In 2018 the minimum subsistence level was officially calculated at 1,891 lei, up 1.5% on the previous year. In Chisinau and Balti the minimum subsistence level was 2,107 lei, in other urban areas 1,888.5 lei, and in rural areas 1,795.8 lei.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the minimum subsistence level by residence area is determined by the weight of the food basket. By population categories, the maximum value of the subsistence minimum is for the working-age population - 2,016 lei and especially for men - 2,186 lei.
The subsistence minimum for children averages at 1,801 lei per month, ranging from 712 lei for infants to 2,031 lei for children aged 7-17 years.
The available monthly income of the population averaged 2,383 lei per person and exceeded the average subsistence minimum by 26%.
The average monthly salary was 6,446 lei, which the authorities estimate covers 3.2 times the subsistence minimum for the working-age population. The average salary in the IT sector covered the working-age subsistence minimum 7.1 times, whereas artists could only manage a 1.9 ratio.
Pensioners were calculated to have a subsistence minimum of 1,574 de lei, which is below the minimum pension of 1,025 lei.