New demographic challenges at global level can create opportunities for Moldova

Chisinau, Nov. 8 /MOLDPRES/- "The government must adapt to new demographic realities and rewrite its policies, creating conditions for families with children, ensuring work-life balance, providing opportunities for women in the workplace and encouraging older people to continue working and to support long-term education", said Dumitru Udrea at the 6th Global Symposium on Low Fertility and Population Ageing, held in Seoul, the government's communication and protocol department has reported.

The General Secretary of the Government said that the Republic of Moldova, like other states in Europe, is going through demographic changes that defy the economic and social systems. Population decline, emigration and population aging are the main demographic challenges influencing the current situation in the country.

Demographic trends over the last 20 years show a continuous population decline of about 1.7 million people (1990-2022). The structure of the population has changed. Currently, there is an increase in the elderly population that represents 22% of the total population, low fertility rates and an increase in mortality rates, especially among men. In addition, there is an increase in internal and international migration, especially of young and reproductive population. By 2050, it is estimated that Moldova's population abroad will be almost equal to that in the country.

"Building the demographic resilience of local and central authorities and promoting good governance, strengthening the capacity of local public authorities to use population data for better planning and program development, expanding cooperation with the private sector to implement family-friendly policies and work-life balance the private one, as well as the promotion of healthy and active aging and the development of a wide spectrum of social protection services for all categories of the elderly population are objectives that require the involvement of the entire society for the future of the Republic of Moldova", said Udrea.

The event is held on 8-10 November in Seoul, Republic of Korea and is hosted by UNFPA and KOSTAT. The Republic of Moldova is represented by Secretary General of the Government Dumitru Udrea, State Secretary of Ministry of Labor and Social Protection Felicia Bechtoldt, parliamentarian Dorian Istrati and UNFPA Resident Representative in Moldova Nigina Abaszada.

The event emphasizes the concept of demographic resilience, which requires a transition from negative, reactive and fragmented responses to positive, anticipatory and integrated responses to ongoing demographic changes. Demographic change comes with challenges, but also with many opportunities. Experience shows that societies can thrive in a world of rapid demographic change if they address population challenges in a comprehensive and holistic manner and fully use the opportunities to ensure prosperity and well-being for all.

To address the demographic challenges in the Republic of Moldova, in 2021, with the support of UNFPA Moldova, the most comprehensive demographic study - Generations and Gender, was carried out on a sample of 10,000 people, which provided quality data, thus giving the Government the opportunity to update policies and their development in the area.

Photo: Government