MigrantoMigration trends in Moldova
Europe
Moldova loses more people than it takes in: 864.3K emigrants against 180.4K immigrants. Net balance −683.9K — 28% of the country's population
2.4M
Population
180.4K
Immigrants
864.3K
Emigrants
−683.9K
Outflow
1 in 13 residents of Moldova was born abroad — and 1 in 4 people born in Moldova lives abroad
#74 in the world by net migration loss
Top corridors
The largest migration flows in Moldova
Key moments
How migration has changed since 1990
1990
525K immigrants · 634.9K emigrants
1995
- Immigration contracted — the foreign-born population fell 32%
- The outflow deepened — net losses doubled to 248.5K
2005
- Immigration contracted — the foreign-born population fell 30%
2015
- Immigration contracted — the foreign-born population fell 27%
2020
- Italy replaced Russia as the main destination for those leaving
Today
- A surge of arrivals — the foreign-born population jumped 234%
- Roughly 1 in 20 residents was now foreign-born
- Surge of immigrants from Ukraine — 125.7K new arrivals
- The foreign-born population passed 100K residents
- Since 1990: 344.6K fewer foreign-born residents and 229.4K more emigrants
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
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