recent academic researchers have indicated that there are possible inequalities concerning work and pay in different countries, professions and economic sectors. the aim of current research is to analyse recent scientific findings on the wage gap depending on gender and empirical data in Latvia using EU-SILc surveys, Labour Surveys and monthly statistical data on wages and salaries for women and men. the findings indicated that in various economic fields and occupations women were under-represented, and amongst most of these fields the modal net wage interval for women was lower than the modal net wage interval for men. It was also concluded that in January 2018 the average gross income from work of women and men were statistically significantly different, confirming that men on average earned more than women.

The self-evaluation of health in Latvia has recently gained a special awareness, due to the financing for health being among the lowest in the European Union. Latvia has recently faced various difficulties, such as problems paying the salaries of medical personnel, and medical personnel emigrating to work in other countries. The aim of the study is to analyse the self-evaluation of health by inhabitants in the regions of Latvia. Research methods used in the preparation of this paper: the analysis of scientific publications and results of previously conducted research; the analysis of the results of a survey on household income and expenses conducted by the EU-SILC and the European Central Bank, compared with the results from other EU countries. The results of the survey are analysed using descriptive statistics indicators and cross-tabulations for the regions of Latvia. For areas, urban-rural living and ANOVA analysis of variance are used. To analyse self-evaluations by regions, the correlation of the relationship between health self-evaluation and educational level is used. The results of the analysis indicate that the situation of the regions of Latvia in the context of health self-evaluation is very different, and that there are very big demands on decision makers to find the best possible solution.

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Income differences in regions of Latvia is becoming a greater problem for families as there are made decisions for emigration, for municipalities as there are significant reductions in tax (income and property) payers and for entrepreneurs as there are less customers for their products and services: those aspects are on great importance but not enough researched and discussed in academic research. Purpose of the study is to analyse income differences in the regions of Latvia. The tasks of the study: 1) to review theoretical background of income differences in context of regional development; 2) to review existing research of income differences in the regions in EU; 3) to analyse problems of income indifferences in the regions of Latvia. Research methods used in preparation of the paper: scientific publication and previous conducted research results analysis, analysis of EU-SILC results (in 2014-2017) and European Central Bank conducted survey on Household income and expenses survey results, results are compared with the results of other Eurozone countries. Survey results are analysed using indicators of descriptive statistics (indicators of central tendency or location - arithmetic mean, mode, median), indicators of variability (indicators of dispersion - range, standard deviation and standard error of mean), cross-tabulations for regions in Latvia, for household members, for urban – rural living and analysis of variance - ANOVA are used. The results of analysis have indicated different challenges for decision makers on different levels.