Economic reports highlight rising living costs in Moldova and Romania

An analysis by Remitly indicates that Moldova has the highest ratio of essential first-year childcare costs relative to average annual income among 38 European countries. In Moldova, expenses for a child's first year reach approximately 88.8% of the average annual salary. The estimated cost for these necessities is roughly 4,143 euros, covering items such as diapers, formula, clothing, and strollers.

In Romania, data from the National Institute of Statistics shows that household incomes rose by 3.2% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the previous year, reaching an average of 9,444 lei per month per household. However, expenditures grew at a faster rate of 4.5%, consuming approximately 84.9% of total household income. Consumption accounts for the largest portion of these expenses, representing about 58% of total spending.