Unemployment rate

Sub-categories

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Headline data

8.5.2. Unemployment rate
Year Value
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014 3.7
2015 4.7
2016 4.0
2017 3.9
2018 2.9
2019 5.1
2020 3.8
2021 3.2
2022 3.1
2023 4.6
2024 4.0
2025 3.846

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

Geographical Area: The Republic of Moldova, without the left side of the river Nistru and the municipality of Bender

Unit of Measurement: Percent, %

Footnote:

Breaks in time series:

Important revisions to the Labour Force Survey (LFS) methodology (use of the usually resident population, implementation of a new sampling, modification/adjustment of definitions, etc.) took place in 2019 and 2025, which should be taken into account in the longitudinal analysis of the data.

Therefore:

- data for the period 2019–2024 are not comparable with the series published for previous periods;

- data starting from 2025 are not comparable with those published for the period 2019–2024.

For the period 2019–2024, the data are estimated based on the usually resident population calculated on the basis of the 2014 Population and Housing Census (PHC). The survey was conducted according to the Multifunctional Master Sample Plan for Surveys in the Social Domain 2 (EMDOS 2), developed on the basis of the 2014 PHC.

Starting from 2025, the data are estimated based on the usually resident population recalculated on the basis of the 2024 PHC. The survey is conducted according to the new EMDOS 3 sampling plan, developed on the basis of the 2024 PHC.

Details: LFS Methodology: https://statistica.gov.md/files/files/Metadate/alte/Metodologia_AFM_2025.pdf

This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from Moldovan statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other Moldovan-specific metadata information.

Indicator

Indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate
Definition and concepts

ILO Unemployed are persons aged 15 years and over, who during the reference period meet simultaneously the following conditions:

a) during the reference week not employed according to the definition of employment, and

b) currently available for work, i.e. were available for paid employment or self-employment before the end of the 2 weeks following the reference week: and

c) actively seeking work, i.e. had either carried out activities in the four-week period ending with the reference week to seek paid employment or self-employment or found a job to start within a period of at most 3 months from the end of the reference week.
Unit of measure

Percent, %
Method of computation

Proportion of the total ILO unemployment in the total labour force (employed and unemployed persons) * 100
Comparability with global indicator

Total corresponding with Series: „SL_TLF_UEM_19ICLS - Unemployment rate, by sex and age - 19th ICLS (%) [8.5.2]” and „SL_TLF_UEMDIS_19ICLS - Unemployment rate, by sex and disability - 19th ICLS (%) [8.5.2]”
Periodicity

Quarterly, Annual
Data last updated Jul 14, 2026
Metadata last updated Aug 11, 2026

This table provides information on metadata for SDG indicators as defined by the UN Statistical Commission. Complete global metadata is provided by the UN Statistics Division.

Indicator

Indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate, by sex, age and persons with disabilities

Target

Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value
UN designated tier

1
Link to global metadata

https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/metadata/files/Metadata-08-05-02.pdf
metadata_fields.goal_meta_link_text

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Metadata (PDF)
International organisations(s) responsible for global monitoring

International Labour Organization (ILO)

Related indicators

1.1.1, 8.2.1, 8.3.1, 8.6.1, 10.4.1
Metadata update

2026-03-27

Source 1

Data sources

Labour Force Survey
Data producers

National Bureau of Statistics
Data providers

National Bureau of Statistics
Institutional mandate

Ministry of Labour and Social Protection
Link to data source statistica.gov.md / Statistics by themes / Employment and unemployment opens in a new window
Contact details

ALERGUS-SOLOVIOV Mariana, head, Labour Force Statistics Division, National Bureau of Statistics, mariana.alergus@statistica.gov.md , +373 67770786
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