Moldova faces 25% drop in student population by 2040

Moldova's Minister of Education and Research, Dan Perciun, has warned that the country's student population could decrease by 20% to 25% by the year 2040 due to ongoing demographic decline. Perciun noted that this trend is a direct result of lower birth rates from approximately 15 years ago, a situation that cannot be reversed through current policy measures.

As a consequence of this shrinking population, the government is reorganizing the national school network. The strategy involves closing smaller institutions and consolidating resources into fewer, larger, and more modern schools that are well-equipped and renovated.

Reorganization is already underway. Out of 73 schools identified for restructuring, 22 educational institutions have already ceased operations as of the 2026–2027 school year. Some institutions are being transformed from secondary schools into primary schools or combined primary-kindergarten complexes to better serve the changing demographic reality.