Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

2 (1999)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 7, FM 50, shortwave 3 (1998)

Radios [time series]

3.22 million (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

inadequate, outmoded, poor service outside Chisinau, some effort to modernize is under way domestic: new subscribers face long wait for service; mobile cellular telephone service being introduced international: service through Romania and Russia via landline; satellite earth stations - Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

566,000 (1995)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

14 (1995)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

40 (1998)

Televisions [time series]

1.26 million (1997)

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]

Moldovan leu (MLD) (plural lei)

Debt - external [time series]

$1.3 billion (December 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. As part of an ambitious reform effort, Moldova introduced a stable convertible currency, freed all prices, stopped issuing preferential credits to state enterprises, backed steady land privatization, removed export controls, and freed interest rates. Yet these efforts could not offset the impact of political and economic difficulties, both internal and regional. In 1998, the economic troubles of Russia, by far Moldova's leading trade partner, were a major cause of the 8.6% drop in GDP; the value of the currency in relation to the dollar fell by half. In 1999, GDP fell again, by 4.4%, the fifth drop in the past six years; exports were down, and energy supplies continued erratic. GDP is expected to remain at about the same level in 2000.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

7.065 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (1998)

Electricity - imports [time series]

1.8 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - production [time series]

5.661 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 93% hydro: 7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)

Exchange rates [time series]

lei (MLD) per US$1 (end of year) - 12.1408 (January 2000), 10.5158 (1999), 5.3707 (1998), 4.6236 (1997), 4.6045 (1996), 4.4958 (1995)

Exports [time series]

$470 million (f.o.b., 1999)

Exports - commodities [time series]

foodstuffs, wine, and tobacco 66%; textiles and footwear, machinery (1998)

Exports - partners [time series]

Russia 53%, Romania 10%, Ukraine 8%, Germany 5%, Belarus 4% (1998)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

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

purchasing power parity - $9.7 billion (1999 est.)

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

agriculture: 31% industry: 35% services: 34% (1998)

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

purchasing power parity - $2,200 (1999 est.)

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

-4.4% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$560 million (f.o.b., 1999)

Imports - commodities [time series]

mineral products and fuel 31%, machinery and equipment, chemicals, textiles (1998)

Imports - partners [time series]

Russia 22%, Ukraine 16%, Romania 12%, Belarus 9%, Germany 5% (1998)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-10% (1999 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]

38% (1999 est.)

Labor force [time series]

1.7 million (1998)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Population below poverty line [time series]

75% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

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

Area [time series]

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

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: Dealul Balanesti 430 m

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 [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, arable land

Terrain [time series]

rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea

Administrative divisions [time series]

10 juletule (singular - juletul) 1 municipality* 1 autonomous territorial unit**; Balti, Cahul, Chisinau, Chisinau*, Dubasari, Edinet, Gagauzia**, Lapusna, Orhei, Soroca, Tighina, Ungheni

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]

MD

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 telephone: [373] (2) 23-37-72 FAX: [373] (2) 23-30-44

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Ceslav CIOBANU chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 667-1130 FAX: [1] (202) 667-1204

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Petru LUCINSCHI (since 15 January 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Dumitru BRAGHIS (since 21 December 1999), one first deputy prime minister and two deputy prime ministers cabinet: selected by prime minister-designate, subject to approval of parliament 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-December 2000); according to the Moldovan constitution, the president, on consulting with the parliament, will designate a candidate for the office of prime minister; within 15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate will request a vote of confidence from the parliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet election results: Petru LUCINSCHI elected president; percent of vote - Petru LUCINSCHI 54%, Mircea SNEGUR 46%; Dumitru BRAGHIS was nominated by the president 16 December 1999 and was elected prime minister by a parliamentary vote of 57-4 (40 abstentions) on 21 December 1999

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; Constitutional Court is the sole authority of constitutional judicature

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; parties and electoral blocs, as well as independent candidates, compete in popular elections 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]

Bloc for a Democratic and Prosperous Moldova or PMDP [Dumitru DIACOV]; Christian Democratic Popular Front or FPCD [Iurie ROSCA, chairman]; Communist Party or PCM [Vladimir VORONIN, first chairman]; Democratic Convention of Moldova or CDM [Mircea SNEGUR, chairman]; Party of Democratic Forces or PFD [Valeriu MATEI, chairman]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Background [time series]

Formerly ruled by Romania, Moldova became part of the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although independent from the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Nistru (Dnister) River supporting the Slavic majority population (mostly Ukrainians and Russians) who have proclaimed a "Transnistria" republic.

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 [time series]

$6 million (FY99)

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

1% (FY99)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,156,705 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 913,896 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 40,239 (2000 est.)

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 23% (male 523,373; female 505,064) 15-64 years: 67% (male 1,422,470; female 1,544,169) 65 years and over: 10% (male 161,659; female 273,919) (2000 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

12.86 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate [time series]

12.58 deaths/1,000 population (2000 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 Slavs in the Transnistrian region

Infant mortality rate [time series]

43.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 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: 64.45 years male: 59.92 years female: 69.22 years (2000 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]

-0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Population [time series]

4,430,654 (July 2000 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

-0% (2000 est.)

Religions [time series]

Eastern Orthodox 98.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist (only about 1,000 members) (1991)

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 (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.63 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Disputes - international [time series]

separatist Transnistria 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 US [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]

Airports [time series]

26 (1994 est.)

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 [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)