Current demographic situation in Latvia indicates ageing and depopulation trends, especially between working-age populations, which stresses the importance of efficient use of the existing labour force potential. Latvia is in the process of increasing the statutory retirement age. The standard (legal) retirement age for men and women, starting from 2014, increases gradually from 62 years by 3 months per year, until reaching 65 years in 2025.
In 2014-2016 (from March, 2014 to February, 2016), the Ministry of Welfare implemented a project on Active Ageing co-financed by the European Commission “Latvia: Developing a Comprehensive Active Ageing Strategy for Longer and Better Working Lives”. The objective of the project was to develop an evidence-based and comprehensive Active Ageing Strategy in Latvia that would facilitate longer and better working lives, taking into account the considerable demographic challenges that the country is currently facing.
Within this project the World Bank carried out a study “The Active Aging Challenge for Longer Working Lives in Latvia and gave recommendations for the improvements in Active Ageing situation and for developing an Active Ageing Strategy.
More information on Active Ageing Project is available here.
As a result, a conceptual report “Active Ageing Strategy for longer and better working lives in Latvia” was prepared after holding discussions with social partners and ministries involved and adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers on 6 September, 2016. The following priorities were set:
- Employment: inclusive labour market for older people;
- Education: educated and knowledgeable older workers responding to changing labour market conditions;
- Health: healthy and physically active older people, who can remain active and independent for as long as possible;
- Social protection: socially protected older workers.
For more information on Active Ageing see also section Labour Market Reports and Statistics.