At the beginning of this year, 334,000 children under the age of 17 were living in Latvia, constituting 18.5% of the total population, according to demographic data. Regional figures show significant concentration differences, with the Marupe region recording the largest share of children at 29.2%, followed by the Adazi region at 24.8% and the Kekava region at 24.4%. Conversely, the lowest shares were reported in the Latgale region at 15.5%, including the Kraslava region at 12.1%, the Augsdaugava region at 13.1%, and the Ludza region at 13.9%. In the capital’s population, children accounted for 17% of the population. Overall, the total number of children in the country decreased by 9,200, or 2.7%, since the previous year.
Educational Enrollment and Graduation Trends
School enrollment figures for the 2025/2026 academic year show that preschool programs were attended by 86,300 children, marking a 4.5% decrease compared to the prior school year. Basic school programs served 183,700 students, while secondary school programs accounted for 40,600 students, according to official educational data. Educational progression milestones from 2025 indicate that 20,300 children graduated from basic school. Of those basic school graduates, 60.1% chose to continue their education in secondary school, and 33.3% enrolled in vocational educational institutions. Among the 11,900 students who graduated from secondary school the same year, 56.2% transitioned to universities and colleges, 2.4% entered vocational educational institutions, and 41.4% did not continue their formal education.
Did You Know? Among 13-year-old children in Latvia, the average duration of an employment contract was 17 days, whereas 17-year-olds held contracts with an average duration of 53 days, according to State Revenue Service data.
Youth Health and Medical Utilization Rates
Health self-assessments among young people remained largely positive last year, with 88.2% rating their health as good or very good. Another 9.6% described their health as average, while 2.2% rated it as poor or very poor. At the same time, 7.9% of young people reported living with daily life limitations stemming from health problems, 5.1% indicated difficulties with vision, and 4.8% experienced challenges related to prolonged concentration or memory. Data from a Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) survey reveal an upward trend in medical consultations. In 2025, 74.5% of young people reported visiting a family doctor at least once over the preceding 12 months, marking a 13.2 percentage point increase compared to the 2022 survey figure of 61.3%. Additionally, 45.8% had visited other medical specialists at least once, up from 27.5% in 2022, and 62.5% had seen dentists, orthodontists, and hygienists, compared to 58.4% in 2022.
Disability Registrations Among Minors
Official figures show that 10,005 children under the age of 17 held a registered disability status in 2025. This total represents a 14.4% increase compared to 2021, when 8,746 children with disabilities were registered. Furthermore, 1,301 children were assigned a disability status for the first time in 2025, compared to 969 first-time registrations in 2021. The vast majority of these newly assigned cases were linked to mental and behavioral disorders, accounting for 746 children in 2025, up from 369 children in 2021.
Teen Employment and Summer Programs
Youth workforce participation data for 2024 from the State Revenue Service indicate that 19.4%, or nearly every fifth child aged 13 to 17, received a salary. Geographic distribution of working youth varied, with the highest shares recorded in Latgale at 21.9% and Kurzeme at 20.5%, and the lowest share registered in Riga at 7.3%. Structured support for young workers also expanded through the State Employment Agency, which organized summer employment programs that drew 11,127 participating children last year. This participation figure represents a 6.9% increase from the prior year, comprising 55.9% girls and 44.1% boys.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the total population of children in Latvia at the beginning of the year?
There were 334,000 children under the age of 17 living in Latvia, representing 18.5% of the total population.
How did preschool enrollment change for the 2025/2026 school year?
Preschool education programs were attended by 86,300 children, reflecting a 4.5% decrease compared to the previous school year.
What percentage of young people visited a family doctor in 2025?
According to CSB survey data, 74.5% of young people reported visiting a family doctor at least once in the past 12 months.
How do demographic shifts in regional child populations influence local educational planning and infrastructure budgets across Latvia?