Latvia loses 12,000 residents despite demographic promises

Latvia’s population has fallen by about 12,000 people over the past year despite years of government promises to improve the country’s demographic situation, Latvian Radio reported in an article published by LSM.

Efforts to increase the birth rate, ensure dignified old age and reduce emigration have included legislative changes and higher benefits. However, the population continues to decline.

Births remain below deaths, more people leave Latvia than move to the country, and healthy life expectancy remains among the lowest in Europe. Eurostat forecasts that Latvia will experience the largest population decline in the European Union, with the number of residents falling to 1.23 million by the end of the century.

Demography a priority for several governments

Several governments have made demographic policy a priority, promising to increase benefits, stop people from leaving and improve the quality of healthcare.

About 95 million euros in additional funding was allocated in this year’s budget for issues directly related to demography. Arvils Ašeradens, who was finance minister at the time, announced the allocation after government talks last autumn.

“Additional funding has been allocated in the budget for demography and support for families and children,” Ašeradens said.

Latvian Radio examined the commitments made by politicians from the 14th Saeima and assessed which promises to improve demography have been fulfilled and which have been forgotten.