The minimum wage in the Republic of Moldova is a key instrument for protecting low-income workers and an important indicator of the country’s living standards. In a context marked by inflation and economic pressure, the 2025 increase aims to provide a basic level of financial security, even though the minimum wage remains modest compared to EU standards.

1. What is the minimum wage in 2025 and to whom it applies

Starting 1 January 2025, the national minimum wage in Moldova is set at 5,500 MDL per month, which corresponds to approximately €280–€285. This is the minimum monthly compensation that employers must pay a full-time employee for a standard working schedule.

2. How the minimum wage evolved in recent years (2022–2025)

In recent years, the minimum wage has increased gradually to keep pace with inflation and cost-of-living pressures. In 2023, it stood at roughly 4,000 MDL. In 2024 it increased to 5,000 MDL, and in 2025 it reached 5,500 MDL, representing a growth of around 10 percent compared to the previous year. The upward trend reflects efforts to maintain a basic level of income protection for workers in a challenging economic environment.

3. What the 2025 minimum wage means in practice (MDL, euro equivalent, purchasing power)

A minimum wage of 5,500 MDL per month, equivalent to about €280–€285, provides only a basic level of income and remains insufficient for many households, especially in urban areas where living costs are considerably higher. Expenses for housing, utilities, food and transportation often exceed the limits of a minimum-wage budget. Although the 2025 increase helps offset part of the inflationary pressure, its impact on purchasing power is limited and does not guarantee a comfortable standard of living.

4. Legislative context and reasons for the increase

The government set the 2025 minimum wage after consultations with social partners. The decision aims to protect low-income workers, reduce poverty risks and ensure a minimum standard of remuneration for all employees, regardless of sector. While the increase does not fully match rising living costs, it represents a necessary adjustment to maintain a basic level of social protection.

5. Limitations and challenges – what the minimum wage does not cover

Even with the 2025 increase, Moldova’s minimum wage remains one of the lowest in Europe. A monthly income of 5,500 MDL (€280) is modest and difficult to compare with minimum wages in EU countries. High inflation and elevated prices for essential goods quickly erode the real value of this income. The Moldovan economy, characterized by low productivity and a fragile private sector, limits the possibility of more substantial wage increases. As a result, the minimum wage alone cannot secure a stable or comfortable living standard for many workers.

Conclusions

The 2025 minimum wage of 5,500 MDL represents a necessary step toward supporting low-income employees and partially compensating for rising living costs. However, the level remains modest and insufficient to ensure a sustainable standard of living. To truly improve the situation, the country will need stronger economic growth, higher productivity and broader social policies. The minimum wage is important, but it is only one component of a more complex system that shapes overall living standards in the Republic of Moldova.