Analytics, Demography, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Society

Population and Housing Census data on emigration show that information on officially registered emigrants used before the Census is incomplete; total emigration flow estimates as well as year of the emigration often do not meet the real emigration period.

In compliance with the population estimates developed by the CSB, population of Latvia in 2011 due to the long-term migration has reduced by 23 127 residents – 7 253 persons arrived in Latvia for permanent residence or for a time period of one year or longer, while 30 380 individuals left the country with an aim to reside other country permanently or for one year or more. 28% of the population arriving in Latvia came from the European Union Member States, whereas 85% emigrated to the mentioned countries. The countries most often chosen by Latvia residents were UK, Germany, and Ireland.

Immigrants and emigrants by country groupings, 2011

55.8% of the population arriving in Latvia were women, while 44.2% were men. 1 260 children aged under 14 came to Latvia, and 74.9% of the total immigrant number were at working age (15-61).

Whereas emigration may be characterised by the fact that 82.8% of the emigrants were at working age. Moreover, it should be mentioned that 4 018 children aged under 14 have left Latvia, as well as 75.5% of female emigrants were at age of 15-49. Out of the total number of emigrants 51.7% were women and 48.3% were men.

Age specific rates of immigrants and emigrants in 2011

The compiled information shows that there were 4.6 times more emigrants at working age than immigrants at the same age.

Analysis of the migration data at regional breakdown indicates that most of the immigrants moved to the Riga region, while highest number of emigrants left from Zemgale and Riga regions – respectively, 1.61% and 1.60% of the total population in the region on 1 January 2011. Whereas highest population decrease due to the migration was recorded in Zemgale and Kurzeme regions – respectively, 1.45% and 1.29% of the total population in the region.

International long-term migration by region, 2011

The CSB of Latvia will publish migration indicators on the time period from 2000 till 2010, revised basing on the results of the Population and Housing Census 2011, in the 3^rd quarter of 2013.

¹ EFTA – European Free Trade Association. Members of the EFTA are Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Lichtenstein.
² EU candidates – Croatia, Turkey, and former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.