Between 2015 and 2016 the population of Latvia fell by 18 800 to 1.95 million, mainly because of emigration. Official statistics from the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia indicated that outflows (20 600) exceeded inflows (8 300) resulting in a net outflow of 12 200 in 2016. Latvian nationals accounted for 58.7% of total inflows and 80.8% of total outflows. The non-Latvian population numbered 279 500 at the beginning of 2017, equivalent to 14.3% of the total population. The 222 900 non-citizens of Latvia, mainly longstanding residents from other parts of the former Soviet Union, comprised 80% of the non-Latvian and 11.4% of the total population. Russian nationals (42 200) were the largest group of non-Latvian residents, although their number fell slightly since 2016.
The stock of persons holding valid residence permits has gradually increased to 90 400 by the end of 2016 (84 600 in 2015), after a similar increase in 2014. Of these, 52 200 held permanent residence permits and 38 200 held temporary residence permits, a 4% total increase on the previous year. Most of the increase in 2016 was in the number of temporary residents. In 2016, 81% of permanent residence permits holders were Russian nationals. Among temporary residence permit holders the proportion of Russian nationals was 34%, down from 37% the previous year. EU/EFTA nationals accounted for 31% of temporary residence permit holders and 8% of permanent residence permit holders.
Issue of permanent residence has been declining. In 2016, the number of persons who received permanent residence permits was 1 250, down from 2 050 in 2015 and 3 100 in 2014. Temporary residence permits fell by 9%, to 6 600, after a 31% decline in 2015. A large part of the decline was due to fewer initial temporary residence permits issued to investors and their families, a decrease of 53% to 650 from1 350 in 2015 (down from 5 600 in 2014). The decline in investor permits is owed to the September 2014 increase in the real estate investment threshold for these permits. Labour migrants and their families comprised 37% of all issued initial temporary residence permits (2 700 permits in 2016, including 2 100 principal applicants and 600 dependants). Some 16% of the labour migrants were highly skilled workers and their family members.
International student enrolment is increasing. In the academic year 2016/17, 7 900 international students were registered in higher education establishments in Latvia, 27% more than in 2015/16, which in turn had seen a 23% increase from the previous year. In 2016, 1 700 temporary residence permits were issued to students, 6% more than in 2015. The largest proportions of students were from India (24%), Uzbekistan (18%) and 27% were from EU/EFTA countries.
In 2016, 1 000 persons (including 50 children who were naturalized together with their parents) received Latvian citizenship through naturalisation, over 90% of whom were Latvian non-citizens.
The number of asylum seekers rose from 330 in 2015 to 350 in 2016. Syria (150) and Afghanistan (35) were the main countries of origin. International protection status was given in 52% of decisions. This was more than in 2015, when the figure was 12%, owing to relocated asylum seekers. Latvia relocated 350 asylum seekers from other EU countries (through 30 September 2017) and resettled 20 from Turkey.
In 2016, 370 third-country nationals were detained for illegal crossing of the border.
Several legislative changes were made in 2016/17, related to EU Directives and their transposition. From 2 March 2017, the right to employment was extended to family members of third-country nationals who can work in Latvia. Additionally, children of third-country nationals who received their first permit as minors may enjoy family reunification upon reaching majority. The EU Directive on intra-corporate transferees was transposed (with a minimum monthly salary of about EUR 900), as was the Directive on seasonal workers. Eligibility for the EU Blue Card was expanded, with a lower salary threshold and the possibility for prior experience to count instead of a higher education degree. Processing time was accelerated. In addition, a new permit category was created for start-up entrepreneurs (linked to a separate Start-Up Activity Support Law), who may receive a permit valid for up to three years if there are plans to create or develop innovative products in Latvia. No permits have yet been issued under this new category which came into force on 2 March 2017.
