The 2014 Moldovan census was the second national population and housing census conducted in the Republic of Moldova since its independence from the Soviet Union. Organized by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) of the Republic of Moldova, the census aimed to collect comprehensive demographic, social, economic, and housing data to inform public policy, planning, and research.
Planning and Legal Framework
The census was authorized by Law No. 254‑2006 on the Population Census, which established the legal basis, methodology, and responsibilities of the NBS. Preparatory activities, including questionnaire design, pilot testing, and staff training, commenced in 2012. Funding was provided by the Moldovan government, with supplementary support from international partners such as the European Union, the World Bank, and the United Nations Development Programme.
Field Operations
Data collection took place from 26 March to 15 May 2014. Enumerators visited households nationwide, administering a standardized questionnaire that covered:
- Basic demographic information (age, sex, marital status)
- Ethnicity, mother tongue, and religion
- Educational attainment and employment status
- Housing characteristics (type of dwelling, utilities, ownership)
The census employed a de jure approach for the total resident population (individuals legally registered in Moldova) and a de facto component for those present in the country on the census reference day.
Geographic Coverage
All administrative-territorial units of Moldova were surveyed except for the breakaway region of Transnistria (the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic), which did not cooperate with the central authorities. Consequently, the census data for the central government’s jurisdiction exclude the approximately 500 000 residents of Transnistria.
Results
- Population Size – The provisional results, released by the NBS in June 2015, indicated a de jure population of 3,546,947 persons for the territory administered by the Moldovan government. The de facto count (individuals present on the census day) was 2,998,235.
- Ethnic Composition – The major ethnic groups identified were:
- Moldovans: 75.1 %
- Romanians: 7.0 %
- Ukrainians: 6.6 %
- Russians: 6.5 %
- Gagauz: 4.5 %
- Bulgarians: 1.9 %
- Others/undeclared: ≈ 1.4 %
- Language – The most commonly reported mother tongue was Romanian (including Moldovan) at approximately 73 %, followed by Russian at 15 %.
- Religion – Over 93 % of respondents identified as Eastern Orthodox Christians; the remaining population adhered to various other faiths or reported no religious affiliation.
- Urban–Rural Distribution – About 46 % of the population resided in urban localities, while 54 % lived in rural areas.
- Housing – The census recorded roughly 1.3 million private dwellings, with a majority (≈ 80 %) classified as separate houses.
Data Dissemination and Usage
Detailed tables and micro‑data sets were made publicly available through the NBS website and the European Statistical System (ESS) portal. The data have been employed for:
- Allocation of governmental budgets and EU cohesion funds
- Planning of health, education, and social services
- Electoral districting and demographic research
- Monitoring of migration trends and population ageing
Challenges and Criticisms
The 2014 census faced several operational and political challenges:
- Funding Delays – Prolonged budgetary negotiations caused postponements in both fieldwork and the publication of final results.
- Transnistrian Non‑participation – The exclusion of Transnistria limited the completeness of nationwide demographic statistics.
- Public Awareness – Initial public scepticism required extensive outreach campaigns to encourage participation.
- Data Quality Concerns – Minor inconsistencies in self‑reported ethnicity and language prompted calls for follow‑up surveys.
Despite these issues, the 2014 Moldovan census is regarded as a pivotal source of up‑to‑date demographic information for the Republic of Moldova and serves as a baseline for subsequent statistical assessments.
