Every fifth Moldovan is a child, per the statistical definition. As of 1 January 2019, there were 669,000 Moldovans under 18 years of age. Last year, the number of live births was 32.600, a 4.3% drop on the previous year. To every 100 girls born last year, there were 107 boys. The average age of first-time mothers was 25, according to a statistical release ahead of the International Children's Day.
The preschool enrollment ratio rose from 83.9% in 2014 to 87.7% in 2018, increasing in particular in urban areas, by 9.9 percentage points. Children aged 4 years prevail in the early education institutions. For children with special needs, there are eight specialized institutions with 47 classes, and 10 more classes in ordinary mainstream institutions. Most children with special needs enrolled in preschool education are with speech or language problems.
In the academic year 2018-2019, over 10,000 children with special educational needs or disabilities were enrolled in public schools, including 9,500 in mainstream schools.
Juvenile delinquency rates reduced in the last five years. Most often minors commit thefts and hooliganism offenses. The total number of minors who committed criminal offenses in 2018 was 1,254, including 1,176 minors aged 14 and older, the age at which they can be held criminally accountable. Last year, 446 minors received sentences.
