Analytics, Demography, Latvia, Society

Social inequality was mentioned as a significant problem by 42%, labor shortage by 40%, and poor economic situation by 39% of respondents.

In opinion of 31%, large number of immigrants would become a major problem for Latvia over the next five years.

High unemployment was mentioned by 27%, tough economic competition with other countries by 18%, differences between ethnic groups by 10%, geopolitical tensions by 8% and environmental problems by 4%.

The respondents were asked to name three biggest problems that Latvia was likely to face in the next five years.

Compared to a similar poll in January 2015, the number of respondents worrying about population ageing, poor economic situation and large numbers of immigrants has increased this year but fewer respondents think that unemployment, economic competition with other countries, differences between ethnic groups and geopolitical tensions would be among Latvia’s biggest problems in five years.

The latest poll was carried out by SKDS pollster among 1,005 residents of Latvia aged 18-74 years between May 21 and June 1.

Baltic International Bank Latvia Barometer is a survey of the public sentiment in Latvia about different social, economic and other matters.

Barometer surveys had been conducted monthly since 2008 by DNB Banka, but recently the bank decided to stop the surveys because of minimum changes in public sentiment over the last four years which can be explained with continued moderate growth in the Latvian economy.

Now Baltic International Bank has decided to support monthly Barometer surveys, believing that this unique survey should continue.