In 2024 , the Latvian residential real estate market showed moderate growth and stability despite global economic challenges.
In Riga, apartment prices increased by 5-7% year-on-year, while in other major cities, such as Daugavpils and Liepaja, the growth was around 3-4%.
Most transactions with new apartments in the capital were concluded in the price range of EUR 100,000 to 150,000, indicating a steady demand for mid-market housing.
In 2024, there was an increased interest in suburban real estate due to the changing preferences of buyers seeking more spacious and environmentally friendly housing.
However, the segment of new buildings saw a one-third decline in sales, while sales in the secondary market and in prefabricated buildings increased.
The rise in mortgage interest rates due to the increase in the Euribor rate led to a decline in real estate activity. Many buyers have taken a wait-and-see attitude, waiting for lending conditions to stabilize.
Experts expect the real estate market to revive in 2025. Lower interest rates and stabilization of the economic situation may stimulate demand for housing. The market is expected to become more dynamic, and buyers will be willing to invest in green architecture and energy-efficient housing.
However, the issue of prices will remain relevant, and buyers will have to choose between more spacious housing outside the city or smaller apartments in the center. All in all, 2025 promises to be a favorable year for the Latvian real estate market, with the possibility of increased activity and price stabilization.
Source: http://relocation.com.ua/analiz-rynku-zhytlovoi-nerukhomosti-la/
The map below shows the number of prisoners per 100,000 inhabitants in different countries of the world in 2023. The data allows us to identify several main groups of countries by the level of “imprisonment”.
Leaders in the number of prisoners
The absolute leader in terms of the number of prisoners is the United States, where there are 664 prisoners per 100,000 inhabitants.
High incarceration rate
This category includes countries with more than 200 prisoners per 100,000 people. Among them:
– Thailand (445)
– Brazil (357)
– Turkey (335)
– Russia (329)
– Iran (228)
Medium (100-200 prisoners per 100,000 people)
Most countries in Europe and Asia fall into this category. For example:
– Poland (188)
– Serbia (152)
– Ukraine (129)
– Spain (122)
Low incarceration rate (less than 100 people per 100,000 inhabitants)
This group includes countries with relatively lenient criminal justice systems or low crime rates:
– Norway (54)
– Germany (69)
– Austria (95)
– Japan (38)
Source: https://t.me/relocationrs/607
The Slovenian industrial giant Cimos, known in the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia for the production of Citroën cars, plans to close its plant in Slovenia and move production to Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to Dnevnik, a layoff program has been prepared that does not suit the representatives of the Union of Employees of the Metallurgical and Electrical Industry of Slovenia (SKEI) for the Kras and Primorska and Primorska regions.
According to Saša Ristić, the program was recognized as unprofessional because it did not specify the specific positions that would be retained. He noted that this is the worst layoff program he has ever seen.
Cimos has long been planning to move production to Gradac (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Kikinda (Serbia). However, according to Ristić, this move is controversial because management should have first informed the works council, which did not happen, although the relocation of production is the official reason for the layoffs.
Cimos has had a plant in Hradac for many years. Ristić explained that the upcoming layoffs are also related to the planned relocation of production. He told Dnevnik that the Cimos management requires the trade union and the works council to give their urgent consent to the dismissals.
Of the 175 employees to be laid off, about 120 work in Senožec, while the rest are employed at Cimos’ production sites in Maribor and Vuzenice.
About Cimos
Cimos is a Slovenian company specializing in the production of components for the automotive industry. In 2020, the company was acquired by the German investment fund Mutares.
Financial results
As of 2022, Cimos’s revenue amounted to about 200 million euros. The company continues to work on improving efficiency and expanding production capacity.
Products and customers
Cimos produces a variety of components for the automotive industry, including braking systems, suspensions, and powertrains. The company’s customers include automakers such as Renault, PSA Group and Volkswagen.
Exports.
Cimos products are exported to various European countries, including Germany, France, and Italy.
Source: https://t.me/relocationrs/606
In the European Union, 3.67 million children were born in 2023, according to the EU Statistical Office (Eurostat). This is 5.4% lower than in 2022, when the number of newborns was 3.88 million.
The figure is the lowest since data collection began in 1961, and the year-on-year drop was also a record for this period. The highest number of children was born in 1964 – 6.8 million.
In 2023, the total fertility rate (the average number of children born per woman in her lifetime) fell to a record low of 1.38, compared to 1.46 the previous year.
Source: https://t.me/relocationrs/593
Economic development forecasts for the Netherlands for 2025 point to moderate growth, driven by domestic demand and investment.
According to the forecasts of the Central Planning Bureau of the Netherlands (CPB), after an expected modest economic growth of 0.6% in 2024, the country’s GDP could increase by 1.6% in 2025.
According to the Central Bank of the Netherlands (DNB), inflation in the country in 2025 is projected at around 3% per year, which is higher than the eurozone average.
In 2025, the Dutch government plans revenues of €425.1 billion and expenditures of €457 billion, which will lead to a budget deficit of about 2.5% of GDP, which is in line with European Union standards.
The Netherlands’ exports, which are a key driver of the economy, are expected to reach €70.5 billion in 2025.
According to forecasts, the growth of housing prices in the Netherlands will slow down from 13% in 2024 to 8-10% in 2025 and 6-8% in 2026.
Economic growth in the Netherlands may be at risk if trade conflicts escalate, especially between the United States and the European Union. The possible imposition of high import duties and retaliatory measures could negatively affect the country’s exports and investments.
In general, the outlook for the Dutch economy in 2025 remains positive, but the country should be prepared for possible external challenges and adapt its policies to the changing global economic situation.
Source: http://relocation.com.ua/forecast-economic-development-neder/
The Netherlands, which has traditionally attracted migrants from all over the world, continues to show a steady increase in the number of foreigners on its territory. This growth is driven by both the country’s economic potential and a well-developed social security system. Let’s look at the main groups of migrants, their role in the economy, and demographic trends related to migration.
As of the beginning of 2025, the population of the Netherlands is about 18 million people. According to official data, about 25% of the country’s population is of migrant origin (including the first and second generation of migrants). In recent years, direct population growth due to migration has consistently exceeded 100 thousand people annually.
Several groups can be distinguished in the structure of migrants.
Migrants from the European Union
The largest share of migrants is made up of citizens of EU countries, in particular Poland, Romania and Bulgaria. Polish migrants, whose number exceeds 200,000, occupy leading positions, especially in agriculture, construction, and logistics.
Middle East and Africa
Migrants from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and North Africa make up a significant group. Many of them came to the Netherlands as refugees. The number of Syrians in the country is estimated at almost 100 thousand people. The main focus is on their integration through vocational training and language learning programs.
Migrants from Turkey and Morocco
Traditional migration communities in the Netherlands include Turks and Moroccans, many of whom moved in the 1960s and 1970s. Today, they number around 400 thousand people (each group) and play an important role in small businesses and services.
South Asia
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of migrants from India and Pakistan, who work mainly in the IT sector and other highly skilled industries. The number of Indians has exceeded 50,000, and this group demonstrates significant potential for the country’s economic growth.
Latin America and the Caribbean
Former colonies of the Netherlands, such as Suriname, Curacao and Aruba, have had a strong historical influence on migration flows. Citizens of these territories have easier access to the country, making them a significant group.
Ukrainians
Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022, the number of Ukrainian migrants has increased dramatically. As of the end of 2024, there are, according to various estimates, 70 to 100 thousand Ukrainian citizens in the Netherlands. They are actively engaged in agriculture, healthcare, and logistics.
Over the past ten years, the population of the Netherlands has grown by almost 1.2 million people. The main factor behind this growth is migration. While in the early 2010s, population growth was driven by both natural increase and migration, in recent years the contribution of migrants has become dominant. Significant changes in the structure of the population are also observed by age categories. Migrants from youth groups (18-35 years old) significantly reduce the problem of aging of the nation, which is acute for many European countries. Migrants play an important role in such industries as:
By 2030, experts predict a further increase in the number of migrants, due to both the ongoing inflow of labor migrants and global challenges such as climate change and international conflicts. The Netherlands remains one of the most open countries in Europe, able to integrate foreigners effectively.
Source: http://relocation.com.ua/analiz-mihratsii-ta-hrup-mihrantiv-u-ni/
