Data provided by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection show that almost half of people with disabilities live below the poverty line. The situation is even worse in rural areas, where access to health services, medicines and social security is particularly limited.
Meanwhile, the additional costs of special needs place a heavy burden on family budgets. The 2026 study shows that households with people with disabilities spend significantly more on health care and food. If an additional 25% is added to the official poverty level to cover the additional costs associated with special needs, the financial resources required by one person with disabilities would amount to 4,522 lei per month. This estimate clearly emphasizes the magnitude of the additional financial burden.
Barriers to employment
Problems are also evident in the labor market. Although the number of citizens with disabilities registered with employment agencies has increased, only 27.9% of the unemployed in this category have been able to find jobs through active employment programs. The authorities recognize that barriers such as mistrust on the part of employers, lack of vocational training and low availability of jobs still persist. Moldova still does not meet the 5% quota of jobs reserved for people with disabilities recommended by the UN.
A special situation is noted with regard to people with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities. Although there are 40 community mental health centers in the country, access to their services remains limited, especially outside the district centers. Stigmatization, discrimination and lack of effective protection and support mechanisms are also recorded.
Dynamics of diagnosis
Statistics show an increase in the number of people with a primary diagnosed disability among both adults and children. While in 2020 there were 9.2 thousand new cases among adults, by 2025 this number has reached 11.9 thousand. As for children, the figure almost doubled from 1.2 thousand to 2.3 thousand cases.
A strategic document has been developed
In this context, the relevant ministry has developed the National Program of Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities for 2026-2030. The document provides for improved collection of statistical data, development of social services at the local community level, increased access to health care and education, as well as measures for better integration in the labor market.
The program also aims at shaping policies based on the real needs of people with disabilities, as the results of the 2024 census show that the prevalence of such needs in the Republic of Moldova is almost twice as high as the official data recorded by the social protection system.
