Share of people aged 65 and over in Latvia rises to 22.4% — LSM English

At the beginning of 2026, Latvia had 413,000 residents aged 65 and over, accounting for 22.4% of the total population. LSM English reported this, citing data from the country’s Central Statistical Bureau.

The share of older people is increasing

Over the past ten years, the number of Latvia’s residents aged 65 and over increased by 25,000, or 6.5%. In 2016, people in this age group accounted for 19.9% of the population. The growing share of older people is influenced by longer life expectancy, declining birth rates, migration and population ageing.

In 2025, life expectancy after reaching the age of 65 was 18 years, the highest recorded figure. It was 15.3 years for men and 19.8 years for women. The share of Latvia’s population aged 65 and over is almost in line with the European Union average, which stood at 22% at the beginning of 2025.

Gender and regional distribution

Women accounted for 65.5% of Latvia’s residents aged 65 and over, while men accounted for 34.5%. According to the publication, Latvia has the largest gender imbalance among older people among EU countries due to the substantial difference in life expectancy between men and women.

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The highest share of people aged 65 and over among the regions was recorded in Latgale, at 25.3%, while the lowest was in the Riga region, at 21.2%. Among cities of national significance, the highest figures were in Ventspils, at 25.6%, and Daugavpils, at 25.5%; the lowest figure was in Jelgava, where older people accounted for 20.8% of the population. Among municipalities, the highest share was in Krāslava Municipality, at 28.6%, and the lowest was in Mārupe Municipality, at 11%.

Education after the age of 65

In 2025, 21 students aged 65 and over studied at Latvia’s vocational education institutions, including 12 women and nine men. The oldest student was 75 years old. That year, 18 older people enrolled in such institutions and ten obtained qualifications.

Higher education institutions had 50 students aged 65 and over, including 34 women. Seventeen people in this age group enrolled in universities, and 12 obtained higher education.