Of that number, children (people aged 17 and under) accounted for 361 thousand or 19.2 %. The number of children has grown by 9.1 thousand or 2.6 % since the beginning of 2016.
"The increase in the children population was facilitated by slightly higher birth number during the period from 2013 to 2016 as well as accepted Ukrainian refugees having children. Out of all children, 94.8 % were born in Latvia, followed by 2.1 % born in Ukraine, 1.2 % in the United Kingdom, and 0.3 % in Ireland and Russia," said the CSB.
In terms of administrative breakdown, at the beginning of 2023 the largest share of children was recorded in Pierīga – the area immediately around the capital – (22.3 %) and the smallest in Latgale region (16.6 %). In municipalities it varied between 13.8 % in Krāslava and 30.8 % in Mārupe, a popular suburb for young families.
Child population at the beginning of 2023 (per cent)
State Social Insurance Agency data show that in 2022 the State family allowance was paid for 353 thousand children, and, due to changes in the conditions for granting it, the amount to be paid per child increased from EUR 28.68 in 2021 to EUR 79.05 in 2022. State family allowance was paid for 265 thousand children aged 14 and under (75.1 %) and for 88 thousand children aged 15–19 (incl.) (24.9 %).
More information about children population of Latvia is available in the collection of statistics Children in Latvia 2023. It provides statistics for children births and deaths, age composition, health status, education, social protection, use of information technologies, violence against children, and children in conflict with the law.
