Republic of Moldova: A Two-Speed Economy: Territorial Disparities and the Evolution of Turnover Over Time

Abstract

This paper analyzes the economic development of the Republic of Moldova through the perspective of turnover dynamics and territorial disparities. The aim of the research is to assess whether economic growth is uniformly distributed or characterized by structural imbalances across regions. The study is based on statistical methods, including descriptive analysis, time series analysis for the period 2017–2024, and correlation analysis between turnover and the number of employees. The results highlight a significant increase in total turnover, which doubled during the analyzed period, indicating a positive economic trend at the national level. However, the territorial distribution reveals pronounced inequalities, with the majority of regions concentrated at low levels of economic activity, while only a limited number of areas generate high turnover values. The correlation analysis indicates a very strong positive relationship between turnover and employment, showing that economic growth is closely linked to the use of labor resources. The findings confirm that the Republic of Moldova can be characterized as a two-speed economy, where economic growth is unevenly distributed, emphasizing the need for policies aimed at reducing regional disparities and ensuring a balanced development. CZU: 005.52:334.72(478); JEL: C13, E01, J21, R11, R12