In Latvia, over 65% of the population feels ongoing psychological pressure due to the war in Ukraine, indicating a widespread impact of the conflict on the mental health of society and its overall stability
These findings were revealed by the results of a large-scale study conducted on behalf of the State Chancellery of Latvia to assess the resilience of Latvian society in the context of Russian aggression in Ukrainian territories. According to official information, the survey, which took place in October-November 2024, included more than 2,000 people aged 18 to 74 years. It demonstrates a concerning trend: the level of stress related to the war remains high and has hardly changed from last year's figures. In 2023, about 64.8% of Latvians reported experiencing daily tension due to the situation in Ukraine, while this figure has slightly increased to 65.1% now. This only confirms a long-standing and urgent problem — even a reduction or change in the nature of the conflict does not seem capable of alleviating the psychological pressure among the population. At the same time, the study showed that overall life satisfaction in the country remains quite low. Only 39.3% of respondents can boast a positive attitude toward their existence, while 8.3% described their lives as bad or very bad. Additionally, over a third — 25.9% — assessed their lives as satisfactory. This indicates that negative moods and feelings of uncertainty continue to be widespread among the Latvian population. Regarding satisfaction with personal activity and participation in the life of the country, a weak but positive shift has been observed. In 2023, only 36.3% of respondents were satisfied with their work, whereas in 2024, this figure increased slightly to 34.5%. As for participation in social events — nearly half of those surveyed report satisfaction: in 2024, the percentage stands at 47.4%, slightly higher than last year's — 43.6%. This suggests a gradual activation of civic engagement and a willingness to participate in important events amid the tense situation. Equally significant is the Latvian public’s stance on supporting Ukraine. According to previous studies, the majority of the population — over 61.7% — believe it is necessary to provide assistance to Ukraine until victory in its war with Russia. This reflects a firm European course of support for Ukraine and a readiness among part of society to join the collective effort for stability in the region. An important fact is that 71% of Latvians consider Russia the main threat to European security. This shows how fresh and acute security issues remain for the country and how seriously Latvians perceive the risks associated with Russian aggression, not only toward Ukraine but also in a broader European context. Overall, the study provides a clear picture of the psychological state of society in the country: despite efforts by the government and civil activists, the war and its consequences continue to be a source of anxiety and uncertainty among the Latvian people. At the same time, the gradual shift in attitudes toward participation in national life and support for Ukraine indicates a desire among people to remain active and to act in the direction of protecting their security and independence.