The population of Latvia annually decreases by 7,000-8,000 people over low fertility and emigration, Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins said on Friday, adding that there is a need for a "smart" migration policy
RIGA (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 31st May, 2019) The population of Latvia annually decreases by 7,000-8,000 people over low fertility and emigration, Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins said on Friday, adding that there is a need for a "smart" migration policy."Latvia's population annually reduces by 7,000-8,000 people due to both negative balance of fertility and mortality and emigration," the prime minister said.
Karins stressed that the government needed to encourage labor immigration to tackle the population decline issue but do so "smartly."
"There is no consensus among the ruling parties on this issue yet, but I personally believe in the need to promote smart labor immigration in accordance with the rules developed by the government, preventing uncontrolled immigration," Karins added.
Latvia has been EU member state since 2004. According to various estimations, from 250,000 to 350,000 people have left the country, whose population is less than two million people, for foreign countries over the past 15 years.
