Systemic Barriers for People With Disabilities

There are more than 165 thousand people with disabilities in Moldova, which is about the same as one Gagauzia or half of Transnistria. And the main problem for them is not the meager payments (although this is also a significant factor), but the basic accessibility. Transportation, infrastructure, education are still inaccessible for a significant part of these people.

In 2025, persons with disabilities represent about 6.7% of the Moldovan population, and children with disabilities represent 2.3% of the total number of children under 18 years of age. Almost every second person with disabilities belongs to the category with a pronounced degree of limitations. The largest share of persons with identified limitations is in the age group of 30-45 years. Men predominate in this category. The number of recipients of disability pensions and state social benefits amounted to 160 thousand people, including 11.4 thousand children under 17 years of age.