Demographics of Latvia
Latvia was ruled by the German knights from the early 13th century until 1561, when they chose to become Polish vassals to protect them against Russian and Swedish aggression. In 1629 Latvian Livonia was taken by the Swedes until 1721, when the Russians took over. Southern Latvia remained under the Polish Crown until 1795.
Historically, Latvia has had significant German, Russian, Jewish and Polish minorities. In 1897, the first official census in this area indicated that Latvians formed 68.3 % of the total population of 1.93 million; Russians accounted for 12%, Jews for 7.4 %, Germans for 6.2 %, and Poles for 3.4 %. The remainder were Lithuanians, Estonians, Gypsies, and various other nationalities.
The demographics shifted dramatically in the 20th century due to the world wars, the repatriation of the Baltic Germans, the Holocaust, and occupation by the Soviet Union. Today, only the Russian minority, which has tripled in numbers since 1935, remains important. The share of ethnic Latvians fell from 77% (1,467,035) in 1935 to 52% (1,387,757) in 1989.
In 2005, there were even fewer Latvians than in 1989, though their share of the population was larger - 1,357,099 (58.8% of the inhabitants). People who arrived in Latvia during the Soviet era, and their descendants born before 1991, must be naturalized to receive Latvian citizenship. Children born to residents after the restoration of independence in 1991 automatically receive citizenship. However, if both parents are "stateless," then the parents must take the extra step of choosing Latvian citizenship for their child—who is automatically entitled, but for whom citizenship is not automatic (neither granted nor imposed).
Over 100,000 persons have been naturalized as Latvian citizens in recent years, but 392 816 persons (278 213 of them ethnic Russians) live in Latvia with aliens' passports.
Latvians and Livonians, the indigenous peoples of Latvia, are now less than 60% of the population. Livonians are the other indigenous ethnic group, with about 100 of them remaining. Some Latgalians consider themselves as a group separate from Latvians but the predominant view is that Latgallians are a distinctive subgroup of Latvians.
Statistical indicators
Demographics of Latvia, Data of FAO, year 2005 ; Number of inhabitants in thousands.
The following data are estimates by July, 2004, obtained from the CIA World Factbook.
Population: 2,306,306
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15% (male 177,223; female 169,241)
15-64 years: 69% (male 772,496; female 823,410)
65 years and over: 16% (male 118,035; female 245,901) (2004 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.67% (2006 est.)
Birth rate: 8.9 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate: 13.7 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female
total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 9.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.86 years
male: 65.91 years
female: 76.08 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.25 children born/woman (2004 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Latvian(s) (archaic: Lett(s)) adjective: Latvian (archaic: Lettish)
Ethnic groups: Latvians 58.9%, Russians 29.6%, Belarusians 4.1%, Ukrainians 2.7%, Poles 2.5%, Lithuanians 1.4%, other 0.8% (2005)
Religions: Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
Languages: Latvian (official), Russian, Polish, Estonian, Belarusian, Ukrainian, Lithuanian
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.8%
male: 99.8%
female: 99.8% (2004 est.)
