Latvia’s Social Cohesion: Challenges of Language, Russian Influence, and Sense of Belonging
Latvian residents report a declining sense of societal acceptance, dropping to 61% in a survey released on Thursday by FOI, representing a seven-percentage-point decrease compared to 2023 figures. The newly published “Social Cohesion Radar – 2026” study highlights significant gaps in the sense of state belonging depending on the primary language spoken at home.
Constitutional Core Values Versus External Ideological Pressures
Public policy center Providus Iveta Kazoka emphasized during the presentation that the feeling of acceptance underpins broader social cohesion. People who feel accepted in Latvia demonstrate a higher connection to the state, trust fellow citizens more, recognize shared values, and rate equality of opportunity more favorably. However, Kazoka noted that these statistical correlations do not establish a direct causal relationship.
According to researcher Berzinia, the foundation of a cohesive society could rest upon core constitutional values. These include state sovereignty, territorial integrity, democracy, republican governance, popular participation, and the principles of a legal, socially responsible national state. Berzinia stated that long-standing differences in state attitudes based on home language can be overcome.
External factors complicate this cohesion. Berzinia identified the influence of Russia—specifically through media content aligned with the regime’s ideological framework and the “compatriots’ policy”—as one of the reasons for the problem. Without such external pressures, societal formation in Latvia would progress more successfully. Global information and communication technology algorithms contribute to societal polarization, a trend affecting Latvia just as much as other nations.
Berzinia Proposes Political Literacy to Counter Polarization
To counteract these polarizing forces, Berzinia proposed advancing political literacy. Media literacy alone, frequently discussed in the context of countering Russian disinformation, remains insufficient without a deeper understanding of underlying political processes.
Survey data shows roughly 60% of residents are willing to bolster the state through non-military means, while about 30% express readiness for military participation. Russian-speaking residents figure prominently among those ready for civic engagement, prompting the researcher to suggest developing a system of non-military participation, drawing on the experience of Zemessardze supporters.
During the “FOI on the Way to ‘Latvia – 2050’: Developing the Ecosystem of Social Cohesion by Connecting People, Sectors, and Opportunities” discussion, Council for Public Electronic Media Chair Sanita Upleja-Egermane addressed the situation of young people born after independence restoration who speak Russian at home. Upleja-Egermane noted that while some hold views requiring persuasion, she remains doubtful that changing those perspectives will prove entirely successful. These youths face a difficult set of conflicting values where Russia wages war under the guise of acting for the Russian people, while Latvia sharply condemns Russian aggression.
Upleja-Egermane predicted further complications driven by social networks and changing media environments, though she maintains that traditional and public media will play an increasing role in reinforcing constitutional values, democracy, and freedom of speech.
Vilks Links Income Inequality to Social Stability
Beyond language and media dynamics, structural factors influence social stability. Peteris Vilks, Deputy Director of the State Chancellery for State Development Issues and Head of the Interagency Coordination Department, pointed to extremely high income inequality levels directly linked to social cohesion indicators.
The study also revealed generational nuances in civic perception. Residents aged 18 to 30 display a stronger belief that their voices matter and perceive greater equal opportunities for life advancement compared to those aged 50 to 75. Young Russian speakers also acknowledge educational, cultural, and economic opportunities within the country.
Despite these opportunities, Kazoka expressed concern over persistent demographic divides. The sense of acceptance remains equally low among both younger and older residents who speak Russian at home.