Demographic Change & Migration
SE Riga is a partner in a three-year, state-funded research project examining demographic change and (return)migration in Latvia amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty following Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The project is led by Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) in cooperation with the University of Latvia (LU) and is funded through the Latvian State Research Programme (VPP).
About the Project
“Between Risk and Hope: Demographic Change and (Return)Migration in Latvia Amid Russia’s War in Ukraine” explores how perceptions of insecurity and uncertainty influence:
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Family planning and fertility intentions
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Emigration and return migration decisions
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Integration of new arrivals, including Ukrainian refugees since 2022 and other recent migrants
The project combines expertise in demography, economics, political science, sociology, social anthropology, and communication to support evidence-based policymaking and informed public debate.
SSE Riga’s Contribution
SSE Riga leads a dedicated work package focused on fertility and family formation under external turbulence and domestic socio-economic challenges. The research examines how geopolitical and economic uncertainty shapes:
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Fertility intentions
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Family formation decisions
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Related policy preferences
The work uses mixed methods and experimental approaches.
SSE Riga Faculty Involved
- Zane Vārpiņa
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Dominik Gerber
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Xavier Landes
Contact
Zane Vārpiņa
zane.varpina@sseriga.edu | +371 67015828