Moldova economic and diplomatic developments

Moldova has experienced a decline in its economic standing, dropping 19 positions from 82nd to 101st in the May 2026 Global Investment Risk and Resilience Index (GIRRI). Produced by Henley & Partners and AlphaGeo, the index measures a nation’s capacity to withstand economic and geopolitical shocks; the decline reflects shifts in investor perception following recent geopolitical turbulence.

In response to these shifts, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi has indicated intentions to intensify economic cooperation with the Middle East. Additionally, Moldova is considering closer diplomatic ties with Romania, which may include the potential for shared diplomatic complexes to support its foreign policy ambitions. Popșoi has specifically highlighted a discrepancy between the nation’s foreign policy ambitions and its currently available diplomatic resources.

Domestically, President Maia Sandu has addressed the growth of the country’s wealthy population, noting that the number of millionaires reached nearly 10,000 in 2025. Sandu stated that those earning income honestly and paying taxes should be appreciated, while maintaining that the government’s priority is to support citizens in difficulty and develop the middle class.

Regarding social rights, Moldova ranked 26th out of 49 European states in the 2026 Rainbow Map by ILGA-Europe, receiving a score of 38.41%. The report acknowledged legislative changes made over the last decade concerning gender identity and equality.

Recent economic data also reveals significant regional imbalances. While investment is diversifying into sectors like IT, automotive, and agro-food, profit remains heavily concentrated in the capital, Chișinău, which generates approximately 80% of the country's total profit. In contrast, Bălți accounts for only 3.8%, and other regional growth poles collectively generate about 3%.