Political changes in Latvia and in other post-socialist countries have led to a transition to market economy which in turn has caused several crises. One of them is that transition is characterized by considerable economical crises, as well as, by some socio-economical changes. Moreover these changes are reflected in demographical situation of Latvia. Naturally demographical processes are closely connected with the development of the state. The structure of population increase has changed since 1989. This could be explained by the fact that the growth of population was based on migration from other republics of the USSR until 1989. And only, approximately 1/3 of the whole population increase was caused by natural growth. At present emigration has been dominating in migration processes. Other tendency, that took place after 1991 was depopulation. Depopulation is affected by both factors: decrease of birth rate and increase of mortality. Since 1992 the natural growth has decreased in aggregate in the state both in cities and rural areas. Besides, the birth rate is low and continues to fall, whereas the death rate is high and continues to rise. Over the period 1989- 1994 we observe trends of changing birth rate more rapidly than mortality rate. (Krisjane, Eglite 1994). It is of importance to note that the state of environment has also changed along with political and economical changes of Latvia. ( see table 1.)

Special attention is paid to period from 1989 to 1994 in that report, because in that time the social- demographic date were changed more rapidly and there has been the biggest changes in the guality of life.