Kurzeme: population and official figures
Kurzeme is a planning region of Latvia, number 2 of 5 by population. The population of Kurzeme stood at 271,669 at the start of 2026 (14.7% of all Latvian residents), ranking 2nd of five regions.
271,669
€1,501
25.1%
1,460
23.9%
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Kurzeme: In 2025 the average gross wage paid in Kurzeme reached €1,501 a month, 17% below the Latvian average and 2nd lowest of 5 Latvian regions.
- Health in Kurzeme: In 2025 Kurzeme recorded 3,988 deaths, or 1,460 per 100,000 residents, 2nd highest of 5 Latvian regions.
- Education in Kurzeme: Higher education graduates made up 23.9% of the population aged 15 and over in Kurzeme at the beginning of 2025, the lowest of 5 Latvian regions; the national share was 31.4%.
- Poverty and living standards in Kurzeme: In 2024 25.1% of people in Kurzeme were at risk of poverty, 3rd highest of 5 Latvian regions, against 22.0% for Latvia.
Is the population of Kurzeme falling?
The population of Kurzeme fell by 15.3% between 2012 and 2026, from 320,746 to 271,669; over the same years the population of Latvia fell by 9.8%.
Source: Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia (CSP) · saved copyMore figures
- Natural change in Kurzeme was -2,216 people in 2025 and net migration -913, so the population changed by -3,129 during the year (average population 273,233). Source: Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia (CSP) · saved copy
Other planning regions of Latvia
- Rīga Region 847,841
- Vidzeme 271,223
- Latgale 235,172
- Zemgale 219,191
Up a level: Latvia · government and power in Latvia
Sources
- Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia (CSP): Mortality by main cause of death in statistical regions, State cities and municipalities, 2017-2025 (table NCI020), read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 f6f727f4a7ee…)
- Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia (CSP): At-risk-of-poverty rate in regions by age and sex (per cent), 2004-2024 (table NNR120), read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 589d2430325d…)
- Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia (CSP): Average monthly wages and salaries by region, 2021-2025 (table DSV041), read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 272eaacaec5c…)
- Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia (CSP): Population aged 15 and over by educational attainment, ethnicity and sex in regions and State cities at the beginning of the year (table IZT021), read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 ce78b6309527…)
- Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia (CSP): Activity rate, employment rate and unemployment rate by gender and age group in regions, State cities and municipalities at the beginning of the year (table EKA140), read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 196d2bb8534e…)
- Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia (CSP): Population at the beginning of year and population change and key vital statistics in regions, cities, towns and municipalities (table IRS031), read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 bcdcda7b1d5d…)
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