News about Macroeconomics

Moldova is preparing to strengthen control over the observance of the principle of equal pay. Within the framework of legislative changes aimed at transposing European Union directives, employers will be held liable for violations of the norms on equal pay for equal work or work of equal value.

Berlin has shifted its focus from the auto industry to armaments and is actually becoming a key production base for armaments in Europe.

According to the IMF’s April 2026 World Economic Outlook (WEO) report, Moldova ranks last in Europe in terms of GDP per capita at purchasing power parity (PPP).

The dollar, considered a defensive asset, rebounded amid renewed tensions between the US and Iran. Hopes for a peace agreement are fading as Iran has said it will not participate in the talks. The Strait of Hormuz in the spotlight: Iran has once again blocked this crucial waterway.

Artificial intelligence will not lead to instant job losses, despite growing fears. This is the conclusion reached by Morgan Stanley analysts in a new April report.

In March, according to the National Bank of Moldova (NBM) data, the trend of excess of cash withdrawals over cash inflows continued in the banking sector of Moldova. These indicators emphasize the continuing high demand of the population for cash.

The largest contribution to GDP growth in 2025 was made by information technology and communications. A 12.5% increase in gross value added contributed 0.9 percentage points to GDP growth.

Moldova plans to increase defense spending to 1% of GDP by 2030. They are now about 0.58% to 0.65% of gross domestic product, up from 0.3% in 2020.

Major Wall Street banks, including Deutsche Bank and Wells Fargo, believe that the dollar’s rise is over. The reason is the decline in tensions around Iran and the return of investors to risk.

In early April 2026, the international agency Moody’s Ratings upgraded Moldova’s long-term sovereign credit rating from B3 to B2 with a “stable” outlook. This decision, which became the highest rating in the last 25 years, caused a lot of enthusiastic comments from the country’s authorities.

The program for the implementation of Moldova’s National Defense Strategy for the next five years is estimated at about 10.6 billion lei. The government has elaborated a draft of the respective program. The document is expected to be discussed at one of the next cabinet meetings.

In the financial markets, the probability of an interest rate hike at the ECB meeting on April 30 is estimated at 20%, but an increase in June has already been factored into prices. However, the European Central Bank has taken a wait-and-see stance.

The Federation of Trade Unions “Sănătatea” insists on raising salaries for health care workers by at least 10% or at least indexing them.

French fashion house Hermes (HRMS) on Wednesday, April 15, led the fall of shares among luxury brands. The cost of securities collapsed by 14.22% to the closing level of the previous day and at the minimum amounted to 1529.5 euros. This is the strongest intraday fall in the history of the company.

The global silver market is going into deep deficit, and this trend is continuing for the sixth consecutive year.

Romania’s current account deficit narrowed markedly to 3.19 billion euros in January-February, down from 3.64 billion euros in the same period last year, according to data released by Romania’s central bank on Wednesday, April 15.

The Moldovan authorities recognize the need to adapt the social policy and pension system in the conditions of population ageing, but the issue of changing the retirement age is not considered at this stage. This was stated by Minister of Labor and Social Protection Natalia Plugaru.

In its April update to its forecasts for 2026, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised down its growth forecast for Moldova’s economy from 2.5% to 2.3% of GDP. The GDP growth forecast for Moldova in 2027 stands at 3.7%.

European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde has publicly backed Hungary’s possible switch to the euro, a signal that could mark a sharp reversal in the country’s economic policy after a change of government.

Prices for sea and air freight transportation continue to seek a new equilibrium against the backdrop of an unstable geopolitical environment and the realignment of logistics routes.