Vadim Pistrinciuc, executive director of the Institute for Strategic Initiatives, said the Republic of Moldova goes through a pronounced demographic crisis, IPN reports.
“The people live longer, but give birth to fewer children. This factor is also important, but there is also another factor that has a catalyzing effect, I would say, or even the effect of an explosion in the depopulation process. This is migration. The population started to leave the country three decades ago, immediately after the declaring of independence. There were several migration waves that were different in terms of intensity and quality of migrants. The biggest wave was witnessed after 1999, when the crisis that hit Russia affected us too,” Vadim Pistrinciuc stated in a program produced by RFE/RL’s Moldovan Service.
“We lost about 200,000 people during the past five years. These formed part of the skilled population. We are also losing the middle class. Regrettably, only experts and research institutions speak about this today,” said Vadim Pistrinciuc, noting the parties raise the issue only through the angle of political promises or views.
He also said that the maintaining of close relations with the diaspora is a factor that influences the adjustment to demographic processes. “The diaspora is a very important part of our society. The measures aimed at involving the diaspora in the investment process at home and in the cooperation with local organizations are also very important for influencing political processes,” he stated, adding the diaspora should not be persuaded to return home, but conditions should be created for the members of the diaspora to feel they are necessary at home.
Vadim Pistrinciuc said first of all it is important to admit that the demographic crisis is a national security problem, alongside grand corruption. Secondly, measures should be adopted to adjust to the created situation when population is aging and is leaving en masse. “Adaptation means total restructuring of public services and the system of state management. Currently, these do not match people’s needs, the number of people who remained in the country, the investment attraction criteria and the necessities of bringing the diaspora’s money home,” he stated.
