exports [time series]

$633 million (f.o.b., 1998)

Exports - commodities (Exports--commodities) [time series]

foodstuffs, wine, tobacco, textiles and footwear, machinery

Exports - partners (Exports--partners) [time series]

Russia 58%, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Belarus, Romania, US, Germany, Italy (1997)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity--$10 billion (1998 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP--composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 30% industry: 29% services: 41% (1997)

Real GDP per capita (GDP--per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity?$2,200 (1998 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP--real growth rate) [time series]

-8.6% (1998 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 25.8% (1992)

Imports [time series]

$1.02 billion (f.o.b., 1998)

Imports - commodities (Imports--commodities) [time series]

oil, gas, coal, steel, machinery, chemical products, metals, metal products, foodstuffs, automobiles, other consumer durables

Imports - partners (Imports--partners) [time series]

Russia 26%, Ukraine 20%, Belarus, Romania, Germany, Italy (1997)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-5% (1998 est.)

Industries [time series]

food processing, agricultural machinery, foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, hosiery, sugar, vegetable oil, shoes, textiles

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

18.3% (1998 est.)

Labor force [time series]

1.7 million (1998)

Labor force - by occupation (Labor force--by occupation) [time series]

agriculture 40.2%, industry 14.3%, other 45.5% (1998)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Unemployment rate [time series]

2% (includes only officially registered unemployed; large numbers of underemployed workers) (September 1998)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 33,843 sq km land: 33,371 sq km water: 472 sq km

Area - comparative (Area--comparative) [time series]

slightly larger than Maryland

Climate [time series]

moderate winters, warm summers

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Nistru River 2 m highest point: Mount Balaneshty 430 m

Environment - current issues (Environment--current issues) [time series]

heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods

International environmental agreements (Environment--international agreements) [time series]

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Geographic coordinates [time series]

47 00 N, 29 00 E

Geography - note (Geography--note) [time series]

landlocked

Irrigated land [time series]

3,110 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1,389 km border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 939 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 53% permanent crops: 14% permanent pastures: 13% forests and woodland: 13% other: 7% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania

Map references [time series]

Commonwealth of Independent States

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

landslides (57 cases in 1998)

Natural resources [time series]

lignite, phosphorites, gypsum

Terrain [time series]

rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

40 raions (singular--raion) and 4 municipalities*; Anenii Noi, Balti*, Basarabeasca, Bender*, Briceni, Cahul, Cainari, Calarasi, Camenca, Cantemir, Causeni, Ceadir-Lunga, Chisinau*, Cimislia, Comrat, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari, Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Grigoriopol, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova, Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Ribnita, Riscani, Singerei, Slobozia, Soldanesti, Soroca, Stefan-Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Tiraspol*, Ungheni, Vulcanesti note: in accordance with the Law on Territorial Administrative Reform, the 40 raions have been reorganized into 9 counties (judets), one municipality*, and 2 territorial units**: Baltsi, Cahul, Chisinau, Chisinau*, Dubossary district (Transnistria)**, Edinets, Gagauzia**, Lapushna, Orhei, Soroca, Tighina, Ungheni; the status of the Dubossary district is still under negotiation

Capital [time series]

Chisinau

Constitution [time series]

new constitution adopted 28 July 1994; replaces old Soviet constitution of 1979

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Moldova conventional short form: Moldova local long form: Republica Moldova local short form: none former: Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova; Moldavia

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Rudolf Villem PERINA embassy: Strada Alexei Mateevicie, #103, Chisinau 2009 mailing address: use embassy street address; pouch address--American Embassy Chisinau, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7080

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Ceslav CIOBANU chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Petru LUCINSCHI (since 15 January 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Ion CIUBUC (since 15 January 1997) and four deputy prime ministers cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 17 November 1996; runoff election 1 December 1996 (next to be held NA November 2000); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of the majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament; names of deputy prime ministers are submitted by the prime minister for acceptance by the president election results: Petru LUCINSCHI ran against Mircea SNEGUR and was elected president; percent of vote--LUCINSCHI 54%, SNEGUR 46%; Prime Minister Ion CIUBUC was appointed by the president 15 January 1997 and was elected by a parliamentary vote of 75-15 on 24 January 1997

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

same color scheme as Romania--three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

International organization participation [time series]

ACCT, BIS, BSEC, CCC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court

Legal system [time series]

based on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legality of legislative acts and governmental decisions of resolution; it is unclear if Moldova accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction but accepts many UN and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) documents

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 22 March 1998 (next to be held spring 2002) election results: percent of vote by party--PCM 30%, CDM 19%, PMDP 18%, PFD 9%; seats by party--PCM 40, CDM 26, PMDP 24, PFD 11 note: the comparative breakdown of seats by faction is approximate

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 27 August 1991

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Communist Party or PCM [Vladimir VORONIN, first chairman]; The Democratic Convention or CDM (includes the Christian Democratic Popular Front or FPCD and the Party of chairman]; Bloc for a Democratic and Prosperous Moldova or PMDP

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

The Ecology Movement of president]; Liberal Convention of Moldova (now the Liberal Party);

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops)

Military expenditures - dollar figure (Military expenditures--dollar figure) [time series]

$6.3 million (FY99)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures--percent of GDP) [time series]

1% (1999)

Military manpower - availability (Military manpower--availability) [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,151,674 (1999 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service (Military manpower--fit for military service) [time series]

males age 15-49: 908,347 (1999 est.)

Military manpower - military age (Military manpower--military age) [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually (Military manpower--reaching military age annually) [time series]

males: 38,666 (1999 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 24% (male 555,096; female 535,625) 15-64 years: 66% (male 1,408,334; female 1,529,542) 65 years and over: 10% (male 160,317; female 271,924) (1999 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

14.43 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate [time series]

12.5 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Moldavian/Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian 13%, Gagauz 3.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Bulgarian 2%, other 1.7% (1989 est.) note: internal disputes with ethnic Russians in the Transdniester region

Infant mortality rate [time series]

43.52 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Languages [time series]

Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 64.39 years male: 59.76 years female: 69.24 years (1999 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96% male: 99% female: 94% (1989 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Moldovan(s) adjective: Moldovan

Net migration rate [time series]

-0.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Population [time series]

4,460,838 (July 1999 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.1% (1999 est.)

Religions [time series]

Eastern Orthodox 98.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist (only about 1,000 members) (1991) note: the large majority of churchgoers are ethnic Moldovans

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.86 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international (Disputes--international) [time series]

separatist Transdniester region, comprising the area between the Nistru (Dniester) River and Ukraine, has its own de facto government, dominated by Moldovan Slavs

Illicit drugs [time series]

limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe and possibly the United States

Transportation

Airports [time series]

26 (1994 est.)

Airports - with paved runways (Airports--with paved runways) [time series]

total: 8 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 under 914 m: 3 (1994 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways (Airports--with unpaved runways) [time series]

total: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 8 (1994 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 12,300 km paved: 10,738 km unpaved: 1,562 km (1996 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

natural gas 310 km (1992)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

none

Railways [time series]

total: 1,328 km broad gauge: 1,328 km 1.520-m gauge (1992)

Waterways [time series]

424 km (1994)