News
The Gender Pay Gap in Latvia: A Real Problem or a Misunderstood Statistic?
2026/03/06
Each year, as International Women’s Day approaches, the question of women’s and men’s opportunities in the labour market resurfaces—particularly the issue of equal pay. This year is especially significant, as the EU Pay Transparency Directive will come into force in Latvia in June (the Ministry of Welfare is currently preparing national legislation to implement the directive). The directive aims to strengthen mechanisms that ensure equal pay for men and women for the same work or work of equal value. As a result, these principles will no longer be merely a subject of discussion in Latvia - they will become a concrete obligation.
Why Do Women Still Have to Choose Between Being a “Good Mother” and an “Effective Leader”?
2026/03/04
In March, as we mark International Women’s Day, public discourse often focuses on women’s achievements, inspiring leadership stories, and equal opportunities. In international rankings, Latvia frequently appears to perform well: women have high levels of education, strong participation in the labor market, and formally equal rights. Yet, despite these indicators, women remain underrepresented in top executive roles. This creates a paradox: why, in a country with strong formal gender equality metrics, do women so rarely reach the highest levels of leadership? The answer does not lie in women’s competence or ambition. Research shows that barriers emerge at multiple levels - societal, organizational, and individual - and these layers reinforce one another
Is Generation Z Really Lazy and Too Demanding Toward Employers?
2026/02/10
Generation Z - often referred to as Gen Z or “zoomers” - is surrounded by a wide range of stereotypes, particularly when it comes to their attitude toward work. They are frequently described as lazy, unwilling to work overtime, overly demanding toward employers, and ready to quit their jobs at the first sign of dissatisfaction. In reality, Generation Z is simply better at setting healthy boundaries and prioritising work-life balance. There is a lot that other generations can learn from them.
Baltic salary markets in 2026: similar salary increases, different labour-market realities
2026/01/30
Figure’s forecast survey tells us that looking ahead to 2026, the Baltic countries appear, at first glance, to be moving in sync, but labour market dynamics are diverging according to perceived economic realities of the last few years. Salary growth is slowing down across the Baltics, and inflation is no longer the dominant driver of pay decisions. Employers across Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are approaching the year with cautious optimism rather than urgency, being more optimistic towards the south of the region.
“Figure” Forecast Survey: Base Salaries Expected to Increase by 4.2% in 2026
2026/01/12
In 2025, average monthly base salaries increased by 6.2%, showing a slower pace of growth compared to previous years. A further deceleration is expected in 2026: the forecasted increase in monthly base salaries is 4.2%, while total annual remuneration is projected to rise by 4.4%, according to the Forecast Survey conducted by the remuneration research and management consulting company Figure Baltic Advisory. The current forecast is more moderate than the projection made in the summer of last year (4.6%).