Latvians abroad open up about what they miss most from home
Latvians living abroad have shared on social media how much they miss their homeland. Statistics show that in 2025 more than half of people arriving in Latvia were returning emigrants, though overall more people left the country than came back.
A discussion on the social media platform Threads has prompted Latvians living abroad to share their feelings about being far from home. The conversation was started by a user named Asnāte, who lives in France and says that after every summer holiday in Latvia she feels a strong wave of nostalgia, though her career currently keeps her from moving back permanently.
Many people responded with a range of experiences. Some described intense longing for home — one woman, who has lived abroad for 17 years, said that after longer holidays in Latvia she sometimes cries into her pillow, missing family, friends and what she called the feeling of her homeland. Other women, who have lived abroad for around 16 years, said that leaving Latvia gets harder every time.
Others, however, said they don't miss Latvia much in daily life, or that a permanent return isn't something they're considering — some prefer spending summers in Latvia while continuing their everyday lives abroad. There are also those who feel equally at home both in Latvia and in their new country of residence, without feeling torn between the two.
Statistics point to a reverse trend
According to the Central Statistical Bureau, 13,800 people arrived in Latvia in 2025, while 15,100 left the country. Of those who arrived, 55.1%, or 7,600 people, were remigrants — people with ties to Latvia who returned after living abroad. However, compared to 2024, the number of remigrants fell by 2,400.
The figures suggest that emigration from Latvia is not a one-directional process — some people return after years abroad, others consider it, while many continue building their lives elsewhere while keeping close ties to their homeland through family, language and memories.
