The National Bureau of Statistics has published data on the volume of construction works in the first quarter of this year, and the figures are quite concerning. For the first time in the past two years, a decline has been recorded — and a significant one: 12% compared to the first quarter of 2025. Decreases were registered in new construction (‑7.1%), maintenance and current repairs (‑13.1%), and capital repairs (‑23.5%). At the same time, the volume of works such as demolitions or land preparation for construction increased by 5.2%.

Looking at construction types, engineering structures fell by 6%, and non‑residential buildings by 27.6%. The only positive development was in residential buildings, where construction works increased by 2.8%.

The situation is no better when it comes to housing put into operation. In the first quarter of this year, only 16.5 thousand m² of residential space were commissioned — 6.8 times less than in the same period last year, when 112.8 thousand m² were delivered. Even though one third of the commissioned housing is in Chișinău, the capital registered a dramatic decline: 17 times less than in Q1 2025. Last year, Chișinău delivered 92 thousand m², while this year — only 5.3 thousand m².

The picture is further completed by official statistics on building permits. Between January and March 2026, 586 construction permits were issued, down 3.5% compared to the same period in 2025. Of these, 444 permits were for residential buildings and 142 for non‑residential buildings — decreases of 0.9% and 10.7%, respectively. The only relatively positive exception is Chișinău, where 14 more permits were issued than last year (+8.3%).

The real estate market also performed poorly in the first quarter. If in the first three months of last year 2,884 apartments were sold in Chișinău, in the same period this year only 623 apartments were sold.

All these indicators show that a comprehensive analysis of the situation in the construction sector is urgently needed, followed by concrete measures. If action is not taken now, the situation may deteriorate further — an outcome that must be avoided, given the crucial role of construction in the national economy. It is worth recalling that last year the construction sector grew by 32.2%, and its contribution to GDP was 8%. The conclusions are clear — what remains is to act.

Viorel Godea, General Director of “Lagmar”