Moldova's population pyramid is inverted
The number of young people in Moldova has fallen sharply due to declining demographics and migration. In 2022, for the first time in the country's history, the number of young people was lower than the number of elderly, according to an analysis by economic policy expert Veaceslav Ioniță.
Ioniță said that the situation is expected to remain unchanged in 2023.
"The number of elderly people is increasing because they are living longer and fewer children are being born. The number of elderly people who have emigrated is three times lower than the number of people in other age groups. If 60 years ago, the ratio was 1 to 16, that is, 16 people of other ages to one elderly person, now the ratio is 1 to 4, out of four people, one is elderly and three are in the category of people under the age of 60," said Ioniță.
Ioniță also noted that the number of young people of working age is too small to provide a decent pension for the elderly.
"The situation in 2023 will be worse than expected. Due to better living conditions and quality of life, elderly people are living longer and their numbers are increasing. They are less likely to emigrate, and if they have emigrated, when they turn 60-65, they return home. Young people, unfortunately, are leaving, and at present, we practically have fewer young people in the country who are the labor force than those who have already left," said the economist.
According to Ioniță, in 2023, there are approximately 600,000 elderly people in Moldova compared to 540,000 young people.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
