Demographic challenges of rural areas in Latvia: reflections of the COVID-19 pandemic

Typical case of rural depopulation represents a spiral of diminishing returns between negative natural population growth, shrinking employment opportunities, out-migration of the young, active and creative individuals and degrading socio-economic environments needed to support them. In 2020, health measures introduced due to COVID-19 pandemic by many European countries, including Latvia, have brought changes to the traditional concept of workplace, creating remote and hybrid working environments within multiple economic sectors. The rapid uptake of remote or hybrid working and the positive feedback of both workers and employers indicate a fundamental shift in the concept of workplace, suggesting a need to revisit the established rural population development approach. This study aims to evaluate the changes in rural population dynamics and population disposition towards demographic processes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, while assessing the possible changes in the rural demographic development approach needed in order to encompass the changing realities. Authors use available population statistics and compare results of the two consecutive nationwide population opinion surveys carried out before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latvia. Study results indicate some new opportunities and new challenges for the rural population development in Latvia. Authors conclude that rural areas can benefit from the remote work possibilities, as it reduces role of employment constraints in the rural development equation. However, remote work is still unlikely to fix the rural-urban divide in Latvia, as many rural areas are lacking the necessary infrastructure or enabling institutions necessary to attract and sustain remote workers.