According to a survey by the European Statistical Office Eurostat, by 2100 the population of the European Union will decrease by about 6%, or just over 27 million people. Latvia, however, is expected to experience a more fast decline – as early as the mid-21st century Latvians are expected to be little than 1.5 million, and if the forecasts prove to be true, there will be 1.16 million people in the country in 2100 years. Moreover, if this trend continues, Latvia will become the least populated Baltic country in 2060, even though present there are half a million more people surviving in this country than Estonia.
The current situation was influenced by waves of emigration – the first of them occurred in the early 1990s, after Latvia regained its independence. Many people left to look for better opportunities due to the fact that the situation in the country was uncertain. In 2004, another wave occurred erstwhile abroad labour markets opened up after joining the European Union for Latvia. The population decline was besides affected by the financial crisis of emigration between 2008 and 2010 – even though Latvia rapidly dealt with the situation, becoming an example for another countries. In 2010, the population of the country fell to 2 million.
So far, nothing's going to change for the better. Since 1990, the country has had a negative birth rate. Over the last 4 years, deaths have been at least twice as advanced as births. In 2024, 12,571 tiny Latvians were born, which means a decrease of 1919 births (13.2%) compared to 2023. January 2025 was the 4th period in turn erstwhile less than 1,000 children were born in the country. At the same time, the average age of those who choose to have a kid and the average life expectancy increases. According to Eurostat data, in 2070 men in Latvia will live over 82 years, while women will live over 88 years.
The situation in Latvia has been alarming for years, given the fact that the generation born present is to create, for example, a country's pension system. More and more people are paying attention to the demographic crisis, but there is inactive no decisive action. The government, as stated by Prime Minister Evika Siliņy, has been continuing to work on defining directions for support for improving demography. However, as opposition MP Linda Matisone pointed out, the situation in the country requires action immediately, as Latvia desperately lacks young mothers – despite the increasing number of marriages, young families either quit having children or decide to emigrate. Government financial support for families and the benefit strategy has not been revised for years. According to Matison, politicians look at young parents through the prism of spreadsheets, while families are mediocre and Latvia is dying out.
