World Population Day provided an opportunity to take stock
On World Population Day, observed on July 11, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection presented the results of ongoing programs aimed at supporting young people and increasing the birth rate.
This year, the theme of World Population Day, as announced by the UN, is dedicated to realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people. It emphasizes creating conditions that allow young people to make independent decisions regarding education, employment, and starting a family.
One of the main tools remains the first-job support program. Young professionals entering the workforce for the first time receive a monthly payment of 3,000 lei for one year. Currently, an average of about 260 people benefit from this measure each month.
The National Employment Agency implements programs for career guidance, employment assistance, and professional development. In the first half of the year, agency specialists held 204 meetings at educational institutions, attended by 6,824 students.
Special attention is given to NEET youth—young people who are not in employment, education, or training. In the first six months of 2026, mobile teams from the National Employment Agency identified 481 such young people, accounting for nearly a quarter of all economically inactive citizens identified.
In addition, the authorities intend to continue implementing the European “Youth Guarantee” mechanism, which is planned to be included in the National Employment Program for 2027–2030.
Support for Families Becomes Part of Demographic Policy
At the same time, the government is expanding support measures for families with children. As part of the third phase of the national program to develop public daycare centers, there are plans to open or modernize 155 daycare groups for more than 3,100 children. This is expected to enable approximately 6,000 parents to return to the labor market more quickly.
Starting in early 2026, the one-time childbirth allowance will be increased to 21,866 lei. The flexible system for paying child care benefits remains in effect, offering three options for receiving compensation depending on the chosen duration of leave.
The monthly child care allowance of 1,000 lei for children up to two years of age also remains in effect; this allowance is paid regardless of the parents’ insurance history.
Another measure was the extension of paid paternity leave to 15 calendar days. In 2025, 4,388 men took advantage of this right.
Demographics Are Becoming an Economic Issue
These measures reflect the government’s attempt to address several long-term challenges at once—population decline, an aging society, labor shortages, and ongoing labor migration.
According to the latest estimates, Moldova remains one of the European countries with the fastest-declining population, as reported by Logos Press. The labor market is simultaneously affected by low birth rates, emigration, and an aging population; therefore, family support measures are viewed not only as an element of social policy but also as a tool for long-term economic development.
Experts note that financial payments alone are rarely capable of changing demographic trends. A more significant impact comes from stable employment for young people, access to preschool education, the ability to balance work and child-rearing, and predictable social policies.
