The latest Census in 2001 recorded 6,620 Latvia-born persons in Australia, a decrease of 18 per cent from the 1996 Census. The 2001 distribution by State and Territory showed
Victoria had the largest number with 2,120 followed by New South Wales (1,940), South Australia (1,040) and Queensland (710).

The median age of the Latvia-born in 2001 was 72.8 years ompared with 46.0 years for all overseas-born and 35.6 years for the total Australian population. The age distribution showed 0.8 per cent were aged 0-14 years, 1.8 per cent were 15-24 years, 2.3 per cent were 25-44 years, 26.6 per cent were 45-64 years and 68.6 per cent were 65 and over. Of the Latvia-born in Australia, there were 3,070 males (46.4 per cent) and 3,550 females (53.6 per cent). The sex ratio was 86.4 males per 100 females.

The age and gender distribution of the population, along with the significant decrease of numbers over time is of concern to members of the Latvia born community in Australia. Without a critical mass of new arrivals, community heritage organisations very often struggle to survive. Those who still need them and rely upon them find it difficult to keep up services as the population ages.

Sources used to compile this entry: Jupp, James (ed.), The Australian People: An Encyclopaedia of the Nation, Its People and Their Origins, 2 edn, Cambridge University Press, 2001; Putnins, A., Latvians in Australia, Australian National University Press, Canberra, 1981; Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA), Community Information Summary: The Latvia-born Community, Jointly produced by Multicultural Affairs Branch and the Economic and Demographic Analysis Section of DIMIA, 2003; The Latvian Community of South Australia, Pamphlet produced by the South Australian Migration Museum, Adelaide, 2003.