2 on Migration ⇄ LV

A comparison of the psychosocial wellbeing of children of Latvian emigrants in schools in host countries with the wellbeing of returnee children

info@migracija.lv (LU Filozofijas un socioloģijas institūts) — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Addressing Migration in Latvia’s Municipal Development Planning in the Context of Depopulation

info@migracija.lv (LU Filozofijas un socioloģijas institūts) — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines how migration issues are reflected in the development planning documents of Latvian municipalities, particularly in the context of depopulation. Using both quantitative and qualitative content analysis methods, 76 municipal development documents, approved or amended after 2021, were analysed. The research explored how municipalities recognize and interpret migration trends and whether migration is considered a strategic solution for fostering municipal development. The findings reveal that while most municipalities acknowledge the risks of depopulation and emphasize the importance of human capital in development, this recognition often fails to translate into comprehensive strategies. Municipalities view migration as both a risk (due to emigration) and an opportunity (through attracting residents). However, the focus tends to be competing for existing Latvian residents rather than attracting new ones through immigration. Immigrants, as a potential solution to depopulation, are rarely mentioned in municipal development plans. The study highlights the lack of a systematic approach to migration in these strategic documents. This gap hinders the effective integration of demographic shifts with broader development goals. Additionally, there is a disconnect between the economic development visions outlined by municipalities and the realities of depopulation. Given the latest trends in Latvia’s migration dynamics, the authors conclude that the current approach, which largely avoids directly addressing immigration, may be inadequate. The study calls for more detailed integration strategies at the municipal level, alongside a comprehensive evaluation of migration’s potential to address depopulation challenges.

Rise of remote work across borders: opportunities and implications for migrant-sending countries

info@migracija.lv (LU Filozofijas un socioloģijas institūts) — Tue, 07 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Boundary work in the UK: identity discourses and practices of Latvian migrants

info@migracija.lv (LU Filozofijas un socioloģijas institūts) — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Estimating the Size of Latvia’s Diaspora and the Number of Returnees: Methodological Approaches and Main Findings

info@migracija.lv (LU Filozofijas un socioloģijas institūts) — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

We have combined population statistics by citizenship, by country of birth and (when available) by ethnic ancestry or country background, as well as statistics on acquisition of citizenship by country of previous citizenship. In addition, we used tabulations based on destination countries Census or Microcensus data when available. The Latvian Population registry data on Latvia’s nationals residing abroad were used to complement other sources.

Our results suggest that in 2018–2019 about 300 thousand Latvian nationals and former nationals lived outside Latvia, including about 280 thousand in the EU and OECD countries. When also other persons born in Latvia are accounted for, the size of diaspora reaches 390 thousand, including 295 thousand in the EU and OECD countries. Members of wider diaspora can be identified by self-reported ethnic ancestry (single or one of several) being Latvian or by country of birth of at least one parent (or, if data allow, grandparent) being Latvian. The size of this wider diaspora exceeds half a million worldwide and 400 thousand – in the EU and OECD countries.

Estimates of the stock or returnees vary strongly with the reference period and the minimum duration of a period spent abroad. Analysis based on EU–SILC microdata suggests that over 2008–2018, 117 thousand unique persons returned to Latvia with some foreign work experience acquired during the previous four years; however, estimated stock of such returnees living in Latvia in 2018 is just 34 thousand. On the other hand, in early 2020, at least 145 thousand Latvia’s residents aged 18–74 during the last ten years (i.e., over 2010–2019) have done some paid work in another country for a period of 6 months or more, according to European Social Survey data.

A Sense of Belonging and Plans for Return: What has Changed in the Latvian Diaspora?

info@migracija.lv (LU Filozofijas un socioloģijas institūts) — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Analysing a person’s sense of belonging (place or group attachment) and identity formation in the context of migration is a challenge in itself. Sense of belonging and migration are concepts which, similar to nationalism and globalisation, are contradictory from the outset. Belonging is associated with concepts such as rootedness, a sense of place and balance, whereas migration is associated with action, mobility, borders, uncertainty etc. (Hedetoft 2002). Starting a new life or living for lengthy periods of time in another country, people tend to search for new belongings, thereby gaining (or not gaining ) a sense of belonging to the new country, territory, place, as well as to the local community. Sense of belonging provides a feeling of security which facilitates individual’s integration into the new environment. On the flipside, inability to integrate can be difficult to bear, even traumatic, creating a feeling of alienation and emptiness, negatively influencing one’s adaptation and integration into the new environment (May 2011).

To identify various types of belonging, cluster analysis was conducted, based on sense of belonging indicators (to the source and host countries and their societies). In addition, regression analyses was used to single out factors that influence changes in sense of belonging at an individual level.

Time spent living abroad, as well as the particular wave of immigration used both play an important role in changes in sense of belonging, as these are associated with motivation for migration and the emotional backdrop of leaving Latvia. Social ties also have significant meaning – whether an individual lives abroad by themselves or together with their family and friends. A longlasting sense of national belonging and its strengthening over time are also influenced by family and close friends living in Latvia, as well as by materialistic component – property in Latvia. Participation in various diaspora organisations also contributes to maintaining a sense of national identity.

Other indicators that influence belonging are subjective factors. If an overall satisfaction with life, and a higher level of trust in it fosters a positive sense of belonging to the host country, as well as the source country, then the opposite – dissatisfaction with one aspect of life – work, family life, socio-economic conditions – significantly affect alienation, a sense of (not) belonging. Separation from loved ones that is often the cause of unhappiness in family life, as well as dissatisfaction with work and life as a whole can impede the growth of feelings of belonging to the host country.

The results of the study show that a sense of belonging to the source country and the development of a new sense of belonging to the host country (or lack of it) have a significant correlation with an individual’s plan to stay «there» or return.

Networking Practices and Factors Influencing Participation in Current Diaspora

info@migracija.lv (LU Filozofijas un socioloģijas institūts) — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

The involvement of minority emigrants, especially ethnic Russians, in the life of Latvian diaspora is negligible, thus, it is important to remember emigrants of other nationalities when designing events and to offer activities of interest to them as well. These can be sports events as well as participation in various other informal interest groups (astronomy club, discussion club, etc.) that would not focus on Latvian culture but on activities that could be of interest to people of any nationality.

Representatives of the old diaspora (Latvians in exile and their descendants) are significantly more often involved in both diaspora organizations and events, and often try to promote Latvian related activities in their children and grandchildren. Traditions have been actively maintained by diaspora organizations in the traditional «old» diaspora countries, but there are concerns that, as generations change, they may have become less relevant since the organizations themselves fail to change and adapt to the new circumstances. This study sheds light on the reasons that deter young people from participating in diaspora organizations and activities and suggest ways to make them more attractive to young people.

What Language is Spoken in Diaspora? Dynamics of Situation in Language

info@migracija.lv (LU Filozofijas un socioloģijas institūts) — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

After Latvia regained its independence in 1991 and later joined the European Union in 2004, Latvians started to emigrate abroad. This resulted in a change in their linguistic skills and language use. Living outside the linguistic environment of Latvia, as members of the Latvian diaspora they started to live and integrate into other linguistic environments, which inevitably led to increased use of the language of the new host country, and other languages necessary for communication.

Researchers from the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology at the University of Latvia (LU FSI) have been monitoring the dynamics of language skills and language use by the Latvian diaspora to enable Latvian state to respond to the Latvian language needs of Latvians living abroad, and returning migrants.

Quantitative data from various surveys of the diaspora and returning migrants provides an insight into the dynamics of language retention in both the adult diaspora community as well as in the second diaspora generation raised abroad. Interviews with diaspora community members add a qualitative in-depth look at the issues that concern this wave of emigrants including the challenges regarding retention of Latvian language in families with diverse linguistic backgrounds, opinions on the purpose of native language acquisition and maintenance and how it correlates with ethnic identity.

Migration Experience of the Baltic Countries in the Context of Economic Crisis

info@migracija.lv (LU Filozofijas un socioloģijas institūts) — Thu, 12 May 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Citation:

Hazans M. (2016) Migration Experience of the Baltic Countries in the Context of Economic Crisis. In: Kahanec M., Zimmermann K. (eds) Labor Migration, EU Enlargement, and the Great Recession. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

Negotiating identities and friendships while living abroad: experiences of Latvian migrants

info@migracija.lv (LU Filozofijas un socioloģijas institūts) — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Citation:

Mieriņa, I., Koroļeva, I. (2015). Negotiating identities and friendships while living abroad: experiences of Latvian migrants. European Scientific Journal, August 2015: 352-368.

Lesen und Migration: Identitätsrelevanz und Funktionen medialer Texte für die Diaspora

info@migracija.lv (LU Filozofijas un socioloģijas institūts) — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Citation:

Laura Sūna (2015). 2.3.5 Lesen und Migration: Identitätsrelevanz und Funktionen medialer Texte für die Diaspora. Lesen: Ein interdisziplinäres Handbuch (pp. 469–490). https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110275537-022

Support for far right ideology and anti‐migrant attitudes among youth in Europe: A comparative analysis

info@migracija.lv (LU Filozofijas un socioloģijas institūts) — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Citation:

Mieriņa, I. and Koroļeva, I. (2015), Support for far right ideology and anti‐migrant attitudes among youth in Europe: A comparative analysis. The Sociological Review, 63: 183-205. doi:10.1111/1467-954X.12268