Latgale’s ageing population raises poverty and care risks

Latgale’s shrinking workforce and low incomes could leave more people needing support in old age, while fewer people will be available to provide it, LSM reports. Places in social care facilities are already scarce, and waiting lists are growing.

Average wages in Latgale are about €1,300, roughly a third lower than in Riga, while unemployment is about twice the national average. Lower wages and periods without work can mean smaller pensions, said Oļegs Tkačevs, a chief researcher at the Bank of Latvia.

People in Latvia need at least 20 years of employment to qualify for a minimum pension, Tkačevs said. At present, retirees receive an average pension equal to about 40% of their previous salary. If the number of workers falls as the share of pensioners grows, that proportion is expected to decline further.

Young people interviewed in Latgale said they hoped to spend their later years at home, travelling and without worrying about money. Some said they wanted to save for retirement and stay active.

LSM’s Latgale editorial team examined the challenges facing the region’s older people and their families in its series “Latgale Files: In the Queue for Old Age.”