The Moldovan Parliament passed in the first reading the draft law on the state budget - 2026 with a deficit of 20.9 billion lei (5.5% of GDP)
In particular, next year's state budget revenue is expected to amount to 79.674 billion lei (up 3.8772 billion lei, or 5.1%, compared to the revised figures for 2025), expenditures will amount to 100 billion 574 million lei (up 6 billion 556.2 million lei, or 7%), and the deficit will amount to 20 billion 900 million lei (up 2 billion 689 million lei, or 14.8%). Finance Minister Andrian Gavrilita noted that the 2026 budget has been tentatively named the "Responsible Investment Budget" and is focused on investment, economic growth, and improving the standard of living for citizens. The document aims to strengthen economic stability, develop infrastructure, stimulate the competitiveness of the private sector, and promote strategic investments in priority sectors of the economy. The minimum wage in the public sector will also be increased from 5,500 to 6,300 lei. The 2026 budget is based on a forecast of 2.4% GDP growth next year to 377 billion lei, average annual inflation of 4.3%, and an average monthly salary of 17,400 lei, which is more than 11% higher than in 2025. The 2026 state budget provides for a 55% increase in capital investments to more than 3 billion lei for the implementation of 85 projects, with total capital expenditures exceeding 11.4 billion lei. The following investments in infrastructure are planned: 650 million lei for local roads; 450 million lei for the European Village program; 300 million lei for railway infrastructure. The following funds are planned to support the economy: 200 million lei – FACEM program; 200 million lei – “373” program; 150 million lei – multifunctional industrial platforms; 250 million lei – state support for industry and services; 50 million lei – creation of Moldova HiTech Park; 60 million lei – support for the capital market. An increase in investment in agriculture has been agreed on. In particular, the Agricultural Producers Support Fund will increase by 600 million lei to 2.2 billion lei, and allocations for the LEADER program will increase by 100 million lei to 230 million lei. In the field of energy security and a clean environment, the amount of funds for the National Afforestation Program will increase by 470 million lei (a total of 675 million lei); an additional 500 million lei will be allocated to improve energy efficiency in the housing sector, of which: 212 million lei will go to the Green House program. 200 million lei are earmarked for electricity storage systems; 110 million lei will go to projects to integrate energy systems. In the field of education, spending will also increase in the following areas: 130 million lei for kindergarten services; 238 million lei for free school meals; 42 million lei for kindergarten repairs; 35 million lei for increased scholarships; 400 million lei for the modernization of school and university education. In the healthcare sector: 240 million lei for the modernization of five hospitals; 202 million lei for compensation for medicines and medical devices (a total of 1.4 billion lei); 90 million lei for the modernization of district hospitals. To increase the population's income, 372 million lei will be allocated to increase the minimum wage for public sector employees to 6,300 lei; 494 million lei – to increase the base wage rate (from 2,200 to 2,400 lei); 162 million lei – for measures to ensure employment; 400 million lei – to pay compensation for unused vacation time. In addition, 1.9 billion lei will be allocated for compensation for heat energy; 120 million lei – for the “First House” program; 138 million lei – to support young professionals. The structure of the main expenditures in the state budget will be as follows: social protection - 35.8% (55.4 billion lei), education - 14.9% (23 billion lei), healthcare - 13.9% (21.5 billion lei), economic services - 11.4% (17 billion lei). Finance Minister Andrian Gavrilita emphasized that the 2026 budget is a budget of responsible investments that will ensure that in the coming years, more and more citizens will enjoy decent incomes and economic independence. It is planned that the largest share of the revenue forecast for next year - 91.4% - will come from taxes and fees. According to the Ministry of Finance, the increase in revenue is due to moderate economic growth, favorable external dynamics, and progress in structural reforms. Expenditures will increase by 7% compared to those planned for 2025 and will exceed 100.57 billion lei. It is expected that 93% of the expenditures provided for in next year's budget will be covered by general state budget resources. At the same time, more than 5.7 billion lei will be allocated to projects financed from external sources. According to the Ministry of Finance, the state budget for 2026 focuses on responsible investments. Thus, next year, capital expenditures will increase by 35.6% compared to 2025 and exceed 3 billion lei, the highest figure in recent years. These funds are intended for the implementation of 85 infrastructure and road projects, investments in nurseries, kindergartens, food, and repairs. In addition, 5.6 billion lei has been allocated from the EU growth plan for investment projects, infrastructure, and reforms. The largest share of capital investments—more than 47%—is in the economic sector. This amounts to 1.44 billion lei, 81.8% of which is earmarked for road reconstruction projects financed from external sources. Another 245 million lei of the total amount allocated for capital investments is earmarked for water supply and sewerage projects. The document also stipulates that allocations for general public services account for 16% of total state budget expenditures (16.1 billion lei). 74% of the total amount is earmarked for development programs and other sectoral activities – the introduction of information technologies; support for the diaspora; financial support for administrative-territorial units, etc. Allocations of 14.85 billion lei are earmarked for services in the economic sphere, which is 25.8% more than the allocations provided for in 2025. More than 1.06 billion lei is earmarked for measures to support small and medium-sized enterprises; 561.8 million lei for the production and storage of electricity; 465.2 million lei for the National Fund for Agriculture and Rural Development; 284 million lei for the National Fund for Regional and Local Development, etc. Approximately 9.8% of state budget expenditures (9.89 billion lei) are earmarked for healthcare. These funds are allocated for the development of an integrated regional network, the introduction of electronic medical records, a system for monitoring and localizing medicines, expanding access to innovative medicines, etc. In addition, 21.94 billion lei are earmarked for education, including 238 million lei for free meals for high school students, 35 million lei for increasing scholarships for students, and 41 million lei for the reconstruction of kindergartens. 22.47 billion lei will be allocated to social protection. "It is extremely important that the planned budget is used as effectively as possible. We will closely monitor the degree of budget execution," said Radu Marian, Chairman of the Committee on Economy, Budget, and Finance. According to him, total capital expenditures will amount to 11.4 billion lei, and investments related to the EU's Growth Plan for Moldova will amount to 5.6 billion lei. Investments in programs to support entrepreneurs will be increased, and investments in nurseries, kindergartens, food and repairs, in the development of settlements, infrastructure and roads that stimulate trade and mobility will continue. Compensation programs and investments in access to healthcare will continue. In 2026, a new Wage Law will be adopted, which will correct inequalities and improve the situation of vulnerable groups, including through bonuses. "As part of the "Responsible Investment Budget", we are developing measures that will ensure sustainable economic growth so that we can subsequently increase revenues significantly and continuously. The plan is to have a budget that is sufficient to increase the income of everyone — teachers, police officers, doctors, civil servants, and all those who work honestly," said Radu Marian. The state budget deficit for 2026 is estimated at 20.9 billion lei. The main sources of financing will be both domestic and foreign. // 15.12.2025 – InfoMarket.
