Women are more often subject of administrative offence reports and criminal records in cases of passive corruption, compared to men, likely due to greater economic vulnerability. This is the main conclusion of an analytical report by the Partnership for Development Centre (CPD) entitled "Electoral corruption in the Republic of Moldova: social profiles, gender disparities and institutional response".

The analysis was carried out by the CPD with the support of UNDP Moldova, in partnership with UN Women Moldova and funded by Norway, Canada, Sweden and Denmark. The report analyses the socio-demographic profiles of those involved in cases of electoral corruption. The data analysed covers the period of the 2024 Presidential Election and Constitutional Referendum. 

Profile of electoral passive corruption: women, older people, and unemployed

A rigorous analysis of 25,882 administrative offence reports and 77 criminal records from September 2024 to August 2025 shows that socially exposed segments are the most involved in acts of corruption:

• 61.9% of offenders are women. CPD estimates that women are approximately 20% more likely to be drawn into these schemes than men.
• The average age of those involved is 52.6 years, with the over-60s being the most affected (38.1% of cases).
• Over 85% of those sanctioned are not in active employment (57.5% unemployed and 28.3% retired).

These data reinforce the hypothesis that economic factors – especially professional inactivity – are directly correlated with the predisposition to accept electoral bribes and prevention policies should explicitly target the most exposed socio-economic categories.

As electoral corruption disproportionately affects women, people over 40, the unemployed and pensioners, public policies should directly target these groups. Continued investment in economic inclusion and social protection measures is needed.

This research was developed as part of the project "Strengthening democratic resilience in Moldova", implemented by UNDP Moldova in partnership with UN Women Moldova and funded by Norway, Canada, Sweden and Denmark.