Number of immigrants to Moldova is on the increase

In 2006, the quota of immigrants to Republic Moldova was fully achieved for the first time in the country’s history, said Sergiu Sainciuc, vice-minister of Economy and Commerce. According to Sainciuc out of almost 1,900 immigrants, nearly 1,000 came to Moldova to find a job and the reminder came to study and for family reintegration. In 2005, the immigration quota was accomplished at 97%. The immigration quota is established by the law annually. For this year the country is expected to receive 2070 persons, making up 0.05% of the republic’s workforce. Under the law, this quota shall not exceed the number of 3% of labour force. At the same time, other countries established a 7-8% quota. According to official data, the number of people that left the country constitutes about 334,000 Moldovans. Unofficial data show that the number of Moldovans working outside the country ranges from 500,000 to 1 mln. The population of Republic of Moldova decreased from 4.4 mln in 1989 to 3.9 mln in 2004. The total volume of remittances (through official and unofficial channels) in 2006 reached an estimate of USD 1.2-1.3 bln.