The first Population Census was conducted in Kurzeme region in 1863, but in the cities of Vidzeme region- in 1867. The most comprehensive Population Census in 19th century was conducted in 1881. It included Kurzeme and Vidzene regions. First Population Census including all the territory of Latvia within its current boarders was conducted in 1897.
Since the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia, in the period between World War I and World War II, four Population Censuses were conducted in the country: in 1920, 1925, 1930 and in1935. At that time great attention was dedicated to the quality and accuracy of the data.
After the World War II, similarly to other Baltic States which were included in the USSR, four Population Censuses were conducted - in 1959, 1970, 1979 and in 1989. Data of these Population Censuses were mostly used for the planning purposes. They were not available to residents and in general usage publications; especially it concerns Population Census data of 1979.
In Population Censuses of the Soviet period information on the major part of questions, recommended by United Nations and other international organizations, was obtained. Data of these Population Censuses were important for statisticians and scientists for displaying dynamics of demographic and socio-economic processes, and were useful in international comparisons and publications although these data weren’t entirely comparable. Scientists encountered problems in comparing data of socio-economic status of the residents in breakdowns by main source of livelihood, social groups, kind of economic activity, occupation, etc.
The 2000 Population Census was first Population Census since renewal of independence of Latvia. Its aim was to obtain comprehensive and reliable information on the number, composition, occupations, sources of livelihood of the residents. Information on the dwelling of residents and, other indicators included in the Population Census Programme on every city, town and rural municipality (the smallest rural administrative unit) had to be collected in circumstances when economic situation, structure of population and demographic processes had changed drastically. In this Population Census part of the information was obtained by Population Census interviewers visiting residents at their homes, but the rest of the information was obtained from administrative and statistical registers.
