Moldova Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Moldova's unemployment rate was 1.51% in 2025, ranked 10th globally. This represents a 61.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Moldova's unemployment rate stood at 1.51% in 2025, a decline of +2.45pp from 2024. The IMF projects 3.50% by 2025. Moldova ranked 10th globally.
Moldova’s unemployment rate has fallen dramatically since the early 1990s, declining from 1.90 % in 1991 to a historic low of 0.79 % in 2021, before rising modestly to 1.50 % in 2025, which places the country tenth lowest among the world’s economies. The all‑time peak of 11.14 % in 1999 reflected the severe economic dislocation that accompanied the transition from a centrally planned system, but successive reforms and labour‑market policies have kept the rate well below one‑digit levels for most of the past two decades. Moldova’s current figure is comparable to its peers, such as Vietnam at 1.52 % and the Solomon Islands at 1.43 %, underscoring a regional pattern of low unemployment despite differing economic structures. Continued diversification of exports, investment in skills development and resilience to external shocks will be crucial to sustain the downward trajectory and prevent a reversal of the gains achieved since the early 2000s.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 3.50% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 3.50% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 3.50% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 3.50% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 3.50% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 3.50% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.51% | −2.45pp | #10 |
| 2024 | 1.43% | −3.17pp | #9 |
| 2023 | 1.57% | −1.54pp | #13 |
| 2022 | 0.91% | −2.34pp | #5 |
| 2021 | 0.79% | −3.03pp | #3 |
| 2020 | 1.21% | −3.91pp | #7 |
| 2019 | 1.50% | −1.55pp | #11 |
| 2018 | 1.24% | −2.89pp | #11 |
| 2017 | 1.62% | −2.60pp | #11 |
| 2016 | 1.59% | −3.43pp | #11 |
| 2015 | 1.78% | −2.12pp | #11 |
| 2014 | 1.45% | −3.65pp | #11 |
| 2013 | 1.89% | −3.71pp | #16 |
| 2012 | 2.19% | −4.51pp | #20 |
| 2011 | 2.68% | −4.72pp | #24 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Moldova matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Moldova's unemployment rate was 1.51% in 2025. Ranked 10th globally. This represents a 61.9% decrease from the previous year.
Moldova's unemployment rate peaked at 11.14% in 1999.
The lowest unemployment rate in Moldova was 0.79% in 2021.
Moldova ranks 10th globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Moldova's unemployment rate is projected to reach 3.50% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The unemployment rate of Moldova in 2025 was 1.51%. This ranks 10th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_moldova_unemployment-rate,
title = {Moldova Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/moldova/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}