Asnate reflected on this on the social media platform "Threads," asking other Latvians who have built stable lives abroad whether they miss Latvia. "For Latvians who have built stable lives abroad — do you miss Latvia? I have a strong feeling of longing and nostalgia, especially after the summer vacation in Latvia, but I can't go back, my career and life are in France. I feel stuck in limbo, neither here nor there," Asnate writes. Many responded to her question, sharing both their longing for Latvia and completely opposite experiences. Kristine shares that for her, the decision has already been made: after 15 years in Norway, she returned to Latvia. "It has been less than two months since I returned to Latvia after 15 years of living in Norway. I am happy because I am home," Kristine writes. ## ## Some Miss It, Others Would Not Want to Return Ilze misses Latvia the most in the summer and at moments when she wants to be close to her loved ones, but she does not think she would want to return permanently. Another woman admits that she does not miss Latvia in her daily life at all, and she finds the attitude of people particularly unacceptable. "No, I don’t miss it at all, everyone is so unfriendly and dissatisfied because I am used to smiling and content people around me, sorry, but that’s how it is," she writes. However, there are also those who eagerly await Latvia's return. Solvita shares that she just recently returned from Latvia, where she spent six wonderful weeks with her loved ones. "I miss it very much, I just returned from Latvia, where I spent six wonderful weeks with my loved ones. I am already looking forward to the next vacation when I will go to Latvia again. The taste of Latvia is unlike the taste of any other land in the world. I am waiting for my son to finish school, then back to Latvia," she writes. Solveiga expresses her feelings about life away from Latvia particularly emotionally, having lived abroad for 17 years. "I miss it so much that sometimes I have to cry into my pillow. Especially after longer weekends. Family, friends, that vibration of roots, of my land. The depth of the soul of Latvia. And how much more in Latvia is yet to be seen, explored, and learned!? For 17 years, only such Latvian vacation flashes, quickly running around everyone — and again off, into the world." "Due to various circumstances, we choose to stay and raise our little ones in my husband's homeland. As much as I can, I do everything so that the children know and love our Latvia and speak its language. For now, that’s how it is," she adds. Ance also does not hide that she has been living away for 16 years and plans to return. "The longing is indescribable," she admits. Līga finds it increasingly difficult to leave Latvia even after almost 16 years abroad. "I have been away for almost 16 years, and each time it becomes harder to leave Latvia. Tears and heaviness inside linger for a long time afterward. It is hard to gather myself and continue living abroad, it feels like my heart and well-being are in Latvia," she writes. ## ## Not Everyone Leaves to Stay Although leaving Latvia has been a significant part of the population changes for many years, recent data shows an opposite trend — people are returning to Latvia. According to the Central Statistical Bureau, in 2025, 13,800 people arrived in Latvia, while 15,100 left the country. Of all the arrivals, 7,600, or 55.1%, were re-emigrants — citizens and non-citizens of Latvia, as well as people of other nationalities born in Latvia. This means that more than half of those who arrived in Latvia in 2025 had a close connection to Latvia and returned to the country after living abroad. At the same time, the number of re-emigrants decreased by 2,400 compared to 2024. Thus, even today, the story of departure is not only about people who have left Latvia forever. Some return after years, while others are still only thinking about returning, although they are still held abroad by work, family, children's school, or an already established life. However, not everyone’s life abroad means a continuous struggle between two places. Agrita shares that she has managed to find a balance and feel at home both in Latvia and in Sweden. "I somehow got very lucky, but when I am in Latvia, I like it so much that I don’t want to go back to Sweden, and when I am in Sweden, I like it so much that I have no desire to go anywhere else. I feel very good in both places, and both have a sense of home."
