Budăi (Bulgarian: Будей) is a commune and village in Taraclia District, Moldova.Clasificatorul unităților administrativ-teritoriale al Republicii Moldova (CUATM) According to the 2024 Moldovan census the village has 591 people, 242 (40.9%) of them being Moldovans, 110 (18.6%) Bulgarians, 98 (16.6%) Ukrainians.https://statistica.gov.md/en/statistic_indicator_details/60 Final Results of the Population and Housing Census 2024 - Population and Housing Census 2024: Ethno-cultural Characteristics (in Romanian)
The commune is composed of the following villages:
Budăi (Bulgarian: Будей) Dermengi (Bulgarian: Дерменджи)
History The village of Budăi was formed in the early 19th century. According to legend the area was settled by a Hungarian called Budda, which the village derives its name from. In 1944 an elementary school was opened in the village. In 1949 it was reformed into a seven-year school and in 2021 to a highschool. In 2000 a church named after Demetrius of Thessaloniki was opened.https://ibn.idsi.md/sites/default/files/imag_file/p-175-178_1.pdf СЕЛО БУДЕЙ РАЙОНА ТАРАКЛИЯ – ИСТОРИЯ И СОВРЕМЕННАЯ ЖИЗНЬ, Галина Терзи, Полина Гуцу
Dermengi (Bulgarian: Дерменджи) was first documented in 1878, the toponym for the village is thought to come from the Gagauz word for mill. Since the formation of Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, it has been an enclave surrounded by the enclave of Carbalia and Cahul District.
Demographics According to the 2024 census, 591 inhabitants lived in the commune of Budăi, a decrease compared to the previous census in 2014, when 834 inhabitants were registered.
+Ethnic composition of Budăi commune (2024)Ethnic groupPopulation% PercentageMoldovans24240.9%Romanians20.3%Bulgarians11018.6%Ukrainians9816.6%Russians8113.7%Gagauz539.0%Others50.8%Total591100%
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