Moldova
The European Union cooperates with Moldova within the European Neighbourhood Policy and the Eastern Partnership. As Moldova advances on its EU accession path, marked by the opening of negotiations in June 2024 and a constitutional commitment to EU membership confirmed by referendum in 2025, the ETF supports the European Commission and the EU’s External Action Service, including the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, through evidence, policy advice and targeted analysis.
This includes contributions to bilateral sub‑committees, support to the Mobility Partnership, and inputs to annual monitoring of education, training and employment developments.
In May 2024, the EU launched its first regional education and skills programme for the Eastern Partnership, a three‑year, EUR 2.5 million initiative (2024–26) implemented by the ETF. The programme aims to enhance the efficiency, quality, equity and relevance of education systems across five partner countries, including Moldova, supporting the country’s long‑term alignment with EU standards and its Education 2030 strategy.
The ETF facilitates a structured policy dialogue on applying Torino Process recommendations to national reforms of skills development. It supports the Ministry of Education and Research in operationalising the National Qualifications Framework and alignment with the European Qualifications Framework, and assists the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and sector skills committees in advancing occupational and qualification standards.
The ETF also strengthens coordination between the Labour Market Observatory, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, and the Ministry of Education and Research to ensure labour market intelligence informs policy planning.
In 2025, the ETF continued to assist the authorities with governance, system performance monitoring, digitalisation efforts (including EMIS/SIME), teacher management reform, and the expansion of dual education and Centres of Excellence. The ETF’s Multilevel Governance Toolkit and the Rapid Education Diagnostic informed the implementation of the Education 2030 Strategy and supported evidence-based planning.
Read our 2025 update on Key policy developments in education, training and employment (ETF, 2025). For a quick overview, see below:
2025 developments at a glance
EU integration and political context
Moldova consolidated its EU trajectory in 2025: the September parliamentary elections and a national referendum made EU membership a constitutional priority, following the opening of accession negotiations in June 2024. The EU’s EUR 1.9 billion Growth Plan (2025–27) supports reforms, investment and economic convergence.
Demographic pressures
With a population of 2.46 million and one of the fastest rates of demographic decline in the world, Moldova continues to face severe labour shortages, rural depopulation and rapid ageing. Nearly 30% of Moldovans live abroad, while only 6.2% of the population are immigrants. This is insufficient to offset losses. The working‑age population has been shrinking since 2008 and could fall by one third by 2050.
Refugee integration
By late 2024, Moldova hosted around 136,000 Ukrainian refugees (5% of its population). Refugees face low employment (49% of working‑age adults), high informality (only 37% with formal contracts), language barriers and difficulties in recognising qualifications. Women and older persons are disproportionately affected.
Education reform and Education 2030 implementation
Education remains a national reform priority. In 2025, the Ministry expanded the Model Schools Network to 90 schools to reduce rural‑urban disparities and strengthen quality. A digital competence framework for students, new teacher certification rules and updated personnel norms was adopted. There are persisting challenges, with teacher shortages, especially in rural areas and STEM subjects adding to an ageing workforce, and infrastructure gaps.
Vocational education and training (VET)
VET reform accelerated through stronger autonomy, quality assurance via ANACEC, curriculum updates and closer employer engagement. In 2025, dual education continued expanding, with 3,340 students enrolled (+1,201 vs 2024). Fifteen Centres of Excellence now act as hubs for innovation, teacher development and the validation of non‑formal learning. Green skills advanced with new qualifications in solar heating, geothermal systems and energy‑efficient technologies.
Dual education and work‑based learning
Dual education benefits from a solid legal framework, employer incentives, and partnerships with the Chamber of Commerce. New unified qualification examinations were piloted in 2025 across 21 VET institutions, improving transparency and assessment quality.
Labour market dynamics
Employment reached 42.7% in 2024, with youth employment at 17.6%. Unemployment is low (4%), yet vacancies remain high—4.7% of all jobs in Q1 2025—reflecting skills shortages, especially in ICT, manufacturing and construction. The NEET rate continues to decline, reaching 21.9%, though still double the EU average. Vulnerable employment remains high at ~19%.
Youth transitions
Early school leaving continues to fall (to 16.4% in 2024, down from 21.5% in 2022) but remains above the EU level. Youth Guarantee‑aligned measures are being piloted, focusing on NEET identification, career guidance and targeted ALMPs. Gender inequalities persist, with young women facing structural barriers to labour market entry.
Digital transformation
Moldova adopted a new digital competence framework (2025), a regulation on the use of digital devices in schools (2024), and a national concept for distance learning. EMIS/SIME digitalisation advanced, including automatic digital issuance of TVET certificates and supplements. Significant gaps remain in teachers’ digital skills and access to training, especially in rural areas.
Green transition and skills for sustainability
The Environment Strategy 2024–2030 aims to cut emissions by 70% (from 1990 levels). Green content is being integrated across curricula, and new vocational qualifications in green technologies launched in 2025. EU‑funded initiatives support schools with energy equipment and climate education.
Priorities for 2026
👉 Advance VET governance reform and system coherence
Support the operationalisation of the new coordination mechanisms and clarify institutional responsibilities across ministries and agencies. Strengthen national and sector‑level structures to ensure better alignment between VET provision, labour‑market needs and EU policy frameworks.
👉 Accelerate work‑based learning expansion and quality assurance
Implement the next phase of dual VET and WBL, including company engagement, mentor training and monitoring tools. Improve quality assurance systems so that WBL becomes a reliable, structured pathway for learners and employers.
👉 Strengthen the National Qualifications Framework and validation of prior learning
Advance the integration of all qualification types into the NQF, reinforce governance, and roll out validation of non‑formal and informal learning to widen opportunities for adults and ensure transparency of qualifications at home and across the EU.
👉 Boost digital and green skills in education and training
Build on the digital education initiatives introduced in 2024–2025 by enhancing teacher competences, updating curricula, and scaling digital tools across general education and VET. Support skills for the green economy in line with Moldova’s commitments under EU integration processes.