Number of students in Moldova decreases steadily in recent 13 years

Chisinau, 24 December /MOLDPRES/ – During recent 13 years, the number of students in Moldova has decreased continuously. In 2019, their number reached the minimum quota of recent 24 years of 56.800 students, with 3.800 less than in 2018. The figures were made public by IDIS Viitorul economist, Veaceslav Ionita.

"We reached the level of 1995 – 1996, when the number of students in Moldova started to accelerate. We notice not only in reducing the number of students from universities, but also in reducing their share in society. Thus, the number of students per 1,000 inhabitants has decreased by 1.8 times, from 39 students to 1,000 inhabitants, to 21.3 students”, says Veaceslav Ionita.

The trend is determined, according to expert, by 03 basic factors. The first is the dramatic reduction in the number of children in Moldova. Thus, in recent 13 years, the number of children of university age has decreased by about 150,000 persons, from 364,000 in 2006 – 2007, to about 210,000, at present. The second factor is the reduction in number of children who decide to go to a higher education institution. The decrease in number of students in Moldova is also caused by the departure of young people to study abroad.

The same tendency to decrease the number of students can be seen on the left bank of the Dniester. Only, according to expert, in the left bank of the Dniester this process started 03 – 04 years later and affects the most private education. Currently, in the left bank of the Dniester the number of students has been reduced to 10.800, 800 less than in 2018. Veaceslav Ionita also points out that the reduction in the number of students from the left bank of the Dniester has occurred exclusively in private educational institutions in recent 04 years. Thus, if in 2008 – 2009, the share of students in private education on the left bank of the Dniester was 32 per cent, then at present this indicator has reached only 10 per cent. "Most likely, in 02 – 03 years, the private higher education on the left bank of the Dniester will disappear", estimates Veaceslav Ionita.

In the created situation, experts argue that the state should not ignore trends in higher education, but rethink its policies in this area and focus the budgetary resources for priority areas, in particular training of specialists for budget sector and strategic branches of national economy.