Demographic problem in Moldova could be solved after two-three generations take turns

The demographic problem in Moldova could be solved after two-three generations take turns if the state decides to implement a well-planned strategy. Such a conclusion was reached by the international expert and manager of the World Population Program implemented by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Wolfgang Lutz, while on a working visit to Moldova, Info-Prim Neo reports. The visit is organized at the request of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to assist the governmental Population and Development Commission in implementing the Demographic Security Strategy of Moldova. According to the expert, the world population as well as Moldova’s population is decreasing and ageing owing to the falling birth rate and fertility rate, to the rising death rate and to the excessive migration of the labor force. Wolfgang Lutz considers that to cope with the depopulation process, Moldova should implement a well-structured strategy that would include the reformation of the education and healthcare systems, the improvement of the labor market system and the settlement of the economic problem that made Moldova one of the poorest countries in the world. To solve the demographic problem, the Moldovan authorities can seek help from the international organizations, but they also need local demographers that would monitor the situation de facto, the IIASA expert said. Also, Wolfgang Lutz considers that the Transnistrian conflict is also a cause for migration because the people usually leave the conflict zones where the economic situation is deplorable. If this conflict is solved, the number of Moldovan emigrants could decrease, Lutz said. On January 1, 2007, Moldova had a stable population of about 3.5 million, including 1.4 million urban people and 2 million rural people. A number of 43,000 people died in Moldova last year. The death rate was 12 deaths per 1,000 people. Moldova’s population on January 1, 2008 was over 3.4 million. IIASA estimates that in 2130, Moldova will have a population of only 1.5 million.