Latvian Citizens Reject Increase in Salaries for Highest-Ranking Government Officials, According to a Study
In a recent survey conducted by the market and public opinion research center SKDS, a majority of Latvian respondents expressed opposition to the proposed salary increase for top public officials in the 2025 draft budget.
The survey, which included 1,005 participants from all social groups, revealed that 85.3% of respondents do not support such a salary increase. Among this group, 65% of respondents with primary education and 92% of respondents in the Kurzeme region chose the answer "Should not be increased at all."
Interestingly, 10% of high-income earners also consider the decision to be correct, while only 11% of respondents aged between 18 and 24 feel the same way. However, among respondents who speak Russian in the family, 90% share the same sentiment.
The opposition to the salary hike is largely due to the challenging economic context in Latvia. The government is currently dealing with budget constraints and public sensitivity to financial issues affecting key sectors such as agriculture. In 2025, the country was coping with heavy economic and social pressures, such as the need to provide emergency aid to sectors like farming after extreme weather caused damage and losses.
This backdrop made salary increases for top officials appear particularly unpopular and tone-deaf. Citizens and some political voices likely view raising salaries for government leaders as inappropriate when ordinary sectors and public services are under strain and austerity measures or budget cuts are being considered.
The draft budget proposes to freeze the salaries of some categories of managerial staff, but could allow higher salary increases for senior public officials. The main increase in remuneration is expected in the home affairs sector, as well as in certain independent bodies and the courts.
However, it's worth noting that the draft budget reveals a 2.6% increase for the salaries of top officials. The President, members of the Cabinet of Ministers, and members of the Saeima could potentially receive higher salary increases under the formula of the remuneration system.
In a meeting on October 30, representatives of all factions of the Saeima discussed the proposed salary increases, with wages and wage increases being a main concern. In a promising move, the government has since promised not to increase the salaries of elected public officials for next year's state budget.
Despite the low survey support (8.9%), this low support likely reflects public concern over financial priorities during difficult times. The government's initial proposal has triggered resistance, explaining the dissonance between the survey results and the government's proposal.
- The opposition to the salary increase for top public officials, as proposed in the 2025 draft budget, is high among the Latvian public, particularly in the Kurzeme region and among those with primary education.
- The survey conducted by SKDS revealed that while 10% of high-income earners support the salary increase, a majority of 85.3% do not, including a notable 90% of Russian-speaking respondents.
- The discussion about the proposed salary increases for top officials, including the President, members of the Cabinet of Ministers, and members of the Saeima, has been a point of contention in the Saeima, with the government later promising not to increase their salaries for the next year's state budget, likely in response to public concern over financial priorities during challenging times.
