Only one fourth of the researchers working in Moldova were aged under 35 at the end of last year. The researchers aged between 35 and 54 represented one third of the total number, while those older than 55 - 41.5%. Thus, each fifth researcher was older than 64, IPN reports, quoting the National Bureau of Statistics.

The research and development units of Moldova last yearend employed 4,981 people, a decrease of 2.7% on 2012. The salary earners working full-time made up 71.7% of the employees. As many as 3,928 people (78.8%) had higher education. The researchers represented 65.2% of the personnel, while the other employees were auxiliary staff, technicians and other categories of salary earners.

Only one fourth of the researchers were younger than 35. Those aged between 35 and 54 represented one third, while those aged 55 and over - 41.5%. Each fifth researcher was aged 64 and over.

The researchers working in the area of natural sciences made up 35.9%. Compared with 2012, the number of researchers dealing with agricultural sciences in 2013 decreased by over 2%, while of researchers from the areas of social sciences and natural sciences rose by 1.5% and 1.2% respectively.

52.6% of the researchers had a scientific degree (doctor or doctor habilitate).

The research and development activity in 2013 was performed in 64 units, including 40 research institutes and centers, 15 higher education institutions and another nine types of units. Of such units, 53 or 82.8% were under state ownership, as against 79.7% in 2012.