Last year 6.1 % of Latvian population had arrears for utility payments

The data of the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that in 2021, 6.1 % of households had arrears for utility payments¹ at least once in the last 12 months due to lack of money (8.0 % in 2020).

Since 2011, when 22.6 % of households at least once have had arrears for utility payments due to lack of money, the number of such debtors has gradually decreased.

In 2021, the highest number of debtors for utility payments was among households with children – one adult with children (12.9 %), couples with three or more children (10.6 %) and households with one person aged 16-64 (10.0 %). In turn, utility payments were paid most conscientiously by households with single senior (aged 65 and over) and by couples with one child, where there was the smallest number of debtors for utility payments – 3.2 %.

In 2021, housing costs² in Latvia averaged EUR 165 per month

In 2020, housing costs in Latvia averaged EUR 165 per month per household, which is EUR 9 more than a year earlier. This was the average amount paid during the year, taking into account both the warm season with lower costs and the heating period with higher costs. In 2021 households spent on average 11.6 % of their income on housing maintenance (in 2020 – 11.8 %).

Monthly housing costs and share thereof in household disposable income in 2014-2021

*Housing costs of the reference period is compared with the disposable income data of households of the previous period

The highest housing costs were in Pierīga (EUR 211 monthly) and in Riga (EUR 186 monthly). Over a year, households in Zemgale on average paid EUR 148 monthly for housing, in Kurzeme – EUR 141 monthly and in Latgale – EUR 115 monthly.

Couples with two children on average spent EUR 281 monthly on housing, couples with three or more children – EUR 265 monthly, couples with one child – EUR 217 monthly and one adult with children – EUR 198 monthly. The smallest amount on housing was spent by households with one person. In households with one 16–64 years old person average of EUR 139 monthly was spent on housing and in households with single seniors (aged 65 and over) – EUR 99 monthly.

Single seniors spend one-fifth of their income on housing

On average, one household spends 11.6 % of its income on housing. Single seniors (aged 65 and over) were most affected by the cost of housing – they spent 20.8 % of their income on housing. For households with one adult and children, housing costs accounted for 18.7 % of income, and a person aged 16 to 64 spent 16.5 % of income on housing.

In households with a couple living with three and more children housing costs accounted for 11.6 % of income, while couples with one child spent 9.9 % of income and couples without children – 10.6 % of their income.

*Housing costs of the reference period is compared with the disposable income data of households of the previous period

Data source of housing expenditure is EU-SILC – EU Statistics on Income and Living Conditions 2021 survey of the CSB, which was carried out from January 30 until July 15. 6.6 thousand households and 11.7 thousand respondents aged over 16 years participated in the survey.

Methodological explanations

¹ Utility costs include payments for water, gas, electricity, heating and garbage collection. Expenditure borne by the household to provide it with additional facilities (i.e. subscription fees for television, internet, telephone, alarm, etc.) is not included.

² Housing costs include expenses for utilities, maintenance, real estate tax, rent (for tenants), the principal amount of the mortgage loan (for those who pay a mortgage for their home), home insurance, and other expenses that need to be covered in order to live in the dwelling. Housing costs did not include payments for telephone, cable TV, Internet, and other services to provide additional opportunities.

Media requests:
Information and Communication Section
E-mail: media@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67366621, +371 27880666

More information on data:
Social Statistics Methodology Section
Viktors Veretjanovs
E-mail: Viktors.Veretjanovs@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67366609