Disability prevalence in Moldova
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (BNS), approximately 6% of Moldova's population, or over 162,000 people, have disabilities. This figure was released in conjunction with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed today.
Of those with disabilities, about 11,000 are children under the age of 17.
The BNS report found that nearly everyone of these individuals is classified as having severe disabilities and are between the ages of 30 and 45.
Their employment rate is three times lower than that of other categories, and half of those who have a job work primarily in the services sector, followed by agriculture, industry, and construction.
"The situation of persons with disabilities in the labour market remains difficult," stated Ion Munteanu, director of the National Bureau of Statistics. "The employment rate of this category is significantly lower than that of the general population."
The BNS report also revealed that persons with disabilities are more likely to live in poverty than the general population.
"The government needs to take measures to improve the situation of persons with disabilities in the labour market and in society as a whole," remarked Munteanu.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
