Analytics, Demography, Latvia, Society

The number of population due to natural movement (the number of deaths exceeding births) decreased by 5.6 thousand and due to the fact that emigration is prevailing on immigration – by 4.9 thousand persons. Population reduction rate during the last years has become slower, but in 2009 this indicator grew – 0.57%, if compared to 0.42% in 2008.

Key demographic indicators

Since 2002 in Latvia a trend of the number of marriages to increase was observed, and in 2007 15486 marriages were concluded, and it was the highest number since 1993. During the last two years the number of marriages diminished. In 2009 3000 marriages or 23% less than in 2008 were registered, but in the first half of 2010 2876 marriages were concluded, and it is 716 marriages less than in the first six months of 2009. Compared to the first half of 2009 the number of marriages has diminished by 20%.

Already for several years small birthincrease tendency is observed in Latvia. In 2008 country witnessed the highest birth rates since 1994 – 23948 children were born. But in 2009 2.3 thousand children less than in 2008 were born, and also the number of children born in first six months of this year (9630) is 1500 children or 13.4% less than in the first half of 2009.

Number of marriages and births in 2008, 2009 and 1st half of 2010 in breakdown by months

Death rates during the last years have changed rather insignificantly. In 2009 29.9 thousand persons died, and it is 1.1 thousand deaths less than in 2008. Also in six months of this year the number of deaths continued to decrease and reached 15.3 thousand (15.4 thousand in the first half of 2009). Number of deaths per 1000 population comprises the same level as in previous year.

On July 1 Riga population comprised 702.7 thousand persons – 3.7 thousand persons or 0.5 % less than at the beginning of the year. The number of population due to natural movement (the number of deaths exceeding births) decreased by 1.4 thousand and due to the fact that emigration is prevailing on immigration – reduced by 2.3 thousand persons.