In April 2016 there were 19,933 Latvian nationals living in Ireland. The population decreased by 3 per cent compared with 2011 (when there was 20,593 Latvian nationals), but remained significantly higher than in 2006, when there were 13,319 Latvian nationals usually resident in Ireland.
| Table 6.1 Population Usually Resident by Nationality and Census Year | |||
| 2006 | 2011 | 2016 | |
| Latvian | 13,319 | 20,593 | 19,933 |
Most Latvian nationals indicated Dublin was their county of usual residence in April 2016 (5,771 Latvian persons, 29% of the population). Unlike the Brazilian, Spanish, Italian, French, and German nationals the Latvian population mainly lived in the suburbs rather than the city, as seen in the inset of Figure 6.1, with a particularly high concentration in Fingal (15% of the Latvian population, 2,895 persons). Looking at individual Electoral Divisions outside of county Dublin, relatively high proportions of Latvian nationals were found to be living in Dundalk, Navan, Tullow, Portlaoise, and Monaghan, shown in purple in Figure 6.1.
It's a Fact
43 per cent of the Latvian population usually resident in Ireland was aged 25 years to 39 years old, comparably only 22 per cent of the State population was in the same age bracket. Furthermore, 29 per cent of the Latvian population was under the age of 25 years old, with another 28 per cent 40 years and over. One third of the State was under the age of 25 years old, while 45 per cent was aged 40 years and over.
The age breakdown of the Latvian and State population can be seen by clicking an option below:
The average age of the Latvian population in April 2016 was 31.7 years, 5.6 years younger than the average age of the State population (37.3 years).
| Table 6.2 Population Usually Resident in the State by Nationality, Average Age, and Census Year | |||
| 2006 | 2011 | 2016 | |
| Latvian | 28.9 | 29.1 | 31.7 |
| State | 35.5 | 36.1 | 37.3 |
In April 2016, there were 10,980 Latvian nationals usually resident in Ireland at work (67%). Between 2011 and 2016 the number of Latvian nationals either at work or studying increased by 2 and 15 per cent respectively, while the number who were unemployed fell by 35 per cent.
| X-axis label | 0 - 14 years | 15 - 24 years | 25 - 44 years | 45 - 64 years | 65 years and over | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cities | 104.7 | 99.2 | 97.3 | 93 | 74.6 | |
| Satellite urban towns | 104.8 | 100 | 93.8 | 97 | 81.1 | |
| Independent urban towns | 103.8 | 97.2 | 96.3 | 96.9 | 76 | |
| Rural areas with high urban influence | 106 | 108.1 | 98.9 | 105.5 | 93.3 | |
| Rural areas with moderate urban influence | 104.8 | 106.3 | 102 | 107.1 | 94.8 | |
| Highly rural/remote areas | 104.8 | 106.9 | 103.2 | 107.4 | 94.3 | |
| State | 104.8 | 101.8 | 97.7 | 99.6 | 83.3 |
Table 6.3 shows the top three broad industrial groups among the Latvian population in April 2016 and the proportion of the population at work in each industry. Approximately one fifth of Latvians at work were in the retail industry (2,339 persons), making it the industry with the greatest number of Latvian nationals. Cashiers and retail managers were two of the most common occupations for Latvian nationals within the retail industry.
| Table 6.3 Population Aged 15 Years and Over, at Work, by Nationality and Broad Industrial Group, 2016 | ||
| Latvian | State | |
| At Work | 10,980 | 1,970,728 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and cycles | 21% | 13% |
| Manufacturing | 15% | 10% |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 14% | 6% |
Table 6.4 shows the top three broad occupational groups for the Latvian population at work and usually resident in Ireland in April 2016. Many of the Latvian population was working in elementary occupations. Cleaners, domestics, catering assistants, and fishery workers were among the most common occupations within this group. 29 per cent of Latvian nationals worked in this occupational group compared with 9 per cent of the State’s population.
| Table 6.4 Population Aged 15 Years and Over, at Work, by Nationality and Broad Occupational Group, 2016 | ||
| Latvian | State | |
| At Work | 10,980 | 1,970,728 |
| Elementary Occupations | 29% | 9% |
| Plant, Process and Machine operative occupations & Transport | 16% | 7% |
| Skilled Trades Occupations | 14% | 14% |
Chefs and mechanics were prevalent occupations among Latvian nationals working in the skilled trades group. 6 per cent of all Latvian nationals at work were factory workers in food, tobacco, or drink plants.
| Widowed | Divorced | Separated | Married (inc. same-sex civil partnership) | Single | |
| State | 193360 | 100417 | 117201 | 1762837 | 1513770 |
| Latvian | 379 | 1782 | 669 | 6258 | 7303 |
There was a high proportion of Latvian nationals aged 15 years and over who were separated or divorced (15%) compared with the State (6%) in 2016 (Figure 1.7). Furthermore, 11 per cent of Latvian nationals were divorced compared with 3 per cent of the State population aged 15 years and over.
It's a Fact
| Flat, apartment or bed-sit | Terraced house | Semi-detached house | Detached house | |
| State 2016 - Rent | 148293 | 100380 | 137990 | 75850 |
| State 2016 - Own | 37673 | 171949 | 319563 | 613339 |
| Latvian 2016 - Rent | 1995 | 862 | 2103 | 991 |
| Latvian 2016 - Own | 86 | 123 | 268 | 129 |
| Latvian 2011 - Rent | 1525 | 953 | 2126 | 1060 |
| Latvian 2011 - Own | 81 | 86 | 198 | 81 |
Semi-detached houses and flats/apartments were the most popular accommodation types to rent among Latvian headed households, with approximately one third living in each.
While renting accommodation remained the most common among Latvian headed households the level of home ownership increased by over one third (35%) between 2011 and 2016.
It's a Fact
Learn about our data and confidentiality safeguards, and the steps we take to produce statistics that can be trusted by all.