Riga — Latvia is grappling with a pronounced gender imbalance, with women significantly outnumbering men across multiple age groups, a demographic shift driven by higher male mortality rates, lower life expectancy, and sustained outward migration of younger men.
According to data cited by Eurostat, Latvia has one of the widest gender gaps in the European Union, with women making up about 15.5 percent more of the population than men—more than three times the EU average. On January 1, 2024, the EU had approximately 229 million women and 220 million men, translating to 104.4 women per 100 men. Latvia recorded the highest ratio among EU member states.
Also read: Shandong University Master Scholarship 2026 opens for Pakistani and international students
Seniors most affected by imbalance
The disparity is particularly stark among senior citizens. A report by World Atlas notes that among those aged 65 and above, women in Latvia outnumber men by nearly two to one. Experts attribute this gap largely to poor male health outcomes and shorter life expectancy.
Men in Latvia are significantly more likely to smoke and suffer from obesity-related conditions. World Atlas data shows that 31 percent of men smoke compared to 10 percent of women, while 62 percent of men are overweight or obese, compared with 57 percent of women—factors that contribute to higher mortality rates.
Social and economic impact
The imbalance is increasingly visible in everyday life, from workplaces to social settings. Many young Latvian women report female-dominated work environments and shrinking opportunities to form long-term relationships locally, prompting some to seek partners abroad.
The demographic trend, which has developed gradually due to historical conflicts and modern economic migration, has raised concerns among experts about its long-term implications for economic productivity, family formation, and social stability.
New services emerge to fill practical gaps
As the shortage of men becomes more apparent in daily life, practical solutions have emerged. Service platforms such as Komanda24 and Remontdarbi.lv offer household assistance under concepts commonly described as “men with golden hands” or “husbands for an hour.”
These services provide on-demand help with plumbing, carpentry, appliance installation, and other domestic tasks, allowing customers—often women—to book assistance online or by phone, sometimes with arrival times within an hour. Local media report that the services are marketed strictly as professional, task-oriented solutions rather than social arrangements.
Migration options draw interest
Against this backdrop, Latvia continues to attract interest from migrants due to its cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and EU membership. Migration pathways differ depending on citizenship status.
EU and EEA citizens may live, work, or study in Latvia without a visa but must register their residence if staying longer than 90 days. Non-EU nationals are required to obtain a visa or residence permit based on employment, study, family reunification, or investment. Latvia also offers a residency-by-investment route, commonly referred to as a Golden Visa, for qualifying foreign investors.
Demographers caution that without targeted health reforms and policies to retain or attract working-age men, Latvia’s gender imbalance may continue to deepen, reshaping social and economic dynamics in the years ahead.
Today's E-Paper