Data highlights gap between income and expenses
Economic expert Tatiana Iovv said that despite official statements about rising wages, many Moldovans are not experiencing improvements in living standards.
In a social media post, she commented on recent discussions within the government, where, according to reports, a salary of 50,000 lei was described as insufficient by one of the ministers. Iovv, a doctor of economics and former head of the E-Governance Agency, responded by pointing to broader income realities in the country.
“Citizens’ well-being increases when the growth rate of incomes is at least equal to the growth rate of the cost of living,” she wrote.
Statistics and income distribution
According to Iovv, statistical data show that the cost of living in Moldova increased by 14% in 2025. At the same time, data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicate that real average wages grew by only 2%.
She also noted that more than 40% of employees earn less than 10,000 lei per month. In some sectors, workers face additional challenges, including delayed salary payments, as reported in cases involving employees of Moldovan Railways.
Previous assessments and broader context
Iovv has raised similar concerns in the past. In May of the previous year, she cited comparative data showing that in the 2000s, under different governments, real wage growth had been higher. By contrast, between 2021 and 2024, average real wage growth amounted to around 1.58% per year.
Her comments contribute to ongoing discussions about income levels, cost of living and public expectations regarding economic policy.
