According to the Ministry of Welfare (MoW), there are currently 1 097 children listed in the adoption register in Latvia. Of these, 631 children do not consent to adoption, while only 102 potential adoptive families have approached the ministry for information, said Zita Veldze, Deputy Director of the Children and Family Policy Department, in a statement to the LETA news agency.
These families have not yet begun the adoption process but have contacted the MoW to learn more about adoptable children.
Veldze notes that the number of adoptions has been declining in recent years, possibly due to factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, employment instability, fluctuating income levels, the energy crisis, emotional uncertainty, and lifestyle changes.
She emphasized that the decision to bring a child into the family is influenced by the family’s financial capacity and psychological well-being, including concerns about financial stability in the current global climate.
“Due to today’s circumstances, people are more cautious about taking on caregiving responsibilities and are more anxious about whether their families can meet a child’s long-term needs,” Veldze said.
According to ministry data, prospective adoptive families typically wish to adopt one child between the ages of one and seven without significant health issues. However, of the 37 adoptable children in this age range listed in the register, only 11 are without health problems—and even they are part of sibling groups (siblings or half-siblings).
As of the 1st of April 2025, there were 711 registered foster families in Latvia, including those without children placed for justified reasons. In total, 1 374 children were under the care of foster families.
In contrast, 586 children remained in institutional care last year, most of whom—337—were teenagers aged 13 to 17, according to the MoW.
Some children in institutional care have severe trauma or health issues requiring specialized care. As a result, foster families may be hesitant or unprepared to take in children with developmental disorders or teenagers with behavioural and substance abuse issues.
Veldze stressed that there is still a significant shortage of foster families in Latvia, as the task is emotionally, financially, and practically demanding. Meanwhile, many potential adoptive families specifically want very young children (under seven), while most children in institutional care are older or in sibling groups, making it more difficult to place them in a single household.
The ministry does not track how many prospective adopters are undergoing adoption training.
The MoW believes that regular financial support to foster families, guardians, and adoptive families, along with ongoing reviews, makes a substantial impact and helps families better provide care. Therefore, the ministry will propose renewed support measures in 2026. These include raising foster family compensation, increasing payments to specialized foster families and guardians, and reviewing benefits for adoptive families.
There are also plans to increase maintenance allowances for children in foster or guardianship care and to introduce social security guarantees for guardians, including contributions for pension, unemployment, and disability insurance.
Additional support measures for specialized foster families are planned, such as health and liability insurance and access to respite care services.
The ministry asserts that these support initiatives will strengthen existing foster families and motivate those still considering the role to make the leap.
The MoW has already secured 0.6 million euros in funding to provide children in foster and specialized foster care with individual, needs-based support services to improve their health, development, and skills. Services will be tailored based on evaluations and recommendations from social workers and support centres.
This additional support will begin in the summer.
Last year, the ministry, in cooperation with out-of-family care support centres, launched a public campaign titled “Give Children a Loving Family!” aimed at encouraging people to become foster families, reduce the number of children in institutional care, and counter stereotypes about children without parental care.
The campaign findings highlight the need for diverse public information explaining the role of foster families and support centres, while addressing persistent misconceptions about both children in care and the families who take them in.
The ministry plans to continue similar outreach in 2025, with a particular focus on promoting the role of host families.
In parallel, work continues on the specialization of foster families, including the creation of specialized foster families for children with behavioural or addiction issues.