This document summarizes key statistics from Moldova relating to its economy, prices, workforce, and public opinion from January to December 2008. Some key findings include: - Moldova's exports in October 2008 were $150.4 million, down 2.6% from the previous month but up 5% from October 2007, while imports were $428.5 million, down 2.1% from the previous month but up 16% from 2007. - Inflation remained steady in November 2008 as food prices did not change and non-food prices fell 0.6% while service tariffs rose 1.1%. - The workforce was estimated at 1,359,000 people in the third quarter

1. Moldovan Agriculture and Consumer Price
Statistic Fact Sheet Summary1
January - December 2008
General Figures
1. External trading activity of Republic Moldova in January - October, 2008.
The national bureau of statistics informs that in October, 2008 export of goods of Republic Moldova
was about 150,4 mln. US dollar and that is less than 2,6% on the last month and on 5,0 % more in
compare with October 2007.
Import of the goods October, 2008 is about 428,5 mln. US dollar and its on 2,1 % less than the last
month and on 16,0 % more in compare with October 2007.
2. Consumer price index (rate of inflation) in November, 2008.
According to the national bureau of statistics a consumer price index (rate of inflation) in
November, 2008 have remained at a same level as of the last month. Its made happen by the
recession of the prices on non-food commodities on 0,6 %, and growth of services tariffs on 1,1 %.
The prices for food articles have remained at a level of October 2008.
3. Workforce in III trimester 2008.
The national Bureau of Statistics informs, that in III quarter 2008 economically active population
(occupied and the unemployed) in Moldova estimated about 1359 thousand person, almost as much,
how many in was in III quarter of 2007. Serious inequalities to a sexual attribute it was not
observed, the number of men only was higher than number of women 1 %. The percentage of rural
the population was higher then in city (56,5 % and 43,5 %, accordingly).
4. Salary scale
The national Bureau of Statistics informs, that in January - October 2008 the monthly average wages
of one worker in national economy have made 2474,9 lei and have increased in comparison with the
corresponding period of 2007 on 24 %. The real wages for the same period have grown up to 9 %.
In budgetary level the average wages is about 1917,1 lei and have increased in comparison with the
same period of the last year period for 21 %.
Public Barometer2
• The economic security remains a major issue for the Republic of Moldova. The largest share
of respondents (73%) stated they do not enjoy a decent living: the income of 27% of the
sample is not enough „at least for the essential”, while the income of 46% of respondents
allows them just the essential. Such a poverty line remains constant, with some insignificant
fluctuations, over the past 6-7 years. Aged people (88%) and people with a low social-
economic level (90%) are the most affected by such a problem.
• To mention also in this context that the largest share of people are still mostly concerned
about prices (72%, i.e. more than last spring) and poverty (54%, i.e. less than last spring),
while another significant share are concerned about children’s future (49%) and
1
BIROUL NAÞIONAL DE STATISTICÃ, January-September 2008
2
Barometer of Public Opinion – September-October 2008, Insitutul de Politici Publici, October 2008

2. unemployment (34%). The concern about prices is mostly expressed by aged people (82%)
and people of the urban areas (76%). The issue of corruption concerns more the people of the
urban areas, young people (aged 18-29), people with a high educational background and an
average or a high social-economic level.
• 39% of respondents are discontent with their living, such an index having decreased by 10%
compared to the previous poll. Their discontentment is caused firstly by the shortage of
money (83% are not so content or discontent), health care (73%), cleanliness/aspect of their
community (72%) and political life in the country (65%).
• Most respondents (53%) stated their living has not changed compared to the one of a year
ago, and one firth of respondents stated their living has worsened.
• The largest share of the sample (65%) consider that in the Republic of Moldova people
cannot run their own business without bribing state officials. In the same time, 48% of
respondents stated that the media cannot disseminate freely news and comments, without
Government censorship. To mention also that 41% of respondents (or 10% more than in
2006) consider that Public Broadcasting Company reports the events somewhat or totally
from the perspective of the ruling party’s interests. On the other hand, 65% of respondents
do not feel themselves free to criticize the government.
Prepared by AM
December 25