According to official figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the reduction affected both men and women.
The number of men decreased from 1,142,281 to 1,123,803, a decrease of 18,478. The number of women decreased by 10,178, from 1,273,268 to 1,263,090. However, women still represent more than 52% of the total population.
Population decline occurred in both urban and rural areas. The urban population decreased from 1,053,123 to 1,041,219, a decrease of 11,904 persons. The rural population decreased from 1,362,426 to 1,345,674, a decrease of 16,752 people.
Chisinau municipality remains the most densely populated area, with more than 700,000 inhabitants, almost one third of the country’s population. Balti municipality ranks second with over 90,000 inhabitants.
Among the most densely populated districts are Orhei district with 99,867 inhabitants, Hincesti district with 97,733 inhabitants and Cahul district with 67,563 inhabitants.
The authorities calculated the data based on the 2024 population and housing census and adjust it annually to births, deaths and migration. The NBS will release updated preliminary data for January 1, 2026 in June this year.
