Latvian as foreign language known by 89 % of inhabitants

Results of Adult Education Survey 2022 compiled by the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia show that 89.3 % of the population aged 25–64, apart from their mother tongue¹, speak or understand Latvian (even if just a little).

When asked about languages known other than mother tongue, respondents were also requested to rate their language proficiency skills² from hardly any language skills to a proficient user. Among those using Latvian as the first best-known foreign language, 35.7 % mentioned that are proficient users (i.e., can express themselves fluently and spontaneously), 35.8 % were independent users (i.e., can deal with most situations, enter unprepared into conversation on familiar topics), 24.3 % were basic users (i.e., can interact in a simple way), and 4.4 % had hardly any language skills (i.e., can only understand and use a few words and phrases).

In terms of regional breakdown, the largest share of people reporting Latvian among foreign languages known was registered in Kurzeme and Riga – 93.0 % and 92.1 %, respectively, whereas the smallest  in Latgale – 82.1 %. In Vidzeme those were 90.2 %, in Zemgale 90.1 %, and in Pierīga 88.4 %.

As regards age, Latvian apart from the mother tongue is known by 93.4 % of people aged 25–34 and 92.4 % of people aged 18–24. The smallest share of such people – 81.4 % – was observed in the age group 65–69.

As regards other foreign languages spoken or understood (even if just a little), Russian (91.3 %) and English (64.0 %) were the most common. In addition, the share of people using English has grown by 6.8 percentage points since 2016. In terms of data breakdown by gender, foreign language skills are very similar among both men and women.

Two thirds (64 %) of those knowing Russian as the first best-known foreign language assess their knowledge to be at an advanced level, 29 % at intermediate level, 6 % at beginner level, and 0.6 % have hardly any language skills.

Among those speaking English as the first best-known foreign language, almost a half (46 %) rate their knowledge to be at advanced level, followed by 40 % at intermediate level, 12 % at beginner level, and 3 % have hardly any language skills.

As regards people knowing German as the first-best known foreign language, a quarter (25 %) give advanced level rating, a third (34 %) intermediate level, 22 % beginner level, and 19 % have hardly any language skills.

Level of the first best-known foreign language (people aged 25–64); 2022

(per cent)

Refer to the OSP database: PIA75

The informative leaflet Results of Adult Education Survey 2022 contains statistics for mother tongue, language used at home, language skills as well as formal, non-formal education and informal learning activities. The information was collected in 2021 and 2022 surveying people aged 18–69. Sample consisted of 8 764 people, of which 62.7 % took part in the survey.

The survey sample was built with mathematical methods, thus ensuring representativeness of population of different ages, sexes, and regions. There are no administrative data about mother tongue and language used at home, whereas collection thereof with a traditional census would be excessively costly. The quality of the data was assessed by evaluating response rates in different groups, moreover the data are comparable with those in the respective age group obtained prior.

The AES was conducted based on a common Eurostat methodology and the results acquired are internationally comparable at EU level. Survey results and reference metadata are available on the official statistics portal.

Methodological information

¹Mother tongue refers to the language(s) learned at home in childhood and still understood by the individual at the time of the survey. The term 'mother tongue' does not mean that it is the language of one's mother, as in bilingual homes the language of the father could be the most dominant. Or it could also be that both languages, of mother and father, are used; in which case the person has more than one mother tongue.

²Language proficiency levels

Hardly any language skills – person can only understand and use a few words and phrases.

Beginner (basic user) – person can interact in a simple way, ask and answer simple questions in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics.

Intermediate (independent user) – person can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling, enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life.

Advanced (proficient user) –  person can express oneself fluently and spontaneously, use language flexibly and effectively, formulate ideas and opinions with precision and relate own contribution skilfully to those of other speakers.

Media requests:
Communication Section
E-mail: media@csp.gov.lv
Phone: + 371 27880666

More information on data:
Social Statistics Methodology Section
Kalvis Okmanis
E-mail: Kalvis.Okmanis@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67366640