H1 2024 once again marked with fewer deaths as well as fewer births

Central Statistical Bureau provisional data show that in the first six months of the year 13 564 deaths were registered, which is 900 deaths or 6.2 % fewer than in the same period a year ago and 3 449 deaths or 20.3 % fewer than in 2021 when mortality went up due to COVID-19.

The highest number of deaths – 2 702 – was recorded in January (336 deaths or 11.1 % fewer than in January 2023) while the lowest – 2 027 – in April (295 deaths or 12.7 % fewer than in April 2023).

Number of births still declining

The number of births kept declining and still made up around a half of deaths: 6 344 children were born, which is 937 children or 12.9 % fewer than in H1 2023. The highest number of births (1 094) was recorded in May and the lowest in February (1 029).

Number of marriages down by 17.9 %

In H1 2024, 3 368 marriages were registered, which is 734 marriages or 17.9 % fewer than in the corresponding period a year ago and 221 marriages or 6.2 % fewer than in H1 2020 when due to the pandemic gatherings were restricted.

On 1 July 2024 Latvia provisionally had a population of 1 million 861 thousand, which is 11.6 thousand people fewer than on 1 January 2024.

Methodological information

Deaths – provisional number of deaths in the respective month. To produce annual statistics the data are specified by supplementing the death number with the number of persons the death whereof was registered after the national registration deadline (six working days) as well as usual residents of Latvia who passed away while temporarily abroad.

Live births – provisional number of live deaths in the respective month. To produce annual statistics the data are specified by supplementing the birth number with the number of children the birth whereof was registered after the national registration deadline (one month) as well as children born to usual residents of Latvia while temporarily abroad. Children born to parents who are not citizens of Latvia and do not have usual residence in Latvia are excluded from the birth number.

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

More information on data:
Ance Ceriņa
Social Statistics Methodology Section
E-mail: Ance.Cerina@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67366904