Material and social deprivation rates the lowest recorded so far

Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) data show that 10.9 % of the population in Latvia faced material and social deprivation¹ in 2024 (down by 2.6 percentage points compared to 2023), moreover 5.3 % experienced severe material and social deprivation² (down by 0.9 percentage points). These figures, collected in interviews with one every hundred households, are the lowest recorded so far.  

Material and social deprivation decreased most among the poorest population

Material and social deprivation reduced more rapidly among the population with the lowest income (belonging the first (bottom) quintile group³). In this group, severe material and social deprivation rate dropped by 3.3 percentage points, reaching 14.7 % last year. However, despite this positive trend, the poorest population still faced severe material and social deprivation more often than other population groups. Among the population with slightly higher income (belonging to the second quintile group), severe material and social deprivation rate was 6.2 %. Furthermore, even some (0.8 %) of the richest households (fifth (top) quintile group) reported lacking at least one deprivation item (the estimate is based on self-perceived data).

Refer to the OSP database: MIS060 and NNN180

* Household income in the income reference period, i.e., 2023.

59 % of the population lack at least one deprivation item

Despite generally lower severe material and social deprivation rate, the greatest share of the population (58.8 %) believed they experienced an enforced lack of at least one of the 13 deprivation items (59.9 % in 2023).

The most significant decline was recorded in the share of population that lacked capacity of replacing worn-out furniture (down from 27.7 % in 2023 to 23.0 % in 2024) as well as of replacing worn-out clothes by some new ones (from 11.8 % to 8.5 %) and to afford paying for one-week annual holiday away from home (from 32.9 % to 30.9 %).

Last year, 79.9 % of residents were able to get together with friends/family for a drink or meal at least once a month (2.1 percentage points fewer than in 2023 when the figure was 82.0 %), in addition, 5.4 % were not able to do so because could not afford it (5.3 % in 2023). About half (50.7 %) of the total population were able to have regular leisure activities (that cost money) (49.4 % in 2023). However, the data about those who did not have this capacity due to financial reasons show a positive trend – 15.6 % in 2024, compared to 17.4 % in 2023.

** Unexpected expenses are calculated annually according to the at-risk-of-poverty threshold per equivalised consumer three years earlier (in 2024, the 2021 at-risk-of poverty threshold was used). In 2024, the unexpected expenses amounted to 510 euro and in 2023 to 450 euro.

More material deprivation statistics is available in the official statistical portal section Poverty and inequality (EU-SILC) and informative leaflet Material Deprivation in Latvia 2024 (available in Latvian only), which is the third and concluding publication on the topic income and living conditions in 2025. Previous publications People at risk of poverty and social exclusion in Latvia and Household disposable Income in Latvia are available on the official statistics portal.

Material and social deprivation data were acquired in a CSB survey on population income and living conditions which in 2024 covered 10.5 respondents (aged 16 and over) from 6 thousand households.

Methodological information

¹ Material and social deprivation rate is defined as the proportion of the population experiencing an enforced lack of at least 5 out of 13 deprivation items (six related to the individual and seven related to the household): 1) capacity to being confronted with payment arrears (on mortgage or rental payments, utility bills, hire purchase instalments or other loan payments), 2) ability to keep home adequately warm, 3) capacity to face unexpected expenses, 4) capacity to afford a meal with meat, chicken, fish or vegetarian equivalent every second day, 5) capacity to afford paying for one week annual holiday away from home, 6) have access to a car/van for personal use, 7) replacing worn-out furniture, 8) replacing worn-out clothes by some new ones, 9) having two pairs of properly fitting shoes (including a pair of all-weather shoes), 10) spending a small amount of money each week on him/herself, 11) having regular leisure activities, 12) getting together with friends/family for a drink/meal at least once a month, 13) having internet connection.

² Severe material and social deprivation rate is defined as the proportion of the population experiencing an enforced lack of at least 7 out of 13 deprivation items listed under the term Material and social deprivation rate.

³ Quintile group is one fifth (20 %) of the number of the surveyed households grouped in an ascending order based on the disposable income per household member.

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

More information on data:
Social Statistics Methodology Section
Darja Behtere
E-mail: Darja.Behtere@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67366901