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Moldova's wage gap: A comparative analysis

As of 2025, Moldova's average salary will be 16,100 lei (approximately 845 euros), and the minimum wage will rise to 5,500 lei (approximately 287 euros).

While this represents progress for the national economy, it still lags behind other countries in the region and Europe.

Neighboring Ukraine is projected to have an average salary of 566 euros and a minimum wage of just 185 euros in 2025. Moldova outperforms Ukraine in both categories by over 50%. However, Ukraine's labor market continues to be heavily impacted by the challenging economic conditions and ongoing military conflict.

Russia offers an average salary of 1,000 euros, 18% higher than Moldova's. Yet, Moldova's minimum wage is 30% higher than Russia's.

Closer to European standards, Romania has a minimum wage of 813 euros and a gross average salary of 1,678 euros. These figures significantly surpass Moldova's, with Romania's minimum wage almost triple that of Moldova or nearly equal to Moldova's projected average salary.

Even Bulgaria, the EU's poorest nation, outperforms Moldova. Bulgaria's average salary is 1,300 euros, over 60% higher than Moldova's, and its minimum wage is double Moldova's.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, advanced economies like Estonia and Andorra offer substantially higher salaries. Estonia's average salary is over twice Moldova's, and its minimum wage exceeds Moldova's average. Andorra's average salary is 2,040 euros, and its minimum wage is nearly five times higher than Moldova's.

Translation by Iurie Tataru

Salary Comparison in 2025

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