Latvia continues to experience a steady natural decrease in population. According to the Central Statistical Bureau, just over 5,500 children were born in the country in the first six months of the year, while the number of deaths exceeded 13,000. As a result, the natural decrease in population amounted to nearly 8,000 people, reports [TV3 News](https://tv3.lv/zinas/latvija/sabiedriba/demografs-latvija-gimenem-joprojam-valda-princips-tavi-berni-tavas-problemas/). At the same time, the number of marriages continues to decline. In the first half of the year, just over 3,700 marriages were registered — almost 9% less than in the same period last year. The total population of the country had decreased to just over 1.8 million people by the beginning of July. Demographer Ilmārs Mežs believes that these figures reflect the lack of a consistent state policy in the field of demographics. > “If demographics do not become a priority for politicians and society, we will continue to slowly slide into emptiness. Today, the system is largely arranged in such a way that the number of children in a family does not matter. As a result, the principle is: 'your children — your problems,'” said Mežs. In his opinion, the state pays insufficient attention to supporting families with children. He noted that Latvia still lags behind the average level of European countries in terms of family support, when comparing the share of budget expenditures. As an example, the demographer cited Estonia. > “If Estonia can allocate about twice as much funding to families, then the problem is not with the capabilities, but with political will,” Mežs believes. The Ministry of Welfare, in turn, reminds that this year, child birth and childcare benefits have already been increased. In addition, changes to the parental benefit system are being prepared, and additional measures to support families are being considered, including assistance with housing costs after the birth of a child. Linda Liepa, Deputy Director of the Department of Child and Family Policy, notes that the decline in birth rates cannot be explained by any one reason. > “Currently, the generation born in the 1990s, when birth rates were particularly low, has entered childbearing age. Therefore, even if the previous level of births per woman is maintained, the total number of newborns will be lower. In demographics, there is no solution that could quickly change the situation,” she explained. The reduction in the number of births and the increase in the proportion of elderly people mean that the burden on the working population will increase. This directly affects the sustainability of the pension system, healthcare, and the social sphere. So far, statistics show that the demographic decline in Latvia remains not a one-time phenomenon, but a long-term trend.
