Latvia is experiencing labour shortages in 37 occupations, as highlighted by the 2023 EURES report on shortages and surpluses.

Key sectors affected include construction, engineering, repair and maintenance services, transportation, and healthcare.

Furthermore, the Report on the implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and its Regional Implementation Strategy (MIPAA/RIS) in Latvia by the UN Economic Commission for Europe reveals that Latvia is facing a declining overall population and an increasing number of elderly residents.

This indicates that Latvia may need foreign workers to address these labor shortages.

The latest EURES report identifies several roles struggling with a worker shortage in Latvia, including:

1.     Building construction laborers

2.     Civil engineering laborers

3.     Mining and quarrying laborers

4.     Fishery and aquaculture laborers

5.     Crop farm laborers

6.     Heavy truck and lorry drivers

7.     Electrical line installers and repairers

8.     Building and related electricians

9.     Aircraft engine mechanics and repairers

10.  Structural metal preparers and erectors

11.  Welders and flame cutters

12.  Painters and related workers

13.  Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics

14.  Plumbers and pipe fitters

15.  Insulation workers

16.  Plasterers

17.  Floor layers and tile setters

18.  Concrete placers, concrete finishers, and related workers

19.  Stonemasons, stone cutters, splitters, and carvers

20.  Bricklayers and related workers

On the other hand, Latvia reported 45 surplus occupations, making it one of the three EURES countries with more surplus than shortage occupations.

Most of the Job Vacancies in 2023 Were Related to Public Administration. In 2023, Latvia registered 24,300 job vacancies, as reported by the country’s Central Statistical Bureau.

Although this represents a 6.1% decrease compared to the previous year, Latvia still faces labor shortages in specific sectors.

In terms of economic activity, the majority of job vacancies in 2023 were related to public administration (8.4%), administrative and support service activities (4%), mining and quarrying (3.3%), construction (2.9%), transportation and storage (2.9%), and health and social care (2.6%).

Who Needs a Visa to Work in Latvia?

Citizens of EU/EEA countries don’t need a visa to work in Latvia but must register their stay and place of residence with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.

Non-EU/EEA citizens, however, must obtain one of the four types of work visas in Latvia, a work permit from a Latvian employer and a Latvian temporary residence permit.