Half of men in Moldova do not reach retirement age

Moldova's population decreases by about 8,000 people a year, which is the equivalent of two medium-size villages, Boris Galca, Assistant Representative of the United Nations Population Fund in Moldova, said during a conference on April 23, Info-Prim Neo reports. The conference centered on the draft Demographic Security Strategy of Moldova for 2010-2025. According to UNFPA demographic experts, for the strategy to be successful it should be accompanied by a demographic policy with measures that will have financial backing. Expert Constantin Matei said the serious demographic problems endanger Moldova's statehood. More than one third of the persons who died last year were economically active, the death rate being higher among men, he said. “This is mainly due to the increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and the limited access to medical services. There are cases when three-four villages have by one doctor, while the villages with 4,000-6,000 inhabitants have by one nurse. The improvement of the medical infrastructure must be a priority,” Constantin Matei said. Francois Farah, UNFPA Director for Moldova, said the demographic problem is complex and the measures taken do not produce immediate results. “A series of steps must be taken, including the formulation of polices in the field and their consistent implementation,” Francois Farah said. According to the data provided at the conference, during the last two decades Moldova lost more people than during the war, famine and as a result of deportations. The natality decreases at an alarming rate. Half of the men do not reach retirement age. According to the experts, if immediate measures are not taken, Moldova's population will decline by 1 million until 2050. The Demographic Security Strategy of Moldova is to be approved by the end of this year.