Moldova pensioners are facing growing financial pressure as low incomes meet rising living costs.
As of the beginning of 2026, Moldova had 611,900 people over the age of 60. They accounted for 25.9 percent of the total population. The country continues to age.
Only 530,200 of them receive old-age pensions. Unfortunately, increases in the retirement age make even this meager pension increasingly difficult to reach.
Moldova’s Pensioners Face Very Low Incomes
The pension is indeed extremely low. The average Moldovan pensioner receives just 4,435.6 lei.
Only Albania has lower pensions in Europe.
But this is an average figure. Many pensioners receive even less.
As many as 22.2 percent of pensioners, or 117,800 people, have to survive on the minimum pension of just 3,055.7 lei.
Official statistics proudly report that the average pension across the country increased by 11.3 percent. The figure still remains above the inflation rate.
But there is a major problem. Elderly people with very small pensions suffer the most from rising prices.
How Will Elderly Moldovans Survive This Winter?
How will they survive this winter when electricity and heating tariffs have almost doubled?
Even maintaining a relatively modest apartment can cost more than the entire pension.
And pensioners still need to buy food, pay for medical treatment and cover other basic needs.
For many elderly Moldovans, the minimum pension leaves very little room for anything beyond basic survival.
The growing number of elderly people also creates additional pressure on Moldova’s social protection system. As the country continues to age, the gap between pension income and the cost of living remains a major concern.
The official increase in the average pension does not necessarily reflect the financial situation of those receiving the lowest payments.
For the 117,800 pensioners living on the minimum pension, every increase in food, heating, electricity or medical costs can have a direct impact on their ability to meet basic needs.
