Photo: User:Zserghei derivative work: Jjtkk · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Moldova: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Moldova is placed 11th of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 71.2 (2025); Labour Income Share 60.04 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
11th
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Moldova on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
71.2
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Moldova: 71.2. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Eastern Europe
- 71.2 Moldova
- Land neighbours
- Romania 48.26
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
1.505
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Moldova: 1.505. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Eastern Europe
- 1.505 Moldova
- Land neighbours
- Romania 5.992
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
58.62
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Moldova: 58.62. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Eastern Europe
- 4.931 Russia
- Land neighbours
- Romania 13.05
02Over time
Which way Moldova is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
MoldovaWorld median
Moldova rose from 54.8 in 2000 to 71.2 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Moldova World median 2025 71.20 57.720 2024 71.13 57.694 2023 69.68 58.158 2022 71.87 57.688 2021 71.94 56.066 2020 68.84 55.691 2019 68.29 57.871 2018 66.22 56.911 2017 67.22 56.738 2016 68.80 56.845 2015 68.96 56.788 2014 68.26 56.774 2013 64.01 56.229 2012 63.37 56.289 2011 62.67 56.297 2010 61.49 56.212 2009 58.85 56.255 2008 58.34 57.308 2007 57.23 56.933 2006 55.62 56.685 2005 51.73 56.129 2004 51.60 55.465 2003 53.60 55.630 2002 53.31 55.843 2001 53.68 56.018 2000 54.80 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
MoldovaWorld median
Moldova rose from 49.1 in 2004 to 60.04 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Moldova World median 2025 60.04 46.230 2024 60.34 46.060 2023 59.97 45.900 2022 61.95 45.615 2021 57.48 45.433 2020 59.96 47.267 2019 58.95 46.277 2018 61.15 46.187 2017 56.74 46.467 2016 65.02 46.798 2015 61.19 46.876 2014 55.04 47.281 2013 52.29 46.887 2012 52.26 46.231 2011 49.83 45.679 2010 52.68 46.024 2009 56.52 47.071 2008 52.47 45.312 2007 50.39 45.246 2006 50.86 45.670 2005 49.36 46.265 2004 49.11 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
MoldovaWorld median
Moldova fell from 8.539 in 2000 to 1.505 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Moldova World median 2025 1.505 5.08 2024 1.427 5.15 2023 1.570 5.21 2022 0.909 5.34 2021 0.794 6.04 2020 1.206 6.38 2019 1.502 5.36 2018 1.239 5.35 2017 1.622 5.59 2016 1.591 5.90 2015 1.781 6.41 2014 1.450 6.58 2013 1.894 6.71 2012 2.189 6.79 2011 2.677 6.90 2010 2.972 7.04 2009 3.024 6.67 2008 2.097 5.79 2007 2.749 6.00 2006 4.260 6.50 2005 5.633 7.09 2004 6.374 6.80 2003 6.378 6.95 2002 6.845 6.91 2001 7.366 6.96 2000 8.539 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
MoldovaWorld median
Moldova rose from 36.46 in 2000 to 58.62 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Moldova World median 2025 58.62 28.67 2024 58.54 29.04 2023 58.49 29.33 2022 58.58 29.67 2021 58.78 30.01 2020 59.13 30.54 2019 59.25 29.98 2018 59.62 30.15 2017 60.15 29.93 2016 61.56 29.91 2015 60.51 30.26 2014 59.15 30.47 2013 57.38 31.14 2012 56.68 31.00 2011 55.12 31.41 2010 55.30 32.37 2009 51.36 32.59 2008 49.75 31.76 2007 49.76 33.47 2006 47.58 34.27 2005 44.15 34.66 2004 42.87 35.51 2003 42.89 35.90 2002 40.69 35.96 2001 38.86 35.27 2000 36.46 35.67
03In context
Moldova beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Moldova and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moldova | 11th | 71.2 | 60.04 | 1.505 | 58.62 |
 Romania | 122nd | 48.26 | 44.55 | 5.992 | 13.05 |
 Ukraine | not placed | — | — | — | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern Europe
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Moldova in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Moldova is ahead of the world, and behind
33 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median16
Statistics on which Moldova does better than the middle country measured.
Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4)ILO · 2024 · world median 12.563.49512.56No real change since 2014
Moldova: 3.495 · world median 12.56 · Composite rate of labour underutilisation, LU4 (% of the extended labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.495 to 49.82; lower is better.
Position 74th of 76 · derived, 1st = worst.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.8850.0464.885▼ Worsened since 2015
Moldova: 0.046 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3672.3353.36▲ Improved since 2015
Moldova: 72.33 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 14th of 182 · derived.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.834.19712.83▼ Worsened since 2015
Moldova: 4.197 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 161st of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6672.2961.66▲ Improved since 2015
Moldova: 72.29 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 24th of 182 · derived.
Low Pay RateILO · 2024 · world median 17.8910.9517.89▲ Improved since 2014
Moldova: 10.95 · world median 17.89 · Employees paid less than two-thirds of the median hourly earnings (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.395 to 41.69; lower is better.
Position 61st of 71 · derived, 1st = worst.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 9812698▼ Worsened since 2015
Moldova: 126 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Gini Index of Monthly EarningsILO · 2024 · world median 0.3370.2680.337▼ Worsened since 2014
Moldova: 0.268 · world median 0.337 · Gini index of employees’ monthly earnings (0 = all paid the same, 1 = maximum inequality). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.182 to 0.643; lower is better.
Position 61st of 75 · derived, 1st = worst.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3143▲ Improved since 2015
Moldova: 14 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 025.60No earlier reading
Moldova: 25.6 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Youth Not in Education, Employment or TrainingILO · 2024 · world median 14.3111.4914.31▲ Improved since 2014
Moldova: 11.49 · world median 14.31 · Youth not in education, employment or training (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.975 to 65.73; lower is better.
Position 66th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Informal Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 36.7618.0136.76No earlier reading
Moldova: 18.01 · world median 36.76 · Informal employment (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.857 to 94.44; lower is better.
Position 62nd of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1621.5819.16No earlier reading
Moldova: 21.58 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 66th of 179 · derived.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8136.5141.81No earlier reading
Moldova: 36.51 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 109th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6818.5816.68No earlier reading
Moldova: 18.58 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 62nd of 139 · derived.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.611.461.61▼ Worsened since 2015
Moldova: 1.46 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Behind the world median9
Statistics on which Moldova does worse than the middle country measured.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0731.3532.07No earlier reading
Moldova: 31.35 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.94445.9No earlier reading
Moldova: 44 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,38429,82447,384▲ Improved since 2015
Moldova: 29,824 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 111th of 168 · derived.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.161222.16No real change since 2015
Moldova: 12 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 123rd of 182 · derived.
Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed PersonsILO · 2024 · world median 0.5750.450.575No earlier reading
Moldova: 0.45 · world median 0.575 · Labour inspectors per 10,000 employed persons. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 3.89; higher is better.
Average Monthly Earnings of EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 1,636863.71,636▲ Improved since 2014
Moldova: 863.7 · world median 1,636 · Average monthly earnings of employees (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 193.28 to 9,307; higher is better.
Position 61st of 75 · derived.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,7421,6126,742▲ Improved since 2015
Moldova: 1,612 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 123rd of 151 · derived.
Fatal Occupational InjuriesILO · 2023 · world median 2.00542.005▼ Worsened since 2013
Moldova: 4 · world median 2.005 · Fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 workers. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.12 to 8.409; lower is better.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,2304,74225,230No real change since 2010
Moldova: 4,742 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 135th of 151 · derived.
No better end8
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.0130.2915.01No earlier reading
Moldova: 30.29 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 15th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.3850.514.38Moved since 2015
Moldova: 50.5 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 23rd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8458.7831.84No real change since 2015
Moldova: 58.78 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 46th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.95598.02657.95Moved since 2014
Moldova: 598.02 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Share of Temporary EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 13.4511.2213.45Moved since 2014
Moldova: 11.22 · world median 13.45 · Employees on temporary contracts (% of employees). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.337 to 72.78.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8937.3238.89Moved since 2015
Moldova: 37.32 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 113th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8812.5518.88No real change since 2015
Moldova: 12.55 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 153rd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5136.9459.51Moved since 2015
Moldova: 36.94 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 158th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Moldova
Female Share of Senior and Middle Management. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among Moldova’s 16 topics
Work & Labour is Moldova’s 2nd best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Education & Knowledge7th of 1984/4 keys
- Work & Labour11th of 1824/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 15th of 1834/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality18th of 1593/3 keys
- Governance & Institutions47th of 1944/4 keys
- Digital & Technology51st of 1984/4 keys
- Peace & Security67th of 1774/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 73rd of 1863/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 73rd of 1844/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 78th of 1934/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital84th of 1963/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties86th of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation98th of 1764/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing128th of 2003/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade138th of 1772/4 keys
- Energy134th of 1653/3 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Moldova can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Europe
Iceland1st4/4 keysHighest in Eastern Europe
Belarus=8th4/4 keysThis page
Moldova11th4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Moldova and work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Moldova on work & labour: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Moldova rank on work & labour?
Moldova is placed 11th of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Moldova?
71.2 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Moldova?
60.04 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Moldova compare with Romania on work & labour?
Romania is placed 122nd of 182, and Moldova 11th. Employment-to-Population Ratio: Romania 48.26, Moldova 71.2; Labour Income Share: Romania 44.55, Moldova 60.04; Unemployment Rate: Romania 5.992, Moldova 1.505; Vulnerable Employment: Romania 13.05, Moldova 58.62.
How have Moldova’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio rose from 54.8 in 2000 to 71.2 in 2025; Labour Income Share rose from 49.1 in 2004 to 60.04 in 2025; Unemployment Rate fell from 8.539 in 2000 to 1.505 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment rose from 36.46 in 2000 to 58.62 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Moldova?
No current reading is published for Moldova on Female Share of Senior and Middle Management. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 33 statistics on this page come from 2 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Moldova’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Moldova (banner) — User:Zserghei derivative work: Jjtkk, Public domain
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Moldova: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/moldova/work