Unemployment in Moldova
Moldova: Unemployment was 18.27 in 2025. ▼ Falling
Unemployment in Moldova, 2017–2025
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment in Moldova is 18.27, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 11.3% on the previous year and down 53.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment in Moldova peaked at 38.94 in 2017 and was at its lowest, 12.2, in 2021.
Moldova ranks 56th of 58 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Unemployment in Moldova, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 38.94 | — |
| 2018 | 18.45 | -52.6% |
| 2019 | 22.65 | +22.8% |
| 2020 | 18.07 | -20.2% |
| 2021 | 12.2 | -32.5% |
| 2022 | 14.05 | +15.1% |
| 2023 | 22.88 | +62.9% |
| 2024 | 20.58 | -10.0% |
| 2025 | 18.27 | -11.3% |
Moldova compared with similar countries
- Moldova's 18.27 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 320.73, 6% of the median. (10 countries reporting)
- Moldova's 18.27 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 266.61, 7% of the median. (34 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 26.68 | 18.45 | 38.94 | 3 |
| 2020s | 17.68 | 12.2 | 22.88 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Moldova
- 53 Romania 48.05 compare
- 54 Cyprus 32.42 compare
- 55 Luxembourg 18.44 compare
- 57 Iceland 4.17
- 58 Seychelles 1.33 compare
More work & labour data for Moldova
- Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 654.38 (2027)
- Labour force participation rate (ILO modelled estimates) 72.49 (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 1,725 (2027)
- Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) 1.5 (2027)
- Labour dependency ratio 0.726 (2027)
- Output per worker, GDP constant 2021 international $ at PPP 24,890 (2027)
- Output per worker, GDP constant 2015 US $ 5,854 (2027)
- Employment-to-population ratio (ILO modelled estimates) 71.4 (2027)
- Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+) -0.868 % change on previous year (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+), annual growth rate -0.4043 % change on previous year (2027)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment in Moldova?
- Unemployment in Moldova was 18.27 in 2025, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest unemployment recorded in Moldova?
- The highest recorded value was 38.94 in 2017.
- What is the lowest unemployment recorded in Moldova?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.2 in 2021.
- How does Moldova rank for unemployment?
- Moldova ranks 56th out of 58 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment rising or falling in Moldova?
- Over the last ten years it is down 53.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Moldova data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Unemployment (previous ILO definition - ICLS13). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. The unemployed comprise all persons of working age who were: a) without work during the reference period, i.e. were not in paid employment or self-employment; b) currently available for work, i.e. were available for paid employment or self-employment during the reference period; and c) seeking work, i.e. had taken specific steps in a specified recent period to seek paid employment or self-employment. The term disability, as defined in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), is used as an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. For measurement purposes, a person with disability is defined as a person who is limited in the kind or amount of activities that he or she can do because of ongoing difficulties due to a long-term physical condition, mental condition or health problem. For more information, refer to the Disability Labour Market Indicators (DLMI) database description.