t(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female
total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 43.52 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 64.39 years
male: 59.76 years
female: 69.24 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.86 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Moldovan(s)
adjective: Moldovan

Ethnic groups: Moldavian/Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian
13%, Gagauz 3.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Bulgarian 2%, other 1.7% (1989 est.)
note: internal disputes with ethnic Russians in the Transdniester
region

Religions: Eastern Orthodox 98.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist (only
about 1,000 members) (1991)
note: the large majority of churchgoers are ethnic Moldovans

Languages: Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian
language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96%
male: 99%
female: 94% (1989 est.)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Moldova
conventional short form: Moldova
local long form: Republica Moldova
local short form: none
former: Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova; Moldavia

Data code: MD

Government type: republic

Capital: Chisinau

Administrative divisions: 40 raions (singular--raion) and 4
municipalities*; Anenii Noi, Balti*, Basarabeasca, Bender*, Briceni,
Cahul, Cainari, Calarasi, Camenca, Cantemir, Causeni, Ceadir-Lunga,
Chisinau*, Cimislia, Comrat, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari,
Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Grigoriopol, Hincesti, Ialoveni,
Leova, Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Ribnita, Riscani, Singerei,
Slobozia, Soldanesti, Soroca, Stefan-Voda, Straseni, Taraclia,
Telenesti, Tiraspol*, Ungheni, Vulcanesti
note: in accordance with the Law on Territorial Administrative
Reform, the 40 raions have been reorganized into 9 counties
(judets), one municipality*, and 2 territorial units**: Baltsi,
Cahul, Chisinau, Chisinau*, Dubossary district (Transnistria)**,
Edinets, Gagauzia**, Lapushna, Orhei, Soroca, Tighina, Ungheni; the
status of the Dubossary district is still under negotiation

Independence: 27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday: