"The average salary of €1,000 in Chișinău is not an illusion, but a statistical reality—if we’re talking about gross salary," stated economist Veaceslav Ioniță.
He analyzed statistical data to verify the claim that the average salary in Chișinău has surpassed the €1,000 threshold, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between gross and net income. On average, the difference between the gross salary and the amount received by an employee is about 18%, meaning that with a gross salary of €1,000, the net take-home pay is approximately €820–830. Ioniță highlighted the remarkable growth of salaries in Chișinău over the past 25 years—from €48 to €940 gross per month, and from €40 to €800 net—driven by actual salary increases in lei, the appreciation of the Moldovan leu against the euro, and lower taxes for employees. He noted that salaries in Chișinău are typically 20–23% higher than the national average; however, in 2024, the gap narrowed to 18% for unclear reasons, signaling uneven salary distribution without corresponding regional economic growth. The salary debate was sparked by comments made by MP Radu Marian during the “Puterea a patra” program on N4 TV. He later clarified that he was referring to gross salary and explained the calculation method: "It’s the total amount paid before tax deductions, divided by the number of workers in the country or region." He acknowledged that many residents don’t actually receive such a salary, but the €1,000 figure aligns with statistical estimates. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, in the first quarter of 2025, the average gross nominal salary in Chișinău’s real sector reached 17,046.3 lei—17% higher than the national average of 14,567.5 lei—and represents a 9.8% increase compared to the same period in 2024.// 11.07.2025 — InfoMarket.
