Doctor habilitate in sociology Olga Gagauz says the ‘demographic dividend’ created over the last few decades, when the number of people able to work was on the rise, wasn’t efficiently used by the authorities. There are fewer possibilities of finding employment in the national economy and many people went thus abroad to look for a job. However, the ‘demographic dividend’ hasn’t been used up, but will yet not last long, IPN reports.

In an analysis inserted in the publication “Trends in Moldova’s Economy”, which was launched by the National Institute for Economic Research, Olga Gagauz says a stage is anticipated, when the depopulation will be accompanied by a continuous reduction in the number of people of working age. In 2015, the number of people of working age will decrease by 17,800 or 0.8% on 2014. Thus, this figure will decline from 65.7% of Moldova’s population in 2014 to 63% in 2020 and 62.3% in 2025.

In this connection, the researcher recommends that the state institutions, when working out policies, should take into account the labor supply changes. New jobs with attractive salaries for the young people must be created in parallel with the adjustment of the health and education systems and the reformation of the pension system. Early retirement must be prevented and discrimination against elderly people on the labor market must be eliminated. Favorable conditions should be created for decent work, including lighting and a flexible work program.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar said the Government, in one of its next meetings, will discuss the demographic challenges and their impact on labor supply and the country’s economic development.