Telecommunications links are via land line to the Ukraine and through Moscow's switching center to countries beyond the former USSR. In 1997, there were 627,000 main line telephones in use as well as 2,200 mobile cellular phones. Radio Kishinev and Kishinev Television broadcast in Romanian and Russian. As of 1998, there were 7 AM and 50 FM radio stations. In 1995, there was only one major television station, but 2001 reports indicate there are a number of smaller, local stations in operation and the country receives broadcasts from Romania, France, and Russia. In 2000 there were about 758 radios and 297 television sets for every 1,000 people. About two Internet service providers served 15,000 users in 2000.

A wide variety of political views and commentaries are expressed through a number of newspapers and periodicals. National and city governments sponsor newspapers, as do political parties, professional organizations, and trade unions. The largest newspapers in 2002 were Moldova Suverana ( Sovereign Moldova , circulation 105,000), Nezavisimaya Moldova ( Independent Moldova , 60,692), and Viata Satului ( Life of the Village , 50,000).

The constitution provides for free speech and a free press, and the government is said to generally respect these rights.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova handles the internal and external economic affairs of the country. Political associations and organizations in the country include the Union of Council of Labor Collectives (ULC), Ecology Movement of Moldova (EMM), the Christian Democratic League of Women of Moldova, and the Alliance of Working People of Moldova.

The Academy of Sciences of Moldova works to promote public interest and education in scientific fields. The NGO Club was formed to assist in the development and consolidation of various organizations, as well as to serve as an informational network between groups. National women's organizations include the Women's Organization of Moldova (est. 1996) and the Gender in Development (GID) Project (est. 1994). International organizations with national chapters include Save the Children and the Red Cross.

While Moldova was a part of the Soviet Union, its education system was based on the Soviet pattern, and Russian was the language of instruction. However, after its separation, extensive changes were introduced in the education system. In 1996, educational expenditure amounted to 9.7% of GNP and approximately 28.1% of total government expenditure.

Education is compulsory for 11 years, between the ages of 6 and 17. In 1997, primary schools enrolled 320,725 students and employed 14,097 teachers. Student-to-teacher ratio stood at 23 to 1. In the same year, secondary schools had 445,501 students and 28,615 teachers.

The Moldovan State University was founded in 1945 and uses both Moldovan and Russian as languages of instruction. In 1997, all institutions of higher education had a combined enrollment of 93,759; teaching staff totaled 8,814. For the year 2000, adult illiteracy was estimated at 1.1% (males, 0.4%; females, 1.7%).

The National Library at Chis¸inau holds 418,000 volumes. The Scientific and Technical Library of Moldova, holds 600,000 volumes. The country's largest library, at the State University of Moldova, has 1.82 million volumes, including a valuable rare books collection. The Technical University of Moldova has 1.04 million volumes. The country had a public library system of 1,601 branches in 1995 holding a total of 18.9 million volumes.

The State Art Museum is in the capital. In addition, Moldova has a number of historical and archaeological museums.

A social insurance system provides benefits for old age, disability, and survivorship in addition to worker's compensation for injury and unemployment, and family allowances. These programs are financed by 38% contributions from employers in agriculture and industry, and 1% from employees (23% if self-employed). The government contributes the whole cost of social pensions for those who are excluded from coverage from the national social security system. Medical care is available to all residents. Moldova has comprehensive legislation for the protection of children, including programs for paid maternity leave, a birth grant, and family allowances.

Although women are accorded equal rights under the law, they are underrepresented in government and other leadership positions. Nevertheless, the president of the country's largest bank is a woman, and women constitute a growing percentage of public-sector managers. Several women's organizations participate in political or charitable activities. Domestic violence remains a problem and is rarely prosecuted.

The constitution provides for equality under the law regardless of race, sex, disability, religion, or social origin, but discrimination persists. Violations occur particularly against the Romani and Moldovan speakers in the separatist Transnistrian region. Human rights are generally observed and respected, although there were reports of mistreatment of prisoners and detainees. Prison conditions remain harsh.

Moldova has been working on developing its own standards for health care. As of 1999, there were an estimated 3.5 physicians and 12.1 hospital beds per 1,000 people. Total health care expenditures in 1999 were 6.4% of GDP.

The 1999 birth rate was 14 per 1,000 people, with 64,740 births that year. The maternal mortality rate was 34 per 100,000 live births between 1989–1995. Average life expectancy was 68 years in 2000. The infant mortality rate for 2000 was 18 per 1,000 live births. The overall death rate was estimated at 12.6 per 1,000 people as of 2002. In 1992, there were approximately 1,000 deaths from ethnic conflict within the country. In 1995, nearly the entire urban population (96%), but only 9% of the rural population, had access to sanitation.

In 1997, Moldova's immunization rates for children up to one year old were: tuberculosis, 99%; diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus, 97%; polio, 98%; and measles, 99%. Despite high immunization rates, 2,626 cases of tuberculosis and 3,951 cases of measles were documented in 1995. In 1999, there were 130 reported cases of tuberculosis per 100,000 people. Epidemic diphtheria has spread throughout the new independent states of the former Soviet Union. In Moldova there was an 11% increase in diphtheria cases from 1994 to 1995. As of 1999, the number of people living with HIV/AIDS was estimated at 4,500 and deaths from AIDS that year were estimated at fewer than 100. HIV prevalence was 0.2 per 100 adults.

In 2000, there were about 1.3 million housing units nationwide. Though the government has encouraged privatization of housing and individual home ownership. Most residents, particularly in urban areas, find home ownership to be far too expensive in a poor economy. The existing housing stock is in serious disrepair. Most structures were built before 1980 and maintenance has been poor. Only about 28.9% of all dwellings have an indoor bathroom; only 31% have access to a sewage system. About 62% of all households use wells as a primary source of water. In 1999, only 2,900 structures were completed. Most new housing is built with brick or stone and concrete frames.