The eastern European nation of Latvia is located on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. Bordering Russia, Belarus, Estonia and Lithuania, the country has been officially independent since 1991 due to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. As a country, Latvia is about half the size of Greece and has had a population of about 2.2 million people since 2023. However, underneath the country’s beautiful scenery and culture are hunger issues and widespread poverty in Latvia.

The Current State in Numbers

Latvia is the third poorest country in the European Union. Moreover, roughly 22.5% of the population lives below the poverty line. With an average household size of 2.4 individuals, Latvian families may struggle, as the median household income is $9,337. Although the cost of living in Latvia is 30% lower than in the U.S., the cost of living, transportation and other necessities do not always leave enough room for families to purchase food. The ones who suffer the most from food insecurity include young children and senior adults.

Although hunger has remained an ongoing problem in Latvia for years as a result of World War I, the country has made incredible efforts to fight it. From 2000 to 2015, there was a 59% decrease in hunger, with an average shift from 8.3 in 2000 to 3.4 in 2015. According to the Global Hunger Index, Latvia’s hunger level is low because of 21st-century initiatives to combat malnourishment, which brought the rate of stunted children to less than 0.5%.

Food Insecurity and Hunger

Several initiatives have been launched to help decrease food insecurity within Latvia. Between 2006 and 2015, a European Union program called Food Distribution for the Most Deprived Persons of the Community worked with the Latvian Red Cross to distribute food packages for individuals in need. According to a Transmango National Report on Food and Nutrition Security in 2015, there were 448 distribution centers throughout Latvia.

Besides this EU-sponsored program, NGOs and other charitable organizations such as the Samaritan Association of Latvia have worked to combat hunger in Latvia. One initiative of this organization is Paēdušai Latvija, which has provided 600-650 parcels of nutritious foods and staple products for Latvian families in need, especially in the winter months. 

Lastly, the government of Latvia submitted the Child Guarantee National Action Plan as its EU program to ensure the rights of its children. In addition to commitments in education, health care, housing and financial benefits for families, the plan continues a pledge to give free milk, fruit and vegetables to school-age children to promote a nutritious diet.

The Future of Hunger in Latvia

The programs in existence have proven successful, as the rate of hunger in Latvia has plateaued at a very low level. Despite this, it is comforting to know that those Latvians who are living in poverty are cared for by government initiatives and international organizations fighting for a future where not a single Latvian goes hungry.

– Caitlin Calfo and Cole Zickwolff
Photo: Pixabay
Updated: November 21, 2024