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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.md

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

11,984 (2003)

Internet users [time series]

150,000 (2002)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 7, FM 50, shortwave 3 (1998)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: 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: country code - 373; service through Romania and Russia via landline; satellite earth stations - Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik

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

706,900 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

338,200 (2002)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

1 (plus 30 repeaters) (1995)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $648.1 million expenditures: $634.8 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency (code)) [time series]

Moldovan leu (MDL)

Current account balance [time series]

$-148.4 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$1.4 billion (2004 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

40.6 (1997)

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

$100 million (2000)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe despite recent progress from its small economic base. It 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 almost all of its energy supplies from Russia. Energy shortages contributed to sharp production declines after the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991. As part of an ambitious reform effort after independence, Moldova introduced a convertible currency, freed prices, stopped issuing preferential credits to state enterprises, backed steady land privatization, removed export controls, and freed interest rates. The government entered into agreements with the World Bank and the IMF to promote growth and reduce poverty. The economy returned to positive growth of 2.1% in 2000, 6.1% in 2001, 7.2% in 2002, 6.3% in 2003, and 6.8% in 2004. Further reforms will come slowly because of strong political forces backing government controls. The economy remains vulnerable to higher fuel prices, poor agricultural weather, and the skepticism of foreign investors.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

4.605 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports [time series]

1 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production [time series]

3.876 billion kWh (2002)

Exchange rates [time series]

lei per US dollar - 12.33 (2004), 13.945 (2003), 13.571 (2002), 12.865 (2001), 12.434 (2000)

Exports [time series]

$1.03 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

foodstuffs, textiles, machinery

Exports - partners [time series]

Russia 35.8%, Italy 13.9%, Romania 10%, Germany 7.3%, Ukraine 6.6%, Belarus 6%, US 4.6% (2004)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

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

$8.581 billion (2004 est.)

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

agriculture: 22.4% industry: 24.8% services: 52.8% (2004 est.)

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

purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2004 est.)

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

6.8% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 30.7% (1997)

Imports [time series]

$1.83 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

mineral products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals, textiles (2000)

Imports - partners [time series]

Ukraine 24.6%, Russia 12.2%, Romania 9.3%, Germany 8.5%, Italy 7.4% (2004)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

17% (2003 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]

11.5% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

17.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Labor force [time series]

1.36 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture 40%, industry 14%, services 46% (1998)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

2.05 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

2.05 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption [time series]

24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

Oil - imports [time series]

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

80% (2001 est.)

Public debt [time series]

63.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$390 million (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

8% (roughly 25% of working age Moldovans are employed abroad) (2002 est.)

Geography

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: Dniester 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, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates [time series]

47 00 N, 29 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone

Irrigated land [time series]

3,070 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

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

Land use [time series]

arable land: 55.3% permanent crops: 10.79% other: 33.91% (2001)

Location [time series]

Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

landslides (57 cases in 1998)

Natural resources [time series]

lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone

Terrain [time series]

rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

32 raions (raioane, singular - raionul), 3 municipalities (municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala) : counties: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir, Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari, Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova, Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti, Soroca, Stefan-Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Ungheni : municipalities: Balti, Bender, Chisinau : autonomous territorial unit: Gagauzia : territorial unit: Stinga Nistrului

Capital [time series]

Chisinau

Constitution [time series]

new constitution adopted 29 July 1994, effective 27 August 1994; replaced 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: Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic; Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Heather M. HODGES embassy: 103 Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [373] (22) 408-300 FAX: [373] (22) 23-30-44

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Mihail MANOLI 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 Vladimir VORONIN (since 4 April 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Vasile TARLEV (since 15 April 2001), First Deputy Prime Minister Vasile IOVV (since 29 January 2002) cabinet: selected by president, subject to approval of Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 4 April 2005 (next to be held NA 2009); note - prime minister designated by the president, upon consultation with Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate must request a vote of confidence from the Parliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet; prime minister designated 15 April 2001, cabinet received a vote of confidence 19 April 2001 election results: Vladimir VORONIN reelected president; parliamentary votes - Vladimir VORONIN 75, Gheorghe DUCA 1; Vasile TARLEV designated prime minister; parliamentary votes of confidence - 75 of 101

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, BSEC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (the sole authority for 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 elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 6 March 2005 (next to be held NA 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - PCRM 46.1%, Democratic Moldova Bloc 28.4%, PPCD 9.1%, other parties 16.4%; seats by party - PCRM 56, Democratic Moldova Bloc 34, PPCD 11

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 27 August (1991)

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

Democratic Modova Bloc [Serafim URECHEANU] includes: Democratic Party [Dumitru DIACOV], Our Moldova Alliance [Dumitru BRAGHIS, Serafim URECHEANU], Social Liberal Party [Oleg SEREBRIAN]; Communist Party of the Republic of Moldova or PCRM [Vladimir VORONIN, first chairman]; Popular Christian Democratic Party or PPCD [Iurie ROSCA]

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

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Formerly part of Romania, Moldova was incorporated into 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 Dniester River supporting the Slavic majority population, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed a "Transnistria" republic. The poorest nation in Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a Communist as its president in 2001.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 1,066,459 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 693,913 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually [time series]

males: 43,729 (2005 est.)

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

National Army: Ground Forces, Air Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$8.7 million (2004)

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

0.4% (FY02)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for compulsory military service; national service obligation - 12 months (2004)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 20.2% (male 459,452/female 442,725) 15-64 years: 69.5% (male 1,489,813/female 1,606,202) 65 years and over: 10.3% (male 169,038/female 288,191) (2005 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

15.27 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate [time series]

12.79 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Moldovan/Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian 13%, Jewish 1.5%, Bulgarian 2%, Gagauz and other 5.2% (1989 est.) note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

less than 300 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

5,500 (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 40.42 deaths/1,000 live births male: 43.11 deaths/1,000 live births female: 37.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 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: 65.18 years male: 61.12 years female: 69.43 years (2005 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.1% male: 99.6% female: 98.7% (2003 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 32.22 years male: 30.14 years female: 34.27 years (2005 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Moldovan(s) adjective: Moldovan

Net migration rate [time series]

-0.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Population [time series]

4,455,421 (July 2005 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.22% (2005 est.)

Religions [time series]

Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.81 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Moldova and Ukraine have established joint customs posts to monitor transit through Moldova's break-away Transnistria Region which remains under OSCE supervision

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; widespread crime and underground economic activity

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

IDPs: 1,000 (internal secessionist uprising in Transdniestrian region in 1991) (2004)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

23 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 17 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 12,719 km paved: 10,977 km unpaved: 1,742 km (2002)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,636 GRT/1,088 DWT by type: cargo 2 (2005)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 606 km (2004)

Railways [time series]

total: 1,138 km broad gauge: 1,124 km 1.520-m gauge standard gauge: 14 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Waterways [time series]

424 km (2004)