Rural–Urban Economic Inequality Among Older People: Evidence from National Transfer Accounts for Moldova

Abstract The study examines rural–urban economic inequality among older people in Moldova using a territorially disaggregated National Transfer Accounts (NTA) approach. Drawing on NTA data for the period 2019–2023, it provides a comprehensive macroeconomic analysis of differences in income structure and levels between older populations living in rural and urban areas. The results reveal a persistent and widening income gap between older residents in urban and rural areas. Rural older adults have significantly lower total disposable income (TDI), reflecting limited access to formal employment and capital income, lower pension levels, and greater reliance on public transfers. This highlights the structural and cumulative disadvantages faced by rural older populations and the growing pressures on Moldova’s social protection system. These findings have important implications for designing context-sensitive ageing and social policies, addressing income inequality in later life, and supporting economic resilience in rural areas.