Population size:
Age structure: under 14: 16.55% (male 201,746; female 193,036); 15 to 64 years old: 68.15% (men 776,509; women 848,908); over 65: 15.3% (male 118,110; female 246,922) (2001 est.).
Population Growth:-0.81% (2001 est.).
Fertility: 8.03 newborns / 1000 people (2001 est.).
Mortality: 14.8 deaths/1000 people (2001 est.).
Migration:-1.27 people /1000 people (2001 est.).
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male/female; under 15: 1.04 male/female; from 15 to 64 years old: 0.91 male/female; over 65: 0.48 male/female; for the general population: 0.85 male/female (2001 est.);
Child mortality: 15.34 deaths/1000 births (2001 est.).
Life expectancy: for the general population: 68.7 years; men: 62.8 years; women: 74.9 years (2001 est.).
General birth rate: 1.15 children / women (2001 est.).
Proportion of adult population infected with HIV: 0.11% (1999 est.).
Number of people infected with HIV: 1,250 (1999 est.).
AIDS deaths: less than 100 (1999 est.).
Nationality: noun: Latvian; adjective: Latvian, Latvian.
Ethnic groups: Latvians 56.5%. Russians 30.4%, Belarusians 4.3%, Ukrainians 2.8%, Poles 2.6%, others 3.4%.
Believers: Lutherans, Catholics, Orthodox.
Languages): Latvian (official), Lithuanian, Russian, others.
Literacy: definition: persons aged 15 and over who can read and write; for the general population: 100%; men: 100%; women: 99% (1989 est.). * The value is calculated by linear interpolation using the two most closely spaced values ​​(Date->Population) (unofficial).
** Migration growth is included in the calculation of birth rate growth: Birth rate = Population + Mortality.
*** We do not have population figures prior to 1950. The figures shown are based on an approximate calculation using the function: population in 1900 = 70% of population in 1950.
United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2015). World Demographic Prospects: A 2015 Revision. These estimates and forecasts were made according to the medium-term birth rate option. Used with permission from the United Nations. Downloaded: 2015-11-15 (un.org)
City density map created from population.city using data provided to us by 1km.net. Each circle represents a city with a population of over 5000. Link
The population density map was created according to the instructions of daysleeperrr on reddig. Link1 . Data source: Gridded Population of the World (GPW), 3rd online edition in Socioeconomic Data and Applications (SEDAC) at Columbia University.

Soviets. During the time that has passed since the collapse of the Soviet Union, much has changed in the economic, political and social situation of Latvia. Some residents are satisfied with the changes that have taken place, while others wish for the best. There was also an opinion that the percentage of indigenous Latvians is very small compared to people of other nationalities living in the country. Some people call Latvia a country of emigrants. The population of Latvia is constantly replenished with emigrants, but the number does not decrease. According to the legalists of the country, the state cannot be compared with Australia, where visiting residents displace indigenous people. The Republic is rightfully considered a multinational state.

Official population

According to the country's Central Statistical Bureau, the official population of Latvia is less than two million people at the end of May 2014. Experts believe that this figure is catastrophic and may affect the very existence of the state. The American Statistical Organization ranked this country in third place in terms of population decline. The reasons for such a rapid decline in the number of people are due to the fact that population growth has a negative value, that is, the number of deaths every day exceeds the number of those who were born. Another problem that affects growth is that out of every thousand people, four people migrate somewhere. People leave with their families in search of decent earnings, a decent life, and just for the sake of adventure. The population of Latvia is dispersed throughout its territory with a density of about 34 people per square kilometer. According to the results of 2010-2011, the urban population exceeds the rural one by almost 30%: about 70% of the population lives in the urban area, 32% in the villages.

The situation with migration

The population of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia is decreasing due to the fact that a lot of families from the Baltic countries go to live in other European countries or Russia. Experts believe that emigration has become the norm in the state. In April 2014, a conference on emigration to and Eastern Europe was held at the University of Latvia. This problem worries many scientists, and in search of a common opinion, they discussed it aloud. At this conference, Latvia and Lithuania were named among the most mobile countries in Europe that are members of the European Union. Emigration has become a problem for the demographic situation, because of it the system of social guarantees is collapsing, the economic situation of countries is undermined. According to statistics, people from the working sector, the so-called middle-ranking workers, most often decide to move. These people are ready to work, but for better wages than they can be offered in their native country.

Birth and death rates of the country's population

The population of Latvia, however, as well as other countries, directly depends on the level of births and deaths. The Center for Statistical Management announced that the birth rate in the country continues to grow: at the end of 2013, the number of children born increased by almost half a thousand children compared to the previous one (from February to December 2013, 18,800 new residents of the country were born). But, despite these figures, population growth continues to be negative - along with the birth rate, the death rate is also growing. In 2013, more than 26,000 people died in the country, so the death rate exceeded the birth rate by 7,745 people.

The words "Latvia", "population", "number 2014" have often been heard in the press lately. All this is due to the fact that, despite the economic development of the country, the number of people living in it is falling every year. Many condemn the country's accession to the EU, looking for reasons in this fact, others associate the demographic problem with the reluctance of women to have children. Women in the country do not want to give birth to many children. In each family, on average, one or two children are born, rarely anyone decides to have more children. In fact, in an hour, the population of Latvia grows by 2.3 people in terms of birth rate (one child is born every 1556.43 seconds). At the same time, 3.2 people die every hour.

The ratio of male and female population

If we compare the population in Latvia depending on gender, then the number of women in the country exceeds the number of men. As of July-August of the current year, the male population has not crossed the mark of 1 million people, there are slightly more than a million women in the state. The ratio of men and women as a percentage is 46 to 54. Although in terms of the ratio of children born, boys exceed girls by 0.054 people. By 2011, the male population is becoming noticeably smaller in the age category of citizens from 15 to 64 years old, and in the age category over 65 years old, there are only 0.48 men per woman.

When was the last census taken?

The last time the population of Latvia was officially determined was in 2011. This happened by rewriting all the inhabitants. The 2011 census was the first since the country joined the European Union in 2004. This procedure was carried out at a high level using new questionnaires, if desired, questionnaires compiled for the census could be filled out on the Internet: the number and identification code of the filler were entered in the statement. The population census data of Latvia were calculated as of March 1, 2011.

What nationalities are represented by the population of the country

Latvia, whose population is decreasing due to the emigration of citizens to other countries, is itself ready to receive and warm people who want to start a new life. The indigenous population of the country, Latvians, is slightly more than half of the citizens. In percentage terms, Latvians in the ethnic composition occupy 59.6%. In the second place in the national composition of Latvia - Russians. They make up 27.57% of all residents of the country. Immigrants from Belarus and Ukraine also live in the Baltic State: Belarusians make up just over 3%, and Ukrainians - up to 3% of all residents. The ethnic composition of the country includes a small group of Lithuanians and Poles, respectively 1.33% and 2.37%. The national composition does not end with this list: Jews, Greeks, Kazakhs, Romanians make up the remaining percentage of the population.

What are the reasons for emigration to Latvia

The population of Latvia is not numerous, the real state of the situation with the number is slightly lower than the official one. But, despite all the problems, Latvia is on the 47th place in the ranking of states that are considered quite good for living. This country is a member of the Schengen zone, since 2004 it has been one of the EU countries, so those who want to become part of Europe choose Latvia as their place of residence. Most emigrants from the CIS countries and the Russian Federation are trying to become citizens of this small state.

Average life expectancy of a Latvian

The life expectancy of people in Latvia is about 72 years, while women in the country live an average of 11 years longer than men: the life expectancy of the female population is 78 years, the male population is 67.

According to statistics, the population of the country is decreasing every year

According to statistics, the population in Latvia is significantly decreasing every year. Experts say that the number of people living in the country will never exceed 2 million people. There has been no trend towards an increase in its number over the past 20 years, so it is not worth hoping that in times of crisis the birth rate will exceed the death rate. Since 2012, the rate of population decline has slowed down significantly due to an increase in the birth rate in all regions of the country. The birth rate especially increased in Riga - by 7% and in the Riga region - by 3.1%. According to the CSO in Latvia in 12 regions, the birth rate is quite high, but the death rate is not decreasing either. In order for the population to grow, it is necessary that each family has at least three or four children.

RIGA, May 28 - Sputnik. The population of Latvia continues to decline - at the beginning of this year, 1.934 million people lived in Latvia, which is 15,700 people less than a year earlier, according to data on the website of the Central Statistical Bureau (CSO).

In percentage terms, the population of Latvia decreased by 0.8% in 2017, and by 1% in 2016.

Last year, 20,800 children were born in Latvia, which is 1,140 less than a year earlier, and 28,700 people died, which is 177 more. Thus, the number of deaths exceeded the number of births per year by 7,900 people, and this is the largest figure in the last four years. By comparison, 6,600 more people died in 2016 than were born.

As a result of migration, the population of Latvia in 2017 decreased by 7,800 people (in 2016 - by 12,200). Last year, 9,900 people came to live in Latvia, which is 1,600 more than in 2016, and 17,700 people left the country, which is 2,900 less than a year earlier.

By regions, Latgale lost the most inhabitants - minus 5.4 thousand people per year. In Vidzeme - minus 3.3 thousand people, Kurzeme - minus 3.3 thousand, Zemgale - minus 2.7 thousand.

As a result of a slight increase in the birth rate over five years, the number of children aged 0 to 14 has increased by 13,000, including 1,700 in 2017. Children make up 15.8% of the population of Latvia.

The number of residents over the age of 65 increased by 900 people in 2017, and their share increased from 19.9% ​​at the beginning of the year to 20.1% at the end of the year.

The CSB also notes that last year the number of inhabitants of all nationalities decreased, but the share of Latvians continues to grow and increased from 62.0% at the beginning of the year to 62.2% at the end of the year, Russians make up 25.2% of the population of the Baltic country, Belarusians - 3.2%, Ukrainians - 2.2%. 85.9% of Latvian residents are citizens, 11.1% are non-citizens, and 2.2% are Russian citizens. 51% of non-citizens live in Riga, and this is 17% of all residents of the capital.

Citizens during the year became 8300 or 0.6% less, villagers - 7400 or 1.2% less.

Latvia has faced a massive outflow of the population in recent years - after the country's accession to the EU, able-bodied citizens are increasingly going to work abroad, in more economically prosperous countries. The Latvian government is looking for ways to encourage citizens to return to their homeland. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is developing a special law to support the Latvian diaspora abroad.

Also, a pilot project has been launched in Latvia, which is designed to help labor emigrants return to their homeland, 425 thousand euros have been allocated for this purpose. As part of the program, in February this year, coordinators began to work in each of the regions of Latvia - their task is to establish contacts with Latvians living abroad in order to find out what needs and problems they have that prevent them from returning to their homeland. And besides, to the extent possible, to support these people. The entire project is coordinated by the Ministry of Environment and Regional Development (VARAM).

The first interviews with Latvians who have gone abroad showed that most often people are deterred from returning to Latvia by difficulties in finding a decent job, the housing issue and the issue of education for children. And for some, the language issue is also acute - many emigrants have already forgotten the Latvian language and communicate much better in English. Therefore, as a workplace, they are interested in such companies where it is necessary to work using the English language.

In the summer of 2016, a social campaign #GribuTeviAtpakaļ (“I want you back”) was launched in Latvia. Its initiators decided to appeal to the feelings of several hundred thousand compatriots who left the country with the following message: come back, we miss you! "Lenta.ru" understood how the small Baltic state, suffering from the outflow of the population, is trying to launch a remigration program.

Looking for a better life

On May 1, 2004, Latvia, along with other Baltic countries, joined the EU. According to eyewitnesses, on the eve of this date, buses with people who were ready to rush to Western Europe gathered at the border. However, the outflow of the population began much earlier: for example, the author of these lines traveled from Latvia to work in the UK back in 2001. But then it was still much more difficult: I had to get work visas, draw up a large number of different documents. After joining the EU, nothing kept the Latvians back. After all, salaries in the UK, Ireland, Scandinavia are several times higher, and a lot of labor is required there. I got on a bus or a plane - and no visas, no customs officers.

“Often people cannot find a normal job, so they leave. Many of the emigrants are under a credit noose: in the pre-crisis years, I bought an apartment, took a predatory mortgage against it, now, staying in Latvia, I am not able to pay for it - a common story. And here the salary is weekly and in any case much higher than at home, ”explains to Lente.ru the former Latvian radio host Victoria Strode, who is now applying for Irish citizenship.

Latvia gradually emptied. I could see it on the example of my native Daugavpils, the second largest city in the republic. He met the independence of the country with a densely populated (by Latvian standards, of course) - about 130 thousand people. Until the early 2000s, crowds of people walked along the central street of Rigas every evening, the windows of bars, cafes and restaurants invitingly shone on almost every corner, and you could meet acquaintances everywhere. And in 2008, everyone suddenly somehow paid attention to the fact that in the evenings it was unusually quiet on the streets, cafes and shops were closing, and young people who loved to make noise in the parks were disappearing. Further more. Now the city officially has a little more than 98 thousand people. But in reality, probably less. “There is a feeling that there are 60-70 thousand left in Daugavpils. I have no solid evidence, but there are indirect signs. So, recently, McDonald's, which opened several years ago, stopped working here due to unprofitability. Another example: the daily water consumption at the city water utility is five thousand cubic meters per day - against 30 thousand in Soviet times, ”said Mikhail Lavrenov, a local real estate appraiser, to Lente.ru.

According to official data, the country's population today is over 1.9 million (there were over 2.6 million in the Latvian SSR). In the last ten years alone, 300,000 citizens have left the country. However, there is every reason count that official statistics are not true. After all, in order to be considered living abroad, an emigrated Latvian must notify the official authorities at home. But many people ignore this procedure, because labor migrants do not benefit from it. At home, they are at best visits.

You are important to us, come back!

Demographers are sounding the alarm. Referring to Eurostat forecasts, the head of the Riga Bureau of the International Organization for Migration, Ilmars Mezhs, suggested that in sixty years a little more than a million citizens will remain in Latvia. But the trouble, according to him, is not even in the number, but in the ratio of pensioners and the able-bodied population. “According to forecasts, the skew will increase several times. Either the pension will be several times lower, or migrants will pour into Latvia. Where they will come from - the future will show,” the expert says. According to him, five or six years ago, at the peak of Latvian emigration, the country "was shell-shocked by a deafeningly severe economic crisis," and the flight then looked quite understandable. Now Latvia is nominally among the leaders of the EU in terms of economic growth, but the rate of emigration is still growing. “In 2010-2011, 30-40 thousand people left every year. We hoped that last year the outflow would decrease. But unfortunately, 2015 showed that the number of emigrants did not decrease, but increased. Basically, they leave not from Riga, but from Latgale and other remote regions,” states Mezhs.

The demographer jokingly advised the government "to intercept people right at the airport so that they do not go to Ireland, or to England there, but stay in Riga or the Riga region where there is work." The birth rate rose slightly last year, but this is not enough. “If we compare 2014 and 2015, then in 2015 Latvia has already lost 17 thousand people, in contrast to 15 thousand in 2014. And this is somehow alarming, I'm starting to get nervous. Because we associated a large outflow of the population with the crisis, and now our economy seems to be improving. And by the way, the increase in the birth rate is very insignificant,” emphasizes Mezhs. According to the expert, the trouble is that for many in today's Latvia, having children is too much of a luxury.

In recent years, the authorities have been thinking hard about how to return at least some of those who left. Recently, the head of the specially created Center for Demographic Affairs, Imants Paradnieks, put forward the idea of ​​increasing benefits for families with foster children - from the current 45 euros per month per child to 92.5 euros. This will require 4.8 million euros. About four million more are needed to increase survivors' pensions - from 43 euros to the same 92.5 euros per month. For large families, it is proposed to introduce a 25 percent discount on public transport.

The state has repeatedly tried to start the process of re-emigration of compatriots. People were lured to their homeland by promising vacancies and various socialization programs. But, as Raimonds Vējonis, the president of the state, admitted with annoyance recently, "until a large flow of returnees is seen, the general plan of the state does not work." And so, in July, the Institute of Latvia launched the “I want you back” campaign. All Latvians are invited to send video and audio messages to their departed relatives and friends with the following appeal: “You are important to us - and Latvia will always be your home!”

Director of the institute Aiva Rozenberga explained: “We, the people of Latvia, are connected in one circulatory system. And in these turbulent times, we need to take care of our own. The time has come to make it clear that we want to see our compatriots return home when they are ready.” Representatives of the public and private sectors expressed their desire to participate in the campaign. A number of enterprises offered jobs to "returnees", and the State Chancellery released a special supplement with practical advice for remigrants. In every possible way, the stories of citizens who have already returned are popularized, which they themselves tell.

Between two worlds

There are indeed precedents. So, the Latvian Edgar Kumpin left with his father for the United States back in the late 90s, when the family won a green card. There, the young man graduated from high school, and then the University of Washington, where he studied economics. After that, he enrolled in a military academy, served in the American army for four years under a contract. After completing his service as a senior lieutenant in 2013, Edgar was demobilized and returned to his homeland with his father. “Still, I’m fed up with army experience,” Kumpin admitted to Lente.ru. - Besides, suddenly I wanted to go to Latvia. People here often ask me: why did you actually come back, because most of your friends live abroad? In America, I really had everything: a good house, an expensive car, prospects. My father has a good job. But my heart, as it turned out, still belongs to the motherland. And we returned with dad.” Now Edgar Kumpin is working in his native Latgale in the diving and rescue service.

However, many are unable to make the final choice. Yuri Karshin worked in the Latvian press, then moved to England and worked at a factory there for a long time. He returned, got a job as a teacher in a district school. However, having lost his place due to the reduction in the number of students, he was again forced to leave for the UK. “Why do people go abroad en masse? In the same Latgale at the present time, not very many manage to find a highly paid job. And at some point, a person decides to leave. You quickly get used to the European level of income - and, most importantly, expenses. Nevertheless, there, in a foreign land, you are often reminded that you are just a visitor, a guest worker. As a result, a psychological moment comes when a person begins to desperately yearn for his homeland, to believe that he can find himself in his native land. Well, or he has some business at home, the degree of urgency of which everyone determines for himself. In most cases, this simply serves as an excuse to go back. But at home it is often not possible to find an equally well-paid job. So many hang out between the two worlds: they will work there, spin around here and again return to fatty foreign grubs, ”the Latvian Karshin reveals the ins and outs of re-emigration in an interview with Lenta.ru.

Last year, the Latvian Institute of Philosophy and Sociology conducted a survey among those who emigrated. It turned out that 63 percent of emigrants from Latvia still feel a strong spiritual connection with their homeland. At the same time, 30 percent of the respondents do not plan to return there under any circumstances. It is for the souls of the remaining 70 percent that the battle is now going on.