History
In 1940, following the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, Latvia was incorporated into the Soviet Union. This period saw significant upheavals, including mass deportations of Latvians to Siberia and other remote regions. Between 1940 and 1941, approximately 16,563 individuals were deported. After World War II, from 1945 to 1949, an additional 43,904 people were forcibly expelled. These actions were part of the Soviet regime's efforts to suppress potential opposition and reshape the demographic landscape. [3]
Soviet post-war industrialization and influx of immigrants
The most substantial immigration to Latvia occurred during the post-World War II era, particularly from the mid-1940s through the 1980s. The Soviet government initiated extensive industrialization projects in Latvia, establishing factories and industrial complexes that required a large workforce. To meet this demand, workers from various Soviet republics, especially Russia, were relocated to Latvia. This influx significantly altered the country's demographic composition. From 1959 to 1968, nearly 130,000 Russian speakers immigrated to Latvia, primarily to work in large industrial factories. These immigrants often received priority in housing, leading to the rapid construction of new residential areas. By 1959, about 400,000 Russian settlers had arrived, reducing the ethnic Latvian population to 62%. [3]
This trend continued, and by 1989, ethnic Latvians comprised approximately 52% of the population, down from 77% before the war. [3]
Demographic impact
The continuous influx of immigrants from other Soviet republics led to a significant demographic shift. While the overall population of Latvia increased, the proportion of ethnic Latvians decreased markedly. This shift was a result of both the arrival of new residents and the earlier deportations and emigration of Latvians during and after the war. The Soviet-era settlement policies were driven by economic objectives, aiming to provide labor for industrial enterprises, and political motives, seeking to integrate Latvia more closely into the Soviet system by altering its ethnic composition. [4] [1]
After independence restoration
Since the collapse of the USSR in 1991, Latvia's population has significantly decreased, dropping from 2,658,161 to around 1,862,700 by 2025, a decline of approximately 30%. This trend is attributed to both natural decrease, with births consistently lower than deaths, and substantial emigration, particularly after joining the EU in 2004, which saw many young people seeking better opportunities abroad. [5]
Migration data indicates Latvia experienced net emigration for most years post-1991, with negative net migration rates reflecting more people leaving than arriving. However, in 2022, a positive net migration of 18,800 was recorded, largely due to the arrival of 23,500 Ukrainian refugees following regional conflicts. This shift highlights the impact of geopolitical events on migration patterns. [5]
Foreign students
Since around 2014, Latvia has seen a notable increase in foreign students, with numbers growing from about 1,500 before 2013 to over 8,000 by 2020, and continuing to rise. [7] Popular programs include medicine, business, and IT, contributing economically with an estimated €148 million annually to the national budget. This trend is unexpected given the overall population decline, offering a counterbalance to demographic challenges. [5] [8] [9] [6]
The composition of foreign students in Latvia shows a diverse range of origins, with a significant portion from non-EU countries, particularly India and Uzbekistan. [10] [11] [12] [13] [6] [14]
The majority of mobile students in Latvia attend either Rīga Stradiņš University or Riga Technical University, with a combined 52.1% of students, others include Turība University. [10]
