Of the 48 applicants for citizenship (plus 2 dependant minors), 62% are ethnic Russians, 10% Ukrainian, and 6% Belarusian, while ethnic Lithuanians, Poles and other nationalities are also represented.
148,389 persons have now been admitted to Latvian citizenship by naturalization since 1995. In 2019 some 808 people naturalized, in 2020 the figure was 725 and in 2021 it was 419, with restrictions relating to the Covid-19 pandemic appearing to complicate the process of in-person examinations.
In order to become a Latvian citizen by naturalization, a person must confirm their basic proficiency in the Latvian language, as well as successfully pass an examination of the basic provisions of the constitution, the text of the national anthem and knowledge of Latvian history.
Citizenship can also be bestowed by special ruling of the Saeima for "special merit", which sidesteps the requirements for the language and other tests. However, this is a fairly rare occurence.
