Against the backdrop of events in recent years, the year 2025 can hardly be called dramatic. At the same time, statistical data, current events in various sectors, and observations from "Diena" show that the gap between successful and less successful industries, and between richer and poorer municipalities is becoming increasingly noticeable, and along with this gap, financial inequality in society is growing.
In its time, the institutions of the European Union (EU) spoke of a "Europe of two speeds," referring to the economically strong states in the north and west of the EU and the economically weak states in the south and east of the EU. This year, more than before, there has been an impression that a "Latvia of two speeds" is forming. Assessing the situation on an individual level, one could say that if you are a resident of Riga working in the finance or information technology sector, the wealth in the country may seem much higher to you than if you are a resident of Latgale earning a living through seasonal work.
Evidence of the formation of a "Latvia of two speeds" is provided by data from the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) on wages. In the third quarter of this year, the average gross salary was 1835 euros. Regionally, the highest average gross salary in the third quarter of this year was in Riga and the Riga region - 2008 euros, while the lowest was in Latgale, at 1329 euros. Thus, the difference in average salary between Riga and Latgale is 33.8%. Latgale also has the highest unemployment rate, and this is not just a trend of recent years; the geopolitical situation cannot be blamed for this.
