Moldova is facing the worst demographic crisis in Europe, as Romania records highest population drop in the EU, according to EU Reporter.

The publication cites a study by IDIS Viitorul, which found that the population of Moldova has decreased by almost 1.5 million since the republic gained independence in 1991. The number of Moldovan citizens now is estimated at 2.9 million, including citizens in Transnistria. The breakaway region saw the most shocking population fall, decreasing from 731,000 to 306,000 over the past 30 years.

The findings show that Moldova is nearing its population level of 1950, if the trend continues.

According to Veaceslav Ioniță, IDIS expert on economic policies, in 1991 Moldova's population reached 4,364,000. This means that in 30 years the number of Moldovan citizens left in the country decreased by 1,5 million: 1,036 million fewer on the right bank of the Nistru and 425 thousand citizens fewer in Transnistria.

“With Moldova, the demographics drop is very much connected to the country’s economic woes. Troubled by political upheaval, extreme poverty and corruption, it's no surprise that even with a severely declining population, remaining Moldavians are still looking for a way out. According to a survey, one-in-three Moldovans would still like to leave the country. Moldova is facing Europe’s worst demographic crisis, the situation being so bad that some experts even talk about an existential crisis with the stake being the very survival of that state,” writes EU Reporter’s Bucharest correspondent Cristian Gherasim.

“Moldova’s pro-European government – goes on the article – hopes to turn the tide by clamping down on corruption and improving the country’s economic situation.”