One in five Latvians remains at risk of poverty

About 22% of Latvia’s population, or approximately 404,000 people, are at risk of poverty, LSM reports. The threshold is just under 700 euros a month for one person and just under 1,500 euros for a family of two adults and two young children.

Older people and single-parent families remain the groups most exposed to poverty. The issue also affects access to healthcare, education and other opportunities. A social anthropologist described living in poverty as “structural violence permitted by the state”.

Antonija Liepiņa, a pensioner, said she prays every day for good health and not to fall ill. She and Zinaīda Ruško visit a municipality-funded service for a hot meal. Potatoes, a cutlet and salad provide important relief, and about 100 people come there each day even during the summer.

Ruško, who is over 80, has a 476-euro pension after 32 years of employment. She said she cannot make ends meet after paying for medication and housing. “It is difficult, very difficult. I count every cent,” Ruško said.

Approximately half of people of pension age are at risk of poverty, particularly women and those living alone. The next most vulnerable group is families in which one parent raises the children.

Marta, who is raising three children alone, said paying all the bills and avoiding debt were her priorities. “We ate very, very modestly. Sometimes the children had eaten and I thought about what I would eat,” she said.

LSM reported that reducing poverty should be a commitment for the politicians elected to the new Saeima on October 4, but the issue receives relatively little attention in party programmes. Possible solutions include a basic pension and additional support for single parents.