About 900 working-age people in Latvia die due to external causes each year

RIGA - External causes of death in Latvia claim an average 1,400 lives each year, including approximately 900 people of working age, according to data from the State Chancellery and the Welfare Ministry, which were presented today at a meeting of the Council on Demographic Affairs.

As the Welfare Ministry's spokesman Egils Zarins informed LETA, at the meeting, which was chaired today by Krists Avots, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, representatives from the State Chancellery and the Health Ministry presented data on external causes of death, their impact on society as a whole, the country’s demographic trends, and the national economy.

External causes of death account for 24 percent of all potential years of life lost up to the age of 64. The most common causes of death in this category are traffic accidents, falls, drowning, poisoning, violence, exposure to cold, fires, and suicides.

Last year, Latvia recorded 240 suicides and 234 fatal falls. There were also 171 cases of alcohol and drug poisoning, while 121 people lost their lives in traffic accidents. Also in 2025, 92 people drowned, 72 froze to death, and 34 were murdered. Of all these cases, 629 involved alcohol consumption, while psychoactive substances were involved in 102 cases.

To reduce and prevent such deadly accidents and incidents, close cooperation is needed among the health, education, traffic safety, law enforcement, and social sectors. Experts also pointed to the need for a long-term approach that combines prevention, public awareness, and cross-sectoral cooperation.

The Welfare Ministry notes that educational issues were also discussed at the meeting. The Education and Science Ministry gave a presentation on the current situation regarding the implementation of the Program at School education funding model.

At the same time, the council discussed options for providing free meals in schools through the 9th grade.

The Council on Demographic Affairs is an advisory and coordinating state institution established to promote a unified national demographic policy and its implementation at all levels of government. The council evaluates and coordinates the implementation of the national demographic policy and informs the media about demographic policy matters.