The lack of well-paid jobs is the main cause why the Moldovans decide to leave Moldova for good, says the quarterly publication of the National Institute for Economic Research “Trends in Moldova’s economy”. As many as 2,585 people went to settle abroad last year. According to data of the ICT Ministry, to which the publication makes reference, most of the persons left for Russia and Ukraine – 1,054 and 684 respectively. The largest part of the migrants, both men and women, are aged between 20 and 49, IPN reports.

The authors of the publication say that inside the country the people also change the place of residence. A number of 36,700 people changed their domicile in 2013. Approximately two thirds of those who moved to live in another place last year were from rural areas. The list of reasons that make the people change the place of residence, besides the lack of attractive workplaces, also includes the absence of appropriate infrastructure and good schools, the poor performance of the institutions of culture and the wish to be near the children who settled in Chisinau and elsewhere.

The number of departures is higher in 18 districts, including Soldanesti, Basarabeasca, Calarasi, Telenesti, Cantemir, and Rezina, where the figure stands at 9-12 leavings per 1,000 residents. In Balti municipality, Taraclia district and Gagauzia, the rate is 7 departures per 1,000 residents.