Analytics, Demography, EU – Baltic States, Latvia

Long-term migrants, according to the ANO Recommendations, are persons arriving in a country or administrative territory with purpose to stay for a permanent residence, or to stay for at least one year, or are leaving it to go to other permanent residence.

According to the data of the CSB, previous year in Latvia due to the long-term migration the population reduced by 4700 persons, and that is more than in 2008, when the population of Latvia because of this factor decreased by 2542 persons.

In 2009, 2688 persons from 71 country arrived for the residence in Latvia (22.4% less compared to 2008), but 7388 persons departed for permanent residence in 92 countries (23.0% more than in 2008). In 2009 share of European Union Member States in international migration comprised 54.9% (in 2008 – 66.3%), but in emigration – 55.7% (in 2008 – 57.0%), according to statistical data.

Population international long-term migration in 2000 – 2009 (number of persons)

Immigration and emigration by country in 2009 (countries are listed by the migration turnover)

Compared to 2008 emigration of our citizens to United Kingdom last year has grown 2.0 times, to Russia – 1.3 times, to Germany – 1.2 times, and emigration to Ireland reduced 2.1 times.

Out of international emigrants in 2009 53.0% persons had Latvian citizenship, share of Latvia non-citizens – 13.5%, citizenship of other EU countries – 10.6%, of other countries – 22.9% (of which Russian citizenship – 48.6%). Out of immigrants 19.4 % persons had Latvian citizenship, share of Latvia non-citizens – 0.2 %, citizenship of other EU countries – 40.4 %, of other countries – 40.0 % (of which Russian citizenship – 66.0%).

In 2009 immigrants were mainly men – 54.6%, but majority of emigrants – 51.1% – were women.

Age specific rates of immigrants and emigrants in 2009 (as % of total number)

As it can be concluded form the table data, the share of children in the immigration is higher than the one in emigration. But there are 14.1 percentage points more emigrants than immigrants among the population at working age. Also among the population at retirement age the share of immigrants is higher then one among emigrants.

In 2009 as the result of the population international migration the ethnic composition of the Latvia population has changed. The number of Latvians in the country has reduced by 1950 persons, number of Russians – by 1826, of Ukrainians – by 348, of Belarussians – by 181 person. But due to the migration the number of Romanians in the country has increased by 60 persons, of Swedes – by 47, of Germans – by 40 persons.

When analyzing the data of 2009 on marital status of international migrants, it can be seen that, the highest share among both immigrants and emigrants is of single, respectively 48.5 % and 48.2 %. The share of married persons among immigrants was 36.1 %, but among emigrants – 36.4 %.

Territorial breakdown of migration show that Riga is not only attractive final destination of immigrants of Latvia, but it also is significant for total emigration. In 2009 53.9% of international long-term migrants chose Riga as their place of residence. Riga residents comprised 45.5% of total number of international emigrants. 12.4% of migrants decided to reside Pieriga region, but 14.5% of total number of emigrants departed from this region, but in Kurzeme region – 15.4% and 12.7%, respectively.

When analysing internal population migration in Latvia, it may be concluded that in 2009 39.9 thousand persons changed their permanent residence from one administrative territory to other, and it is 9.6 thousand persons less than in 2008. Rather explicit trend of internal migration is to move for life to the capital and Pieriga region – in 2009 7.9 thousand persons arrived for residence to Riga, 13.1 thousand persons – to Pieriga statistical region. Also trend when Riga residents are moving to Pieriga region still may be observed (in 2009 – 7.5 thousand persons). Total internal population net migration in 2009 was positive in Pieriga statistical region and cities under state jurisdiction – Jūrmala (450 persons), Ventspils (42) and Jēkabpils (32).