Latvia experienced a record low birth rate in the past year, with nearly 12,000 babies born, a stark contrast to the approximately 22,000 births a decade ago in 2015. The decline in births has been gradual, with yearly reductions of one to one and a half thousand over the past decade. While the overall trend is ubiquitous across the country, the impact has varied significantly by region.

From 2015 to 2024, the number of births per 1,000 residents has decreased in all cities and municipalities, although the disparities among different regions are quite pronounced. The most rapid decline has been observed in the city of Rēzekne, where the birth rate has dropped by over 50%. Other areas like Ventspils, Riga, and municipalities such as Mārupe and Limbaži have also experienced significant decreases. Conversely, some municipalities, including South Kurzeme, though they are also seeing a decline, are managing to maintain relatively stable birth rates compared to others.

Over the years, South Kurzeme municipality has shown the most resilience when it comes to the number of newborns per 1,000 residents. The percentage decline between 2015 and 2024 has been minimal compared to other regions, indicating that while the overall trend in Latvia is towards lower birth rates, the situation in South Kurzeme might reflect local factors that contribute to a more stable demographic situation. This highlights the importance of understanding regional dynamics when addressing national demographic challenges.