Latvia's population decreased by 340,000 for the past 12 years

RIGA - The Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) has recalculated population statistics for the period from Jan. 1, 2001 to Jan. 1, 2010, as well as produced migration statistics between 2000 and 2010, the CSB has informed.

Within the time period from Jan. 1, 2000 to Jan. 1, 2012, Latvia has reduced by 340,000 persons – by 211,400 due to migration and by 128,600 thousand because of the death rate exceeding the birth rate.

Most notable population decrease was recorded in 2009 and 2010, when the population diminished by 1.9 percent and 2.1 percent respectively. During these two years, due to the migration and negative natural increase, Latvia's population reduced by 84,400 persons.

2011 statistics do not indicate such a rapid decrease in the country's population as in previous years – net migration is by 10,000 less than in 2010, nevertheless reduction in the population number due to the natural movement and international migration (32,800) was the fourth highest indicator within the last 11 years.