Incomes in villages lower than in cities
Families in the Republic of Moldova typically have an average income of less than 6,000 lei per person, with wages serving as their primary source of income. Rural households are more reliant on transfers from abroad and social payments, which represent the second most significant source of their income.
According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, the average monthly income per family member last year was 5,767 lei, which represents a 9.1% increase compared to 2024. However, this rise in income does not correspond to an increase in purchasing power, as it does not consider the price increases that have occurred over the year.
Traditionally, incomes in urban areas are higher than those in rural areas, with the difference in 2025 exceeding 3,000 lei per person.
In urban areas, wage earnings account for 62% of total income, while in rural areas, this figure is only 45.6%. The population in villages relies more on social benefits, which make up 26.2% of total income, compared to 18.3% in cities.
Additionally, households in rural areas are more dependent on transfers from abroad, with these transfers accounting for 8% of their total income, compared to 6.7% for urban households.
The average income per person tends to decrease as the number of members in a household increases. Singles earn, on average, 1.9 times more than families with five or more members. In households with three or more children, wage income accounts for a smaller share of total income than in households with no children or with one to two children.
In 2025, the average per capita expenditure in the Republic of Moldova was 4,995.5 lei. The largest portion of spending, accounting for 41% of the total budget, was on food purchases. Housing and maintenance costs comprised 16.2% of expenditures, while transportation costs accounted for 8.2%.
Additional expenses included 6.9% for clothing and footwear, 5.9% for furniture and household equipment, and 4.6% for health-related costs.
Authorities established a minimum salary of 6,300 lei for this year, while the average salary is projected at 17,400 lei.
