Moldova's GDP recovery over 34 years of independence compared to the base year of 1991 is extremely slow - Veaceslav Ionita
In the weekly program “Economic Analysis with Veaceslav Ionita,” the economic policy expert at IDIS Viitorul notes that in 2025, the country's GDP could reach 348.3 billion lei, which is higher than the 323.8 billion lei in 2024. However, this is an extremely slow recovery process compared to the base year of 1991. In 1995, Moldova's GDP fell to 43.7% of its 1991 level, and in 1999 it reached only 37.7%. In 2010, it reached 63.4% of the 1991 level, in 2020 - 82.9%, and by 2025, it is projected to recover to 93.6%. “Although the economy has shown steady growth over the past two decades, Moldova has still not been able to fully overcome the economic losses caused by the post-Soviet transition period,” the expert notes. Thirty-four years after gaining independence, Moldova's economy is in a difficult situation. While GDP and the industrial and agricultural sectors are still far from 1991 levels, mass migration continues to weaken the country's development potential. At the same time, there's been noticeable progress in average wages, which are more than double what they were in the early 1990s and about 40% higher than during the Soviet period, showing that living standards are improving. "Today, we are still below 1991 levels. At the current rate of development, we will need several more years... Our country, especially in 1991-1999, lost its momentum. During that period, GDP declined by 11% annually. Over the past six years, GDP has grown by 0.6%. This is the most modest growth in the last 25 years. This year, according to optimistic forecasts, we may achieve growth of 3%. We are kind of treading water," said Veaceslav Ionita. // 22.08.2025 — InfoMarket.
