Low Birth Rate – Main Threat to Latvia’s Future

Low Birth Rate – Main Threat to Latvia’s Future

Ilmārs Mežs If in the previous century the main threats to Latvia were wars and repressions by the occupation powers, then after regaining independence the main threat has become low birth rate. For the entire 20th century Latvian birth rate was critically low, and the total number of Latvians has not doubled, as was the case for the neighbouring nations, but even decreased. This year (2010) the birth rate for Latvians has dropped even more – reaching one of the lowest levels in the world. Unless the current birth rate increases considerably, the number of Latvians will drop by 20-30% during each generation. If Latvians are unable to change their demographic behaviour, then inevitably by the end of the 21st century they will become a small minority in Latvia, and the preservation of their language and culture will be practically impossible.