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In line with the Population and Housing Census 2011 methodology, 0.1% of the dwelling inhabitants were excluded from the Census*.

327 379 dwellings were counted up in Riga; 83.1% of them were occupied, while 16.8% – unoccupied. Whereas other regions indicate following numbers: Pierīga – 181 587 dwellings (73.6% occupied and 26.3% unoccupied), Vidzeme region – 99 437 (79% and 20.9%), Kurzeme region – 136 492 (78.7% and 21.3%), Zemgale region – 118 278 (80.3% and 19.7%), and Latgale region – 162 060 (76.5% and 23.4%), respectively. The share of dwellings, residents of which were excluded from the Census, in all regions does not exceed 0.1%.

Dwellings by occupancy status in Latvia as a whole and in statistical regions; on 1 March 2011

Population and Housing Census 2011 helped acquiring statistics on population number by the housing arrangements thereof.98.6% of the total Latvia population are living in conventional dwellings (apartment or individual house), 1.2% – in collective living quarters, 0.1% – in other housing units (e.g., trailer, shed or barn), and 0.1% of the residents have no housing (homeless people). In 2011, homeless persons were registered only in night shelters.

98.5% of the Riga residents are living in conventional dwellings, 0.1% – in other housing units, 1.1% – in collective living quarters, and 0.3% did not have housing. 98.9% of Pierīga region population are residing conventional dwellings, 0.3% – other housing units, and 0.8% – collective living quarters.

98.3% of the country residents in Vidzeme region are living in conventional dwellings, 0.2% – in other housing units, and 1.5% – in collective living quarters. While in Kurzeme region: 98.9% are residing conventional dwellings, 0.2% – other housing units, and 0.9% – collective living quarters; in Zemgale region: 98.1% are living in conventional dwellings, 0.2% – in other housing units, 1.6% – in collective living quarters, and 0.1% did not have housing; and in Latgale region: 98.5% – in conventional dwellings, 0.1% – in other housing units, 1.3% – in collective living quarters, and 0.1% did not have housing.

Population by housing arrangements in Latvia as a whole and in statistical regions; 2011

Data were acquired also on the type of conventional buildings. During the last 10 years, construction of individual houses (including semi-detached and row houses as well as two-dwelling buildings) has increased and comprises 44.9% of the total number of buildings erected. Results of the Population and Housing Census 2011 indicate that the share of such housings in Latvia comprised 29.1%, while share of dwellings located in apartment houses constituted 69.3%.

Conventional dwellings in Latvia by type of building; 2011

Programme of the Population and Housing Census covered 10 questions on population housing; as a result, information was acquired on the dwelling occupancy status, housing arrangements, year when the building was erected, type of the building, heating type, facilities available in the dwelling, floor space and type of housing ownership. In the Population and Housing Census 2011, all dwellings were surveyed, as opposed to the Census 2000, in which only occupied dwellings were counted.

More information on population housing is available in the CSB database.

* Dwellings residents of which were excluded from the Census – foreign military and sea forces, consular personnel as well as family members thereof, foreign civilians in temporary work (for less than 12 months) and family members thereof, and tourists