Latvia should prioritise strengthening the municipalities’ capacity to provide accessible and high-quality community-based social services across the country through targeted state funding and a long-term workforce strategy. Although a minimum set of social services is now defined by law, in practice, there are significant disparities between municipalities in terms of service availability and quality. Equal access to services regardless of place of residence must be ensured, alongside improved availability of professional social workers and service providers in all regions. 

Right to access social services

✅ Articles 3 and 6 of the Law on Social Services and Social Assistance recognise people’s right to access social services and social assistance.

Definition of social services

✅ Article 2 of the Law on Social Services and Social Assistance defines social services as social work, philanthropic social work, social care, social rehabilitation, and vocational rehabilitation services. These subcategories are further defined in Articles 1 and 3.

National social services catalogue

❌ Latvia does not have an official catalogue of social services available at national level. However, the types of social services, the principles of service provision, and their delivery are regulated by the Law on Social Services and Social Assistance, which determines the division of responsibility for providing the population with social services between the state and local governments.

On 19 December 2024, amendments to this law were approved, determining the mandatory minimum set of social services that a municipality must provide to its residents. These are:

• From 21 January 2025:
• Home care services for people with severe functional impairments.
• Crisis centre services for people in crisis.
• Group home services for people with mental health conditions.
• Social care centre services for people and children with severe functional disorders.
• Shelters and night shelters for people without permanent living space or people in crisis.
• From 1 January 2026:
• Day care service for people with severe functional impairments.
• Respite services for children with special care needs, people with very severe disabilities, and people with severe or very severe mental health conditions.
• Specialised workshop service for people with mental health conditions.
• Social rehabilitation service at home for children with behavioural or addiction problems and young people in and after out-of-family care (until age of 21 or 24).
• From 1 January 2028:
• Family assistance service for families with children, persons with mental disorders, adult orphans and children left without parental care after the end of out-of-family care.

National social services strategic plan

✅ The Social Protection and Labour Market Policy Guidelines 2021-2027 cover deinstitutionalisation, social service provision for people leaving long-term social care and social rehabilitation, and partly some accessibility issues for people with disabilities. One of the Guidelines’ actions is to develop a modern, accessible social services system that enhances citizens’ ability to live independently and engage in the community, education, and labour market. The focus is on community-based services and transitioning people to community-based or close-to-the-family services. Tailored social services support individual participation in education and work, which is key to independent living. The Guidelines are accompanied by a budget for their implementation, amounting to €12,120,898,260.

The Social Services Improvement and Development Plan 2022-2024 is a short-term policy planning document for social services improvement and development, defining a time plan and responsibilities for implementation. The Plan is accompanied by an indicative budget of €161,378,889 and sets tasks such as:

• Increasing the availability, efficiency, and relevance of community-based social services to the needs of the target group.
• Promoting the transition of people to community-based or close-to-the-family services while improving the quality of residential care facilities.
• Improving the quality and accessibility of social services for citizens.

Responsibilities of national, regional, and local authorities 

According to the By-law of the Ministry of Welfare, the Local Government Law, the Regulations Regarding the Receipt of Social Services and Social Assistance, and the Requirements for Social Service Providers, responsibilities in the area of social services are organised as follows:

• Planning: Planning occurs at the national level, involving representatives of social services in municipalities and the Association of Local Municipalities. In addition to the minimum threshold, municipalities decide the range of social services in their specific municipalities.
• Financing: Social services are mainly financed from local government budgets, except for some social services, which are the state's responsibility.
• Delivery: The responsibility for providing social services and social assistance to the population is divided between the national and local government levels. 

Private and third sector organisations that provide social services serve as partners for the public sector.

• Inspection: The inspection of social services is the responsibility of the Ministry of Welfare, but it must also be monitored by the purchaser, which is usually the municipality.

As of 1 January 2024, Latvia's population was 1,871,882 people (Source: Eurostat). That same year, the country’s gross domestic product (at market prices) reached €40,208.4 million (Source: Eurostat).

In 2024, the municipal expenditure on social services totalled €175,077,813. This included:

• Home care social services.
• Long-term social care and social rehabilitation centres.
• Shelters and night shelters.
• Day care centres.
• Crisis centres.
• Group houses for people with mental impairments (Source: Official Statistics of Latvia).

Furthermore, €77,714,068 was spent on state and contractual organisation long-term social care and social rehabilitation centres (excluding capital expenditure) (Source: Official Statistics of Latvia).

Social Services Workforce

In 2024, there were 7,034 employees in local government institutions providing social services and social assistance, including 1,717 social work specialists (social workers, social carers, and social rehabilitators) (Source: Ministry of Welfare).

As of 31 December 2024, 3,264 people were employed in state long-term social care and rehabilitation facilities, including:

• 305 social work specialists (social workers, social carers, and social rehabilitators).
• 317 health care specialists (doctors, nurses, and others).
• 142 rehabilitation specialists (physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and others).
• 1383 carers.
• 817 other staff members.
• 168 administrative staff members (Source: Ministry of Welfare).

Long-term Care Services for Older People

Population aged 65+

As of 1 January 2024, 21.3% of the population or 399,451 people were aged 65 and over (Source: Eurostat).

In 2024, 74.2% of the population aged 65+ had some or a severe level of activity limitation (Source: Eurostat).

In 2024, 14,804 people aged 65+ received day care and home care services provided by municipalities (Source: Ministry of Welfare). The actual number of older individuals receiving day care may be higher, as some attend centres for adults with mental disabilities, physical impairments, etc., where age segregated data is not collected.

According to Article 11 of the Regulations Regarding the Receipt of Social Services and Social Assistance, a person must contact the social service of their declared place of residence to be assessed for eligibility for long-term care services. The social service is obliged to undertake the assessment within a month and provide an opinion on whether the person qualifies for care.

Residential care facilities

In 2024, 12,774places were available in long-term social care and rehabilitation facilities for people aged 18+. Of these: 

• 4,415 were run by the state and contractual organisations.
• 8,359 were run by local government and other organisations (Source: Ministry of Welfare).

In 2024, 8,659 people aged 62+ accessed long-term social care and rehabilitation facilities, provided by the state and municipalities (Sources: Official Statistics of Latvia).

Day care centres

In 2024, 310 people aged 65+ received day care services provided by municipalities, specifically targeted at older people. The actual number of older individuals receiving day care may be higher, as some attend centres for adults with mental disabilities, physical impairments, etc., where age segregated data is not collected (Sources: Ministry of Welfare). 

Home care services

In 2024, 14,494 people aged 65+ received home care services provided by municipalities (Source: Ministry of Welfare).

The number of hours of home care provided varies between municipalities. There is no data on the average number of hours per month. 

Personal assistants

In 2024, 8,811 people aged 65+ received personal assistant services, regulated by Regulation n.316 and providing up to 160 hours of assistance per person per month (Source: Ministry of Welfare – confidential). 

Telecare services

In 2024, three older people received the ‘video visit’ service, which is available only in Riga (Source: City of Riga). 

Plans

The Plan for Promoting the Accessibility and Development of Long-Term Care Services 2024-2029 focuses mostly on the relevance, accessibility, and quality of long-term care services, both formal and informal caregivers, the management, monitoring, and reporting of long-term care, and the deployment of digital solutions in providing social care to individuals with long-term care needs, with or without disabilities.

Long-term Care Services for Adults with Disabilities

Population aged 18+ with disabilities

In 2024, 114,675 people aged 18-64 were recorded as having a disability, of which:

• Group I (very severe functioning limitations): 9,620.
• Group II (severe functioning limitations): 45,197.
• Group III (moderate functioning limitations): 59,858.

It is possible that one person may belong to more than one group (Source: Official Statistics of Latvia).

In 2024, 4,915 adults with disabilities (including older people with disabilities) received long-term care services provided by the municipalities, including day care and home care (Source: Ministry of Welfare). The actual number of individuals with disabilities receiving day care may be higher, as some may receive day care under a different status than disability, such as retirement or post-imprisonment.

Residential care facilities

In 2024, 12,774places were available in long-term social care and rehabilitation facilities for people aged 18+. Of these: 

• 4,415 were run by the state and contractual organisations.
• 8,359 were run by local government and other organisations (Source: Ministry of Welfare).

At the end of 2024, 6,994 adults with disabilities accessed state and municipal social care facilities. Of these:

• 3,446 were of working age (18-64).
• 3,548 were aged 65+ (Source: Ministry of Welfare). 

Day care centres

In 2024, 2,298 adults with disabilities received day care services provided by municipalities, specifically targeted at people with disabilities. The actual number of individuals with disabilities receiving day care may be higher, as some may receive day care under a different status than disability, such as retirement or post-imprisonment (Sources: Ministry of Welfare). 

Home care services

In 2024, 2,617adults with disabilities received home care services provided by municipalities. The number of individuals with disabilities who receive home care may be higher, as they may receive this under another status, such as people of retirement age (Source: Ministry of Welfare).

The number of hours of home care provided varies between municipalities. There is no data on the average number of hours per month.

Personal assistants

In 2024, 8,241 people aged 18-64 received personal assistant services, regulated by Regulation n.316 and providing up to 160 hours of assistance per person per month (Source: Ministry of Welfare – confidential). 

Telecare services

No data available.

Child Protection

In 2024, 1,328 families, involving 2,424 children, were identified as not providing adequate childcare and upbringing. That same year, parental custody rights were terminated for 1,212 parents, resulting in 1,439 children being separated from their parents.

As of 31 December 2024, 5,341 children were placed in alternative care. Of these:

• 3,352 lived with guardians (relatives or other close individuals).
• 1,403 were in foster care.
• 586 were in residential care (Source: Child Protection Centre).[AM2]

Reforms

The Ministry of Welfare recently initiated the reorganisation of the State Inspectorate for Protection of Children’s Rights into the Child Protection Centre, which marks a significant paradigm shift in Latvia's child protection system as it transitions from the traditional controlling and supervisory approach to a supportive and coordinating model that prioritises the needs of children and families and ensures greater accessibility for all stakeholders. This approach involves a shift from reactive to proactive action, emphasising preventive work and timely intervention. This reform foresees two phases:

• Starting in 2024, it updated the agency's name and duties, promoting cooperation among institutions to reduce child development risks and ensuring coordinated action among municipalities, schools, and other parties. Services improved for children, families, and specialists, including consultations and methodological support. A coordinated crisis action system was developed with case analysis, and specialised teams were formed for crisis resolution.
• From 2026, it plans to establish regional branches of the ‘Children’s House' to expand service access, support children affected by violence, conduct procedural activities without re-traumatisation, and offer rehabilitation and specialist training.

In 2024, a post-care support system was put into place, drawing on international experience and Latvia’s specific situation, where young people, especially from care institutions, often lack skills and knowledge for independent living, resulting in increasing risks of poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion. This system introduced three services that allow young people to gradually transition to independent living, reducing the stress caused by abrupt changes and the risk of ending up in difficult social situations:

• The social mentor provides personalised guidance and emotional support.
• The financial allowance strengthens financial literacy and helps acquire budget management skills.
• The support groups promote socialisation and life skills development (Source: Regulations Regarding Social Guarantees for an Orphan and a Child Left without Parental Care who is in Out-of-Family Care as well as After the Termination of Out-of-Family Care; Law on Social Services and Social Assistance).

Domestic Violence Support Services 

Women experiencing domestic violence

In 2022, women represented 85% of intimate partner violence victims (142 out of 167) and 49% of domestic violence victims (356 out of 725) recorded by the Latvian police (Source: EIGE). 

Women receiving support from domestic violence support services

In 2024, 767 women who received state-funded social rehabilitation services for persons who have experienced abuse pointed out that they had experienced domestic violence perpetrated by their spouse or other person in the household (Ministry of Welfare – confidential).

Emergency accommodation centres

In 2024, 101 women received state-funded social rehabilitation services for 30 to 180 days in crisis shelters (Source: Ministry of Welfare – confidential). 

Reforms

In 2023, the existing state-funded social rehabilitation service for persons who have suffered from abuse was supplemented with a crisis apartment service. The crisis apartment service is provided in cases of high risk of violence, when the person's life and health are at risk and this is confirmed by an assessment carried out by a specialist from a social service or social rehabilitation service provider. The service is provided to an adult victim of violence with minor children and other persons with whom they have lived in an undivided household before receiving the service. Individual consultations or support from a trusted person for everyday problems are also available during the crisis apartment service.

Minimum Income Schemes

The guaranteed minimum income is one of the basic social assistance benefits available in Latvia, providing financial assistance for the payment of minimum daily expenses.

In 2024, 23,427 people or 13,985 households received the guaranteed minimum income (Source: Ministry of Welfare).

Reforms

Following amendments to the Law on Social Services and Social Assistance in 2024, the guaranteed minimum income was set at 22% of the median income. 

Housing and Homelessness Support

Housing support allowances

The housing benefit is one of the basic social assistance benefits available in Latvia, providing material support for covering expenses related to housing. The housing benefit is non-contributory, means-tested, and not taxable.

In 2024, 67,759 people or 48,144 households received the housing benefit (Source: Ministry of Welfare).

Homeless people

In 2024, 5,971 people used accommodation places for homeless people (Source: Ministry of Welfare).

As of 9 September 2025, there were 27 emergency accommodation centres for homeless persons all over the country (Source: Register of Social Service Providers).