This article addresses macroeconomic aspects of growth, migration and poverty reduction. The export of labour and the resulting inflow of workers’ remittances have come to dominate the economic and social landscape of both Right- and Left-bank Moldova. However, the social costs of migration have been unacceptably high, the impact on the domestic labour force negative, and the level of remittances unsustainable. Whole Moldova is faced with a number of possible migration scenarios and it may not be able to choose the one it would prefer. The status quo is unlikely to continue. The fundamental issue is whether Moldova would be a society dependent on migration and remittances, in return for the possibility of an increase of living standards and quality of life, or whether the vulnerability of such a society requires a progressive reduction in the importance of migration and remittances.