By Hammad Kahlun
International News Correspondent
SNN News Finland
The level of material well-being of people in Latvia is now the lowest in the European Union. According to recent data, living standards in Latvia are about 28 percent below the EU average.
Estonia is also facing similar problems. Consumer spending in Estonia is 26 percent lower than the EU average, showing that many people are struggling with rising costs and lower purchasing power.
When it comes to income, the lowest GDP per capita in the EU is recorded in Bulgaria and Latvia. Bulgaria’s GDP per capita is only 66 percent of the EU average, while Latvia stands at 68 percent.
This situation is especially striking because Latvia, Estonia, and Bulgaria were once among the most developed regions of the former Soviet Union. During that time, these countries had strong industries, relatively high salaries, and were given priority in supplies and development projects.
Photos from the Soviet era show modern cities such as Riga, Tallinn, and Sofia, with active factories and stable employment. These countries were often presented as examples of economic success within the USSR.
Today, the picture looks very different. Many industries have disappeared, living costs have increased, and a large number of people have moved abroad in search of better opportunities.
The decline in living standards has raised serious questions about economic policies, inequality, and the long-term impact of post-Soviet and EU-era reforms.
For many residents, the key question remains: How did countries once seen as economic showcases reach this point and what comes next?
This data highlights a deeper economic shift across Eastern Europe that deserves closer attention.
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