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Facts and figures

The State Medical Expertise Commission on Health and Working Capacities maintains a database on disability matters, including data about status (employed, unemployed), age, gender, kind of disability, severity of disability and others).

The State Social Insurance Agency performs the public administration functions in the area of social insurance and social services, maintains a data base on pension and social benefit receivers, amount of pensions, etc.

Data on employment indicate that:

The unemployment rate in Latvia in December 2006 was 6.2%, and 5.4% in December 2007 (compared with 7.6% and 6.8% for EU27). In December 2008 it was 7%, in January 2009 8.3%, and in February 9.5%. We have no separate register for disabled people.

Statistical data about employed and unemployed disabled people is weak and unreliable.

According to data from State Medical Expertise Commission on Health and Working Capacities only 13-14% of disabled people are employed. According to data from State Employment Agency during recent years to 2007 the number of people with disabilities registered as unemployed increased from 3,165 in 2003 to 3,367 in 2007 (1,810 women and 1,557).

The State Employment Agency registers and records unemployed persons and persons seeking employment, helps unemployed persons and job seekers to become involved in the labour market. Their database contains only general data on people with disabilities registered as employed persons or job seekers.

Data on education indicate that:

According to data from the Ministry of Education and Science the number of pupils in special schools and classes in the year 2008/2009 is 3.7% (8,760 from a general population of 236,223). Although this number is decreasing every year (from 10,169 in 2001/2) it has increased in percentage terms (from 3% in 2001/2002 to 3.7% in 2008/2009).

Data on accessibility indicate that:

The MeAC e-accessibility survey results for Latvia in 2007 showed that:

Only 1 out of 5 selected public websites passed the automatic evaluation (none passed both the automatic and manual evaluations). None of the sectoral/commercial websites passed even the automatic evaluation.

The main emergency number (112 or other) was not directly accessible by text telephone.

Neither of the two main mobile telephony operators provided eAccessibility-related information via their website. Neither of them offered models labelled as hearing aid compatible via their online sales.

Neither of the two main landline telephony operators provided eAccessibility-related information. Neither offered models labelled as hearing aid compatible via their online sales.

Of the two main public TV channels, in 2006, both provided some national language programs with subtitling. One provided programs with signing. Neither provided programs with audio description. Information about the TV access services provided was made available on the public broadcaster's website and via teletext.

Of the two main commercial TV channels, in 2006, both provided national language programs with subtitling. Neither provided programs with signing or programs with audio description.

Of the two main retail banks operating in the country, neither had installed talking ATMs. No plans to deploy talking ATMs were identified.

Data on poverty and incomes indicate that:

People with disabilities are recognised as a risk group subjected to poverty and social exclusion, but activities are planned using a mainstream approach. Disabled persons are mainly not treated as a separate group, there are no specific income policies for disabled and non-disabled people, with the exception that minimum level for disability pension is stated by the Law.

During the past year the inflation rate is growing, pensions remain on the previous level. The State social security benefit level for disabled persons from childhood is LVL 50 (€72) per month and these persons are living under the relative line of poverty. In the economic crises situation the Cabinet of Ministers plans to stop indexation of pensions.

Data on attitudes indicate that:

We do not currently have data on attitudes towards disability in Latvia (and Latvia was not included in the EU15 Eurobarometer 54.2 on the attitudes of Europeans).

The 2007 Special Eurobarometer on Discrimination in Europe showed that 62% of people knew someone who was disabled (compared to 55% EU average) and 82% acknowledged that being disabled tended to be disadvantage in society (EU average 79%).

Disability discrimination was viewed as widespread by 51% (EU average 53%); 30% thought that disability discrimination was more widespread than five years ago. 61% thought that not enough was being done to combat discrimination in general (EU average 51%).

72% thought that more disabled people should be in the workplace (EU average 74%) and 83% thought specific measures on equal opportunities were needed in this field.

Data on public spending indicate that:

In 2006, disability benefits accounted for 7.3% of all benefits expenditure (both cash and in kind benefits) compared to an EU27 average of 7.5% (European System of integrated Social Protection Statistics)