Latvia: immigration

What is the population of Latvia?

Latvia had a population of 1,845 thousand at the start of 2026, 15.5 thousand or 0.83% fewer than a year earlier, according to the Central Statistical Bureau. Natural change, with more deaths than births, cut the population by 14.2 thousand, and net emigration by 1.3 thousand.

People aged 65 and over made up 22.4% of the population, and children aged 14 and under 14.8%. Since 2025 the CSB estimates the population from signs of activity in administrative registers, so figures before and after the change are not fully comparable.

Official sources: CSB: Latvia has a population of 1.845 million

How many people emigrate from and immigrate to Latvia?

13,826 people moved to Latvia for the long term in 2025 and 15,117 left, giving net migration of minus 1,291, according to CSB table IBE010. In 2024 there were 14,701 immigrants and 18,937 emigrants, a net loss of 4,236.

Long-term migration means a change of usual residence for at least a year. Many immigrants are returning Latvian citizens, which the CSB shows in its tables by citizenship and in a separate series on return migrants.

Official sources: CSB table IBE010: Long-term international migration

How many people apply for asylum in Latvia?

1,290 people applied for asylum in Latvia for the first time in 2025, up from 800 in 2024, according to Eurostat asylum statistics. Across the EU there were 672,350 first-time applicants in 2025.

Applications are made to the State Border Guard and decided by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. The CSB publishes monthly first-time applicants by citizenship in its asylum tables. Figures are rounded to the nearest five, and a first-time application does not mean that protection was granted.

Official sources: Eurostat: Asylum applicants, annual data

How many residence permits does Latvia issue?

Latvia issued 9,073 first residence permits to non-EU citizens in 2025, about the same as the 9,027 issued in 2024, according to Eurostat. In 2024, 1,056 people acquired Latvian citizenship, according to Eurostat's citizenship data.

First permits cover work, family, study and other reasons and are issued by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. Renewals are not included. Citizenship acquisitions include naturalisation and other routes.

Official sources: Eurostat: First permits by reason · Eurostat: Acquisition of citizenship

How many foreign-born people live in Latvia?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2024, is 11.8%. It was 13.4% in 2015. It is 26th highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 11.7%. World rank, highest first: 55th of 193.

Are more people leaving Latvia than arriving?

According to the UN Population Division, net migration in Latvia was -7,330 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 22,027; its low point was 2010, at -36,128. It is 35th highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 158. World rank, highest first: 123rd of 193.

How many refugees are in Latvia?

According to UNHCR, the number of refugees in the country in Latvia was 32,454 in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 10 (2005) to 49,220 (2024). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 62,365, and Latvia placed 31st highest of 50. Worldwide: 74th of 169.

How many refugees have fled Latvia?

189: that is the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Latvia for 2025, according to UNHCR. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 2,428; its low point was 2022, at 112. It is 29th highest of 49 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 533. Of 189 countries with 2025 data, 136th highest.

How big are remittances in Latvia's economy?

The World Bank puts personal remittances received in Latvia at 3.0% of GDP in 2025. The peak was 6.2% of GDP in 2009 and the low 1.9% of GDP in 2007. It is 12th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 1.4% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 51st of 127.