Latvia is facing a significant decline in birth rates, reflecting trends observed over the past two decades. The downward shift is largely attributed to a generational effect, as women giving birth today were born around the year 2000 when fewer children were born than in the 1980s and 1990s. Anna Miskova, head of the Obstetrics Center at the Riga Maternity Hospital, noted that this trend was anticipated, indicating that authorities had foreseen a forthcoming decline ten years ago.

The declining birth rate has various underlying factors, including economic instability and housing issues. Miskova highlighted that lacking proper living conditions can lead women to consider terminating their pregnancies. She recounted a recent conversation with a young woman who hesitated to continue her pregnancy due to inadequate housing, emphasizing that financial constraints often direct such personal decisions.

In response to the decline, the Latvian government is focusing on incentivizing childbirth, particularly among families facing infertility issues. In 2025, Latvia recorded over 11,000 births, with 451 of those results from state-funded medical fertilization. The government has provided certain resources for women undergoing infertility treatments, showcasing a broader commitment to enhancing birth rates through medical and financial support measures.