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This contribution discusses the problem of Covid-19 demographic and economic losses in Moldova. Although the pandemic is now no longer in the headlines, it is essential to understand how severe it was in Southeastern Europe. To illustrate this, the present study uses the example of the Republic of Moldova as a country with relatively high excess mortality. The Covid-19 mortality pattern in Moldova appears typical for the Eastern European and post-Soviet countries, with a decline in life expectancy for 2020–2021 and a more substantial decline for women. One of the main explanations for this pattern is the failure of the vaccination campaign, partly due to the population’s lack of trust in the healthcare system. The National Transfer Accounts approach is suggested to estimate economic losses. As a reference country for comparing the pandemic losses in Moldova, the present study uses Serbia, which was also strongly affected by the pandemic.

Despite mortality improvements across Europe, premature mortality notably persists in Central and East European countries. This study is aimed to assess premature mortality variations across Central and East European countries from 1970 to 2019, employing both classical premature mortality indicators and the more nuanced lifespan disparity indicators. Specifically, the analysis utilised the proportion of deaths up to the age of 65, lifespan disparity, and an age threshold derived from lifespan disparity to explore mortality trends. The findings reveal a stable reduction in premature mortality within Central European and Baltic countries, contrasting with the pronounced fluctuations experienced by East European countries. Remarkably, Czechia, Slovakia, and Estonia demonstrating the most significant progress in mitigating premature deaths. The trajectory of premature mortality in Central and Eastern European nations underscores the influence of socioeconomic crises and distinct alcohol consumption patterns on mortality trends. The study highlights the limitations of employing a static age threshold of 65 years in analysis of premature mortality, which fails to capture the full scope of premature mortality realities, particularly among females. However, the traditional metric of deaths before age 65 provides a broadly understandable measure, the nuanced insights offered by lifespan disparity and its derived age threshold enhance our understanding of premature mortality dynamics. Recognising the strengths and limitations of each indicator is essential for advancing our grasp of premature mortality and for refining the development and execution of targeted public health interventions throughout Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of return migrants in the Republic of Moldova is small and those who have returned face different socio‐economic reintegration problems, which leads to their re‐inclusion in migration. In this regard, ensuring a sustainable reintegration of return migrants becomes of a great importance. The article aims to analyse the process of socio‐economic reintegration of return migrants in Moldova. To achieve this goal, the following methods were used: qualitative sociological research, policy and SWOT analysis. Conducted research showed that there is a developed legislative framework, which is not fully functional. Even if the Government takes measures to facilitate reintegration of return migrants, some of these are still not easily accessible and sustainable. The study reveals that return migrants often face same problems as local people. A general socio‐economic growth will ensure economic development, creation of opportunities for citizens to work in the country and not to (re)emigrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]