Moldova expands state‑funded university places as school numbers fall

The number of operating schools in the Republic of Moldova has declined sharply, with 103 fewer institutions in 2025/2026 compared with 2019/2020, while student enrollment rose to 449,200. Primary and secondary schools fell from 1,255 to 1,173, and universities were reduced from 27 to 16, yet university enrolments increased by 6.8% to 64,300.

At the same time, the Moldovan government approved a state‑funded allocation of 9,013 budget‑supported university places for the 2026‑2027 academic year. The distribution includes 5,380 spots for bachelor's and integrated programmes, 2,771 for master’s degrees, 504 for residencies and clinical training, and 225 for doctorates, with additional places earmarked for students from disadvantaged groups, the diaspora, and the left‑bank region. The measure aims to align higher‑education capacity with labour‑market needs and to sustain the rise in student numbers despite the contraction of educational institutions.

These developments reflect a dual trend: a shrinking physical education infrastructure coupled with a policy push to increase affordable access to higher education.