Return Migration Trends in Latvia: Re-Attracting the Main Human Resource for Sustainable Regional Development

Abstract

<jats:p>This study is devoted to the research of human resources as a main source of sustainable regional development in Latvia. It is focused on two key concepts of human capital and migration. The aim of the study is to explore return migration geographies by looking at young return migrants as a resource and preconditions for sustainable regional development essential to Latvia.Return migration to the regions of Latvia is examined by two main research questions. What are the most recent return migrant characteristics in Latvia? How does return migration of young Latvians translates into regional geographies of return migration?Drawing on most recent available statistical data we elaborate on the return migration trends in Latvia, look at particular geographies of return migrants to the regions of Latvia. Findings show that return migrants are working age accompanied with their offspring’s, majority not married and return from another European country to the capital and other largest cities and surrounding municipalities. Even more, only ethnicity and country of previous residence serve as return migration predictor. </jats:p>

Institutionalisation of Return Migration in Latvia: The Case of Regional Coordinators

“…One of the main reasons is that returning migrants are seen as potential human capital that can be re-invested in the country of origin. Also, complexity and uncertainty in return migration-decisions have been studied (Apsite-Berina, Burgmanis, & Krisjane, 2019;Apsite-Berina, Manea, & Berzins, 2020). Return motives to Latvia mostly relate to the combination of career-related opportunities and nostalgia and family-related moves, which has already been confirmed in several previous studies (Apsite-Berina, Sechi, & Bērziņš, 2018).…”

Human Capital at the Regional Level: Population Forecast Insights into Latvia from a Long-Term Perspective

“…Depopulation, shrinkage, low population density and ageing are contemporary issues that challenge regional development, particularly outside of economic centres (Paniagua, 2008;Makkonen & Inkinen, 2023;López-Penabad et al, 2022). Studies that consider risks and potential development approaches examine regional attractiveness for living and working and attracting childbearing-age inhabitants (López-Penabad et al, 2022;Štāle et al, 2016;Apsite-Berina et al, 2019).…”

“…Emigration may negatively affect regional development, particularly in rural areas (López-Penabad et al, 2022;Apsite-Berina et al, 2019). Income inequality, low economic activity and insufficient public services are among the factors that stimulate regional emigration.…”

“…Income inequality, low economic activity and insufficient public services are among the factors that stimulate regional emigration. Maintaining and increasing regional populations may occur through improved rural living and working environments (Bosworth et al, 2023) and even encourage return migration (Apsite-Berina et al, 2019). Sufficient social care and local education are key features for regional development policies to make regions attractive for living and working (Sheppard & Pemberton, 2023;López-Penabad et al, 2022).…”

“…Contemporary researchers note a slight increase in some regional populations. Young return migrants (Apsite-Berina et al, 2019), high-income groups and displaced low-income groups (Sheppard & Pemberton, 2023) often relocate to rural areas. The tendency to migrate to rural areas was observed at the regional level during the COVID-19 pandemic in particular (Tammaru et al, 2023).…”