Which languages are spoken in Moldova?

The official language of Moldova is Romanian. While the country's constitution historically designated "Moldovan" as the official language, it is now widely recognized that Moldovan and Romanian are the same language, with differences limited to minor variations in vocabulary and phonetics.12

The state officially protects the right of its citizens to use and develop several languages, including Romanian, Russian, and Ukrainian. Due to historical influences and urbanization, bilingualism is common, with many citizens using Russian as a second language.2

Additionally, the Gagauz language, which is of Turkic origin, serves as an official language within the autonomous region of Gagauz, where Romanian and Russian are also spoken. Other ethnic communities in Moldova, such as Bulgarians and Roma, also maintain their respective languages.23