A family consisting of two adults and two children living in an urban area of Moldova requires 21,341 lei per month just to cover current consumer expenses, according to economist Marin Gospodarenko. This figure does not include loan payments or savings.
According to the expert’s calculations, 41% of such a household’s budget is spent on food, while another 16% goes toward housing and utility costs. In total, 57% of household spending is devoted to basic necessities. Gospodarenko noted that the lower a family’s income, the larger the share of expenses allocated to food.
The economist also pointed out that household expenditures increased by 13.3% in 2025, while incomes grew by only 9.1%. In his view, this gap indicates that many families are maintaining their standard of living through savings or borrowing rather than through genuine improvements in their financial situation.
Inflation in Moldova has returned to around 6.8%. Meanwhile, the National Bank of Moldova continues to pursue a tight monetary policy, keeping its key interest rate at 6.5%, which makes borrowing more expensive for households.
Gospodarenko also highlighted differences between urban and rural residents. On average, city dwellers spend 1.7 times more than those living in rural areas. According to the economist, this reflects not only differences in income but also disparities in lifestyle and access to services.
Public Reaction: “You Can’t Survive on 21,000 Lei in Chișinău With Two Children”
Many Moldovans questioned the accuracy of the calculations.
“That amount isn’t enough even in a village, let alone in a city. Today, 20,000 lei is barely enough for one person,” one citizen commented.
A resident of Chișinău added:
“No, it’s unrealistic for a couple with two children to survive in Chișinău on 21,000 lei, even if they own their home. No matter how modest their expenses are, especially during the winter.”
Another Moldovan woman remarked:
“Forty thousand lei for three people covers only basic purchases, without celebrations or vacations.”
One pensioner raised a separate concern:
“I wonder how much a single pensioner living in a two-room apartment spends as a percentage of their average pension?”
Some citizens linked rising living costs to government policies.
“Thanks to Maia Sandu for utility prices. We had ‘good times,’ and then she appeared,” one commenter wrote.
As a result, the economist’s estimate of 21,000 lei as the minimum threshold for a “normal life” for a family of four in a city has been met with skepticism by many residents. They argue that real living costs are considerably higher and that the gap between incomes and expenses continues to widen, particularly amid expensive loans and persistent inflation.
