Country Comments

Moldova’s current population and consumption exceed its carrying capacity which is not sustainable. Good news however, is the country’s population has been gradually declining since the mid 1990s first due to high emigration but now driven by a consistently low fertility rate of less than 1.3 children per woman.

Friends of Earth reports the environment of Moldova suffered extreme degradation during the Soviet period, when industrial and agricultural development proceeded without regard for environmental protection. Excessive use of pesticides resulted in heavily polluted topsoil, and industries lacked emission controls. Soil contamination and groundwater pollution are associated problems. Forests cover only 11% of the territory. The state is making efforts to increase forest covered areas, which would improve land and soil quality and protection. (1)

The UN indicates that women still face discrimination and inequality in social, economic and political life and their representation in Moldovan politics and decision-making remains below international benchmarks. Women in Moldova face specific education and labour market barriers. Persistent patriarchal attitudes limit their educational choices and employment options.

Moldova has made international and national commitments to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women, in particular by ratifying the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and various ILO Conventions. (2)

(1) https://naturvernforbundet.no/international/environmental-issues-in-moldova/category940.html

(2) https://moldova.unwomen.org/en/munca-noastra/gender-equality-in-moldova#:~:text=Moldova%20has%20made%20international%20and,in%202006%20of%20Law%20No.