
Economy
Moldova is among Europe's poorest countries, a small, landlocked, agrarian economy that has struggled since independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, a difficulty compounded by the breakaway region of Transnistria.
Heavily reliant on remittances from citizens working abroad, Moldova has pursued closer ties with the EU, gaining candidate status in 2022, while reducing its longtime energy dependence on Russia.
The economy centers on agriculture and food processing — especially wine, for which Moldova is renowned, along with fruit and vegetables — together with textiles and a small manufacturing sector.