Republic of Moldova

Introduction

World Factbook:Part of Romania during the interwar period, Moldova was incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although the country has been independent from the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Dniester River supporting a Transnistrian separatist region with a Slavic majority population of mostly Ukrainians and Russians.

Wealth and National Well-Being

Country Comparisons: chart

World Factbook: "Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe despite recent progress from its small economic base. It enjoys a favorable climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova must import almost all of its energy supplies."

Economic growth rate
2011: 6%
2010: 7.1%
2009: minus 6%

Unemployment rate
2011 (3rd quarter): 6.2%
2010: 7.4%09: 2.6%

Public debt
2011: 29.3% of GDP

Exports - commodities:

foodstuffs, textiles, machinery
Exports - partners:

Russia 28.2%, Romania 16.9%, Italy 9.7%, Ukraine 6.9%, Germany 5%, UK 4.6% (2011 est.)

Income Distribution 7-- gini index
Ranks 75th among 140 countries (higher rank number is more equal, lower rank number is less equal). Less equal than Britain, which ranks 94th, and more equal than the US, which ranks 45th.

Health expenditures
2009: 11.9% of GDP

Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP
2005: 0.4%

People

Living in an urban area
2010: 47%

Net migration rate
2012: A net loss of 10.02 persons per 1,000 population per year.

Ethnic groups
2004 census: Moldovan/Romanian 78.2%, Ukrainian 8.4%, Russian 5.8%, Gagauz 4.4%, Bulgarian 1.9%, other 1.3%

Religions
2000: Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5%

Geography

Between Ukraine and Romania. Landlocked. Rolling steppe land. 33,843 square miles, equivalent to 184 by 184 kilometers or roughly 115 by 115 miles. Capital: Chisinau.

Government

Chief of state: Nicolae Timofti (president) since 23 March 2012, independent. Head of government: Vlad Filat (prime minister) since 25 September 2009, Moldovan Orthodox, Alliance for European Integration.

The president is elected by Parliament for a four-year term (eligible for a second term. Parliament is unicameral with 101 seats and members elected on an at-large basis by popular vote to serve four-year terms.

The Soviet Union took Moldova from Romania at the end of World War II. With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Moldova became independent, but with Russian forces remaining. Modova is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, former republics within the Soviet Union that today are closely associated with Russia economically, in defense and foreign policy.

Moldova has a parliament. Its elections have been considered free and fair by international observers.

SOURCES:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/
http://www.nationmaster.com/index.php