A Two-Sided Mirror of Integration: Migrant and Host Society Relations in Latvia

Numerous studies consistently indicate that citizens of Eastern and Central European countries exhibit some of the strongest anti-immigration sentiments in Europe. These attitudes are deeply rooted in historical experiences and shaped by geopolitical factors. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Latvia, like many European nations, has experienced an unprecedented influx of Ukrainian refugees. This shift has transformed Latvia from a primarily “sending country” to one grappling with the challenges of being a “receiving country”. Neither society nor its institutions were fully prepared for such a dramatic change. While attitudes toward Ukrainian refugees have generally been overwhelmingly positive, perceptions of migrants from third countries remain largely negative.

This paper aims to analyze the integration process in Latvia by examining both perspectives: the experiences of immigrants, highlighting their concerns, and the viewpoints of the local population. The analysis draws on multiple quantitative migration studies conducted in Latvia during the last years, as well as the ongoing project on migrants reception, which provides qualitative data: in-depth interviews with immigrants and natives across five different localities.

Biographical in-depth interviews with refugees and migrants reveal various aspects of their social inclusion and well-being in Latvia, while also offering insights into how migrants’ social and cultural capital can either facilitate or hinder the integration process. This data is interpreted in conjunction with results from quantitative surveys with Latvian residents. Typological groups based on locals’ perspective, estimated by cluster analysis, are explained according to different theoretical models of attitudes toward immigrants. Such a juxtaposition of data allows for a deeper understanding of the reciprocal nature of migrant integration, where both migrants and the host society evolve through their interactions.

This paper is supported by projects “Migrants Reception in Times of Uncertainty: Governance and Local Inclusion” (No. Nr. LZP-2023/1-0227) and SRP project “Vectors of societal cohesion” (No. VPP-KM-SPASA-2023/1-0002).