Russian-speakers in Latvia

Russian-speakers in Latvia have been a group that has directly influenced many facets of internal and external policy. From integration policy to EU- and NATO-accession processes, from language policy to citizenship regulation, from education policy to bilateral and regional geopolitical conundrums, the presence of a sizeable Russian-speaking population has also presented Latvia’s policy makers with a difficult list of choices, some made only as a result of international pressure. Moreover, language use has been a central aspect in societal and political divisions. This overview seeks to cast a light on who are – and who are not – Russian-speakers in Latvia.

Read the general analysis on Russian speakers in Latvia (by Agnese Lāce, 2023)

Two months after the beginning of the war, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung together with the Latvian survey institute SKDS conducted the first representative and in-depth survey of the Latvian population with a focus on the Russian-speaking minority. The main reason was to find out whether the war had had a major impact on the relations between the Latvian majority and the Russian-speaking minority.

UNDER PRESSURE An Analysis of the Russian-Speaking Minority in Latvia

Smiliarly, one year after the beginning of the war, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung together with the Estonian survey institute Turu-uuringute AS conducted this representative and in-depth survey of the Estonian population with a focus on the Russian-speaking minority. The main reason was to find out whether the war had had a major impact on relations between the Estonian majority and the Russian-speaking minority.

FEELING CORNERED An Analysis of the Russian-Speaking Minority in Estonia