Rural Development Rural Development Perspectives in LatviaPerspectives in Latvia

Alise Vitola,

Riga Technical University

Alise Vitola,

Riga Technical University

Zintis Hermansons,

Ministry of Environmental Protection

and Regional Development

Zintis Hermansons,

Ministry of Environmental Protection

and Regional Development

October 2012

Germany (1950)

Working in agriculture: 24%

Labor productivity,compared to UK: 66%

Germany (1950)

Working in agriculture: 24%

Labor productivity,compared to UK: 66%

UK (1950)

Working in agriculture: 5%

UK (1950)

Working in agriculture: 5%

Rural population in Latvia

1939: 63%1959: 48%1979: 34%

2011: 32%

Rural population in Latvia

1939: 63%1959: 48%1979: 34%

2011: 32%

Manual tasks

1960: basis1980: -6%2002: -8%

Manual tasks

1960: basis1980: -6%2002: -8%

Abstract tasks

1960: basis1980: +3%2002: +12%

Abstract tasks

1960: basis1980: +3%2002: +12%

Routine tasks

1960: basis1980: +3%2002: -4%

Routine tasks

1960: basis1980: +3%2002: -4%

Agriculture

6-10% of employed2020: 4-5%

Agriculture

6-10% of employed2020: 4-5%

Nature preservationNature preservation Tourism &leisure activities

Tourism &leisure activities

Public services

10-14% of employed2020: 9-10%

Public services

10-14% of employed2020: 9-10%

Second homeSecond home

Rural lifestyle &social functionsRural lifestyle &social functions

Exclusive placeof residence

Exclusive placeof residence

(Digital) commuting(Digital) commuting

A nice place to live:76%

A nice place to live:76%

A nice place forrecreation: 76%A nice place forrecreation: 76%

A beautiful place: 65%A beautiful place: 65%

A good placeto work: 26%A good placeto work: 26%

A good place tofulfill ones aims and

dreams: 33%

A good place tofulfill ones aims and

dreams: 33%

Durbe– a typicalrural municipality Durbe– a typical

rural municipality

Where do locals work?

73% of employers which employ inhabitantsfrom Durbe are located in surroundingmunicipalities; 18% in Riga

73% of employers which employ inhabitantsfrom Durbe are located in surroundingmunicipalities; 18% in Riga Largest employers in

the municipality:public sector and

agriculture

Largest employers inthe municipality:public sector and

agriculture

Data: State Revenue Service of Latvia, 2011

Location of territorial office of State Revenue Service which serves surrounding territory Map created by authors

using Latvia GIS 10.0

Proportion of inhabitants who live in particular municipality and have also declared their address there (%). It indicates that rural areas around big cities are not seen as places for permanent living

and working – ie. traditional country lifestyle

Data: Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia, Census, 2011;Map created by authors using Latvia GIS 10.0

Micro and small entrepreneurship

(i.a. cooperation & coordination)

Micro and small entrepreneurship

(i.a. cooperation & coordination)

Virtual proximity (telework, services)

Virtual proximity (telework, services)

Attractive place of residence (local

activities)

Attractive place of residence (local

activities)

Youth measures (projects, traineeships,

mentoring)

Youth measures (projects, traineeships,

mentoring)