Groenewolf
06-18-2011, 12:17 PM
The Baltic Times (http://www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/28894/)
In five to ten years, Latvia will turn from emigration country to an immigration destination, demographer Ilmars Mezs announced on May 31 during a debate organized by Swedbank, reports Nozare.lv. Mezs pointed out that the latest census data confirm the alarming demographic situation, adding that the decrease in population will have a ‘domino effect,’ with no turning back. “If there was hope that the ‘domino effect’ will stop when Latvia’s population will drop to 1.5 million, I would not mention this issue today; however, given the current number of children per one woman, this process will not stop,” said Mezs. According to Mezs, Latvia will also experience mass immigration from Third World Countries. When the government approves benefit cuts, restrictions, it is also a decision that will affect future immigration… it is necessary to do everything possible so that families that decide to raise children would not face the risk of dropping below the poverty line, emphasized Mezs.
In five to ten years, Latvia will turn from emigration country to an immigration destination, demographer Ilmars Mezs announced on May 31 during a debate organized by Swedbank, reports Nozare.lv. Mezs pointed out that the latest census data confirm the alarming demographic situation, adding that the decrease in population will have a ‘domino effect,’ with no turning back. “If there was hope that the ‘domino effect’ will stop when Latvia’s population will drop to 1.5 million, I would not mention this issue today; however, given the current number of children per one woman, this process will not stop,” said Mezs. According to Mezs, Latvia will also experience mass immigration from Third World Countries. When the government approves benefit cuts, restrictions, it is also a decision that will affect future immigration… it is necessary to do everything possible so that families that decide to raise children would not face the risk of dropping below the poverty line, emphasized Mezs.