Last year, 11,861 people took the official language test. Half, or 54.4% of all takers, were aged between 66 and 74, while 44.3% were aged between 30 and 65. 1% of sorters were over 75, while 0.3% were between 16 and 29.
The test has mostly been passed by Russian citizens in age groups 16 to 29 and 30 to 65 - 59% and 61%, respectively. In the age group 66 to 74, almost half, or 49%, passed the test.
Meanwhile, only 18% of those over 75 have been able to pass the official language test. It should be noted that those over 75 did not have to take the test, but some chose to do so voluntarily.
In 2023, of the 17,865 Russian citizens who were due to pass a national language test, 12,780 registered for it. 919, or 7% of those registered, did not attend.
39%, or 4,633 persons, passed the test with the first attempt. 51%, or 6,022 persons, took the test twice, while 2%, or 232 Russian citizens, took the test three and four times. Regardless of how many times they took the test, 46% or 5,494 persons failed.
At the end of 2023 and earlier this year, Russian citizens continued to register for tests in January and February. So far 130 people have registered. At the same time, according to the information at the disposal of the VISC, many Russian citizens are currently taking official language courses to take the official language test after they have finished.
Permanent residency permits issued to Russian citizens expired in September 2023. To live in Latvia, they had to apply for the status of long-term resident of the European Union, but to receive it they had to obtain a certification regarding knowledge of the official language at level A2.
