Moldova 2024 Census Results: Demographics, Ethnicity, and Language Trends
The preliminary results of the 2024 census provide a comprehensive snapshot of the current demographic landscape in Moldova. With a total population of 2.40 million people, the data reveals significant shifts in national identity, linguistic preferences, and urban-rural distribution compared to the previous decade.
Key Facts
- Total Population: 2.40 million people.
- Gender Split: Females make up 52.9% (1.26 million) and males 47.1% (1.13 million).
- Urbanization: 46.4% of the population lives in urban areas, while 53.6% reside in rural areas.
- Citizenship: 99.1% hold Moldovan citizenship, with 15.6% of those also holding citizenship in other states.
- Primary Religion: Eastern Orthodox remains the dominant faith at 95.0%.
Population Distribution and Gender
The 2024 census indicates a slight increase in the female-to-male ratio. Women now constitute 52.9% of the population, up from 52.0% in 2014. Conversely, the male population has decreased from 48.0% to 47.1% over the same period.
Geographically, the population remains split, though a slight majority (53.6% or 1.28 million people) continues to live in rural settings, while 1.11 million people (46.4%) reside in urban centers.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Ethnicity and Citizenship
Citizenship remains overwhelmingly national, with 99.1% of the population declaring Moldovan citizenship. Notably, there has been a significant rise in dual citizenship; 15.6% of citizens now hold citizenship in other states, compared to only 5.6% in 2014.
When identifying their primary ancestry, the majority of the population identified as Moldovan (76.7%) or Romanian (8%). The remaining population consists of various ethnic minorities, including:
- Ukrainian: 5.1%
- Gagauz: 4.0%
- Russian: 3.4%
- Bulgarian: 1.6%
- Roma/Gypsy: 0.4%
- Other ethnicities: 0.5%
The census also tracked second ethnicities. Romanian was the most common second ethnicity at 5.7%, followed by Moldovan (1.4%), Russian (0.4%), Ukrainian (0.2%), and Bulgarian (0.1%).
Linguistic Shifts: Mother Tongue vs. Spoken Language
The census distinguishes between mother tongue (the first language learned) and usually spoken language (the language used in daily communication). There is a visible trend toward the Romanian language, particularly among younger generations.
Mother Tongue Trends
Combined, those who declared Moldovan (49.2%) or Romanian (31.3%) as their mother tongue make up 80.5% of the population. The share of those identifying Romanian as their mother tongue grew by 8.1% since 2014, while those identifying "Moldovan" decreased by 7.8%.
Other mother tongues include Russian (11.1%), Gagauz (3.8%), Ukrainian (2.9%), Bulgarian (1.2%), and Romani/Gypsy (0.3%). In the 20-29 age group, Romanian slightly predominated as the mother tongue with 88,785 people, compared to 88,737 for Moldovan.
Usually Spoken Language
Regarding daily usage, 46.0% speak Moldovan and 33.2% speak Romanian (79.2% combined). Since 2014, there has been a 9.5% increase in Romanian speakers and a 9% decrease in those speaking Moldovan. Russian is the usually spoken language for 15.3% of the population, a slight increase of 0.7% since 2014.
Among the 3-29 age group, Romanian is the predominant spoken language, with 319,303 speakers compared to 289,517 for Moldovan.
Urban Demographics and the Capital
Urban areas show a different ethnic and linguistic profile than the national average. In cities, 70.5% identify as Moldovan and 9.7% as Romanian. The capital, Chișinău, shows an even higher concentration of Romanian identification at 13.1%.
Linguistically, urban centers lean more toward Romanian. In Chișinău, 47.9% declare Romanian as their mother tongue and 49.1% as their usually spoken language, while "Moldovan" stands at 28.8% (mother tongue) and 26.1% (spoken language).
| Category | All Urban Areas | Chișinău (Capital) |
|---|---|---|
| Ethnicity: Moldovan | 70.5% | 72.9% |
| Ethnicity: Romanian | 9.7% | 13.1% |
| Mother Tongue: Romanian | 37.3% | 47.9% |
| Mother Tongue: Moldovan | 34.2% | 28.8% |
| Spoken Language: Romanian | 38.1% | 49.1% |
| Spoken Language: Moldovan | 31.2% | 26.1% |
| Spoken Language: Russian | 26.9% | 23.2% |
Religious Affiliation
The vast majority of the population identifies as Eastern Orthodox (95.0%). Other religious groups include Baptists (1.1%), Jehovah's Witnesses (0.7%), Pentecostals (0.5%), and Adventists (0.3%). Additionally, 0.8% of the population reported having no religion, and 0.6% identified as atheists.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total population of Moldova according to the 2024 census?
The total population is 2.40 million people.
How has the use of the Romanian language changed since 2014?
There has been a significant increase in the use of Romanian. As a mother tongue, it increased by 8.1%, and as a usually spoken language, it increased by 9.5%.
What percentage of the population holds dual citizenship?
Of the 99.1% who hold Moldovan citizenship, 15.6% also hold citizenship in other states.
Which is the most common religion in Moldova?
Eastern Orthodox is the most common religion, practiced by 95.0% of the population.
How do linguistic trends differ between age groups?
The use of Romanian is more prevalent among younger generations, predominating in the 20-29 age group for mother tongue and the 3-29 age group for usually spoken language.