Analytics, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Society

Many respondents believe that they have no future in Latvia and that their current living conditions are unbearable. The respondents also note that wages and social guarantees are better abroad, informs LETA.

61%, however, pointed out that they do not intend to work abroad, while 7% declined to answer this question.

54% of respondents expressed their support for the people who leave Latvia in search of better jobs, 23% said that they feel sympathy for them, and only three% condemned them, the business information portal "Nozare.lv" was informed by DnB Nord Bank’s Public Relations Department's head Teika Lapsa.

79% admitted that the issue of people leaving Latvia to live and work abroad will negatively affect the country in the future. 9% said that the effects will be insignificant, whilst 6%s pointed out that the issue is exaggerated.

Ireland is still one of the most popular destinations for job seekers. Even though the level of unemployment in the country is high, 45% of respondents believe that they can earn more there. 27% believe that Ireland can provide better social guarantees than Latvia.

One-fifth of respondents have admitted that it is better to live in any other country besides Latvia. 24%, however, admit that other countries experience economic problems as well and emigration might not be the best way to improve one's finances.

The respondents mention that emigration has negative impact on many families, since they are separated and children are forced to grow up without their parents. Rural areas become empty as most of the people who leave Latvia in search for better jobs come from the countryside. The respondents also mention increasing social burden, because those who stay in Latvia must sustain the economically-inactive residents.

52% of respondents pointed out that emigration causes Latvia to lose intelligent and capable people who could have contributed to country's development.

However, some of the respondents also see a bright side to the emigration. The level of unemployment and poverty decreases, the guest workers also send money to their families in Latvia, thus improving Latvia's economy.

37% of respondents pointed out that the guest workers will learn new skills and gain knowledge which they could later use for the benefit of Latvia. 50% of respondents also noted that they know people who have gone abroad and are still living and working there. Only 29% of their relatives who were previously working and living abroad have returned to Latvia.