The Moldovan economy has suffered a sharp setback after independence. The conflict with the rebel area of ​​Transnistria has further aggravated the situation.
CHANNEL B    / canalbgustavollusa  
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Moldova was considered before the war in Ukraine as the poorest country in Europe. The economy, traditionally agricultural, began in times of the Soviet Union, an accelerated process of industrialization, especially wine and refined sugar. The production of refrigerators, clothing, construction materials and agricultural machinery was also significant.
The Republic of Moldova is supplied with only 5% of its own energy and fuel resources, the rest is imported. The main supplier of fuel is the Russian Federation. Natural gas is the main type of fuel in the country's energy balance and its share currently constitutes 42%.
41% of Moldovans live in cities, which represents one of the lowest proportions in Europe. The main cities of the country are Chisinau, the capital, with 820,000 inhabitants, Bălți, with 150,000, Tiráspol, with 140,000 and Bender with 91,000. These last two are controlled by the separatist government of Transnistria.
Moldova has the highest infant mortality rate in Europe, reaching 12.9 deaths per 1,000 live births. In addition, life expectancy at birth is 65.9 years for men and 73.9 for women, one of the lowest on the continent.
The population of Moldova is decreasing every year since the country's independence, mainly due to the emigration of its citizens and the low birth rate. From 2018 to 2021, the population has decreased by 133,000 people.
Chisinau's central market is the epicenter of the country's commerce. Residents like this place for its unique atmosphere and the products that can be found there, such as woven baskets, souvenirs from Moldova, fresh fruits and vegetables, sweets, cookies, homemade cakes and other curious things.
While searching for quality and cheap goods, they may share anger, hate, laughter and other emotional states with each other.
But in the surroundings of the market and extending mainly in the direction of the train station, the streets are populated by informal vendors who show a rather stern face, of survival. There are thousands and thousands of Moldovans who only know how to live in austerity.
We walked these corridors under pipes on a Saturday afternoon. We get a more than finished image of how hard life can be in Moldova.
Despite that, the place is safe. Some police actions are dedicated more than anything to maintaining the order of the posts and the composure of the marginal, without any perceived danger.
But it is understood why of emigration with these images. For Moldovans, having a Romanian passport opens the doors to the European Union.
Subtitles in Portuguese, Italian, German, French, Russian and English.

I am Gustavo Llusá, Argentine, after traveling for several years to more than 50 countries, I settled in Latvia where I got married and learned to know another way of life, on the other side of the map.

#FromTheOtherSideOfTheMap #EasternEuropa #Moldova
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