Remittances from Moldovans working abroad increased by about a quarter

Individuals transferred about USD 855 mln to Moldova through commercial banks, which is by a quarter more against last year. About USD 628.6 mln were wired through express money transfer systems. According to the data provided by the National Bank of Moldova, the transfers made by the citizens of Moldova employed abroad for several years were estimated at USD 602.82 mln. According to a research, about 80% of the Moldovan emigrants send money home to their families, and 70% transfer over a half of their earnings. The transfers are partially covering the trade deficit and favour the boost of the wages in several sectors of the national economy, which experience labour force deficit. These money inflows reduced the dependence of the Government on the conditioned loans, offering it a certain level of independence in the macroeconomic policy. The positive effects for economy are also the fact that about 21% of the incomes received by emigrants are deposited in banks. Only 7% of them are invested, most frequently in small or middle-sized businesses (stores, bars, etc), and 8% of incomes are used to pay back debts. The approximate number of the persons working abroad varies between 500 thousand and 1 mln. The population of Moldova decreased from 4.4 mln, based on the census held in 1989, to 3.9 mln, according to the 2004 census. The total remittances (official and unofficial) sent by the citizens who work aboard amounted to an estimated USD 1.2-1.3 mln in 2006.