Moldova Brain Drain Slows: Salary Expectations Rise
Moldovans are still more likely to see their future abroad than at home, but the rate of emigration has slowed down in recent years, according to economic expert Veaceslav Ioniță.
Data from a February opinion poll supports this claim. However, Ioniță identifies a troubling trend: a growing number of young Moldovans are intent on leaving the country.
While salary expectations in Moldova have risen, they are now closer to the actual salaries offered in the country. A recent survey asked Moldovans what they believed to be a fair salary to keep them from emigrating. The most common response fell between 10,000 and 20,000 lei, with a significant 17% suggesting an even higher range of 20,000 to 25,000 lei.
Ioniță suggests that a national average salary around 17,500 lei could significantly reduce emigration rates. In 2017, the desired salary to stay in Moldova was 10,000 lei. By 2024, expectations have risen to 17,000 lei, highlighting a potential mismatch between aspirations and reality.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
