Integration of Ukrainian refugees in Latvia continues to show progress in employment and language acquisition but some unmet needs remain
Integration of Ukrainian refugees in Latvia continues to show progress in employment and language acquisition but some unmet needs remain
23 February 2026
The 2025 UNHCR Socio-Economic Insights Survey SEIS 2025 Latvia provides an analysis of the socio-economic conditions of Ukrainian refugees in Latvia.
In Latvia, almost 32,000 refugees from Ukraine currently hold temporary protection. Most refugees are women and children. The survey reveals progress toward integration, reflected in improved education, employment, and housing outcomes. Despite those positive outcomes, the results also show that secure housing and access to healthcare remain challenges, especially for vulnerable groups.
“Since 2022, Latvia has demonstrated a strong and sustained commitment to welcoming refugees fleeing Ukraine, providing safety and opportunities. While many refugees view their integration in Latvia positively, the 2025 Socio-Economic Insights Survey highlights areas that require continued attention, particularly in the context of longer-term inclusion, as most of refugees (72 percent) express their intention to remain in Latvia,” said Dace Meilija, UNHCR Government Liaison Officer for Latvia.
The survey reveals several positive indicators of refugee integration in Latvia in the key areas critical to long-term integration. Overall employment rates show a gradual increase over time (from 56% in 2024 to 62% in 2025), 80% of children are enrolled in national schools and 41% of respondents report good Latvian language skills. Progress is evident in other areas as well: residence in collective sites declined to around 5% demonstrating improvements in refugees’ ability to meet basic needs. Despite these positive trends, unmet needs remained widespread and stable compared to the previous year. In both 2024 and 2025, 76% of households reported at least one priority need, employment cited most often in both years. Furthermore:
95% of respondents hold Temporary Protection in 2025. This high coverage reflects stability in legal stay, while also underscoring the importance of pathways toward longer-term national residency solutions after TP is phased out after March 2027
Employment among working-age refugees increased from 56% in 2024 to 62% in 2025, while employment also emerged as the top reported priority need among refugee households. Among persons aged 18–59, employment was the most frequently cited need, followed by healthcare and accommodation.
A growing share of refugees from Ukraine reported acquiring Latvian language skills allowing effective communication with the host community, increasing from 35% in 2024 to 41% in 2025.
School enrolment in the national education system has increased significantly from 65% to 80%.
Housing conditions showed some of the clearest improvements: 76 percent of households lived in private accommodation, while residence in collective sites declined to around 5% (15% - 2024). Nevertheless, affordability remained a concern: 45% of households relied on partial or full external support to cover housing costs.
Access to healthcare declined, with 88% of refugees with health needs able to obtain care, down from 96% in 2024, appointment availability cited as the key barrier.
Mental health and psychosocial challenges increased, affecting 24% of individuals (up from 17% in 2024). Although 47% of those in need accessed some form of mental health and psychosocial support, reliance on informal support remained common, despite reported improvements among those who received care.
Relationships between refugees and the host community continued to be viewed positively, with a slight increase of those who have experienced hostile behavior: 25% in 2024 and 27% in 2025.
The SEIS Latvia study is conducted by UNHCR and jointly done with IOM and the NGO “I Want to Help Refugees” as part of the Regional Refugee Response Plan supporting refugees from Ukraine. UNHCR supports the Government of Latvia in applying international protection standards so that refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine can access legal status, essential services, and inclusion under national and EU frameworks.
Four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the war continues to cause immense suffering. Nearly 5.7 million Ukrainians are currently living as refugees worldwide, while about 3.7 million are internally displaced. In Europe, one-third of Ukrainian refugees are children, and six out of ten are women and girls. Brutal attacks continue to devastate the lives of civilians across Ukraine, increase humanitarian needs, and prevent safe, voluntary returns.
The full 2025 report is available here.
About the SEIS Survey: UNHCR Latvia, in collaboration with IOM, the NGO “I Want to Help Refugees”, and other key partners, conducted the 2025 Latvia Socio-Economic Insights Survey (SEIS). Data was collected in May–June and September–October 2025. The report serves as a strategic interagency tool to guide humanitarian planning and needs-based programming in Latvia 2026 and beyond. The SEIS was conducted across all three Baltic states, as well as in other countries that are part of the Refugee Response Plan for Ukraine.
UNHCR contacts in Latvia, Dace Meilija, +371 23553446, [email protected]
