Latvia records 7,837 more deaths than births in first half of 2026
Latvia registered 5,547 newborns and 13,384 deaths in the first six months of this year, according to preliminary Central Statistical Bureau data. The population continues to shrink, with 1.832 million residents recorded as of July 1.
Latvia's population continues to decline as deaths keep far outnumbering births. According to preliminary data from the Central Statistical Bureau, 5,547 newborns were registered in the country during the first half of this year, while the number of deaths was more than twice as high, at 13,384. This means deaths exceeded births by 7,837.
Births continue to fall
Among the newborns, 2,827 were boys — down 6.8%, or 206, compared with the same period last year — and 2,720 were girls, a decrease of 2%, or 56. In June alone, 958 newborns were registered, down 4.6%, or 46, from the same month a year earlier, including 504 boys and 454 girls.
Deaths rise slightly
In the first six months, 13,384 deaths were recorded — up 1.1%, or 142, from the same period last year, when 13,242 deaths were registered. By comparison, last year deaths exceeded births by 7,433 over the equivalent period, meaning this year's gap has widened slightly further.
Fewer marriages
The number of marriages also declined: 3,733 marriages were registered in the first half of the year, down 8.9%, or 364, from the same period last year.
As of July 1 this year, Latvia's preliminary population stood at 1.832 million.
