Census: Nearly 18,000 fathers in Moldova are single parents
Nearly 95% of families in the Republic of Moldova consist of traditional units—parents and children. However, family composition can vary significantly by area of residence. According to updated data from the 2024 Census, childless couples are most common in the country's northern districts, while larger cities, such as Chisinau, have a higher proportion of single-parent families.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), about 2.38 million people live in households across the country, with over 975,000 officially married.
Additionally, there are 107,000 individuals in undocumented couples (consensual unions), and 141,000 who are raising their children alone.
Marriage is more prevalent in rural areas, where the percentage of married individuals is 2.6 percentage points higher than in urban areas.
Among unofficial couples, most live in the Chisinau municipality, with a rate of 4.9%. Conversely, the Gagauzia Autonomous Region has the lowest percentage in the country at 2.3%.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reports over 651,000 family-type households in the country, with the vast majority—more than 621,000—structured around a core family. Of these, 80% consist of couples with or without children, while the remaining households are single-parent families.
The data reveals a significant disparity between the number of mothers and fathers raising children on their own:
- Single mothers with children: over 105,000 households
- Single fathers with children: nearly 18,000 households
Additionally, the information highlights that a larger proportion of couples without children live in rural areas (40.6%) than in urban areas (32.5%).
Conversely, cities have a higher concentration of families with children, accounting for 44.8% of such households. In urban areas, 20% of families are led by single mothers, while in rural areas, this percentage drops to 14%.
The situation for single fathers also differs significantly: in rural areas, the rate of single fathers with children is higher than in urban areas, standing at 3.2% compared to 2.6%.
At the regional level, the northern part of the Republic of Moldova has the highest percentage of couples without children, at 42%. In contrast, Chisinau has the lowest percentage of childless couples, at 30%.
Looking at the district level, the highest percentages of families without children are found in:
- Soldanesti: 45.8%
- Edinet: 45.5%
- Drochia: 45.2%
Meanwhile, most families with children are concentrated in the country's central region and around the capital. The Ialoveni district leads with nearly 49% of families consisting of couples with children, followed closely by Chisinau municipality at 47.2% and Criuleni district at 47.1%.
Additionally, the major urban centers, including the municipalities of Chisinau and Balti, have the highest rates of single-parent families with children, both at 23%.
In a report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), published on July 10, the authors conclude that a standard scenario has emerged worldwide for how young people build their lives.
It starts with getting a decent job, then a home of their own, followed by a stable partnership that leads to marriage.
The UNFPA study also showed that young people in the Republic of Moldova want to start families and have children, thus dismantling the stereotype according to which the new generation rejects marriage. Young people do not reject the idea of having a family or children, but they want to take these steps when living conditions provide the necessary security.
The data also showed that every second young person intends to have a child in the next three years, but only if they have financial stability, a home and a compatible partner.
