Riga, Oct 6 (LETA) - In the first half of the year, EUR 16.5 million were spent on social benefits in Riga, which is slightly less than half of the funds allocated for this purpose, according to information compiled by the Welfare Department of Riga City Council.

Of this amount, EUR 3.43 million were spent on Ukrainian residents.

A total of EUR 34.7 million are earmarked for social benefits in 2025. Of this, EUR 26.2 million will be spent on residents of Riga and EUR 8.48 million on residents of Ukraine.

In the first half of 2025, 23,164 persons received social benefits, 19,474 of them residents of Riga and 3,690 residents of Ukraine.

Compared to the first half of last year, the total number of recipients of social benefits has decreased by 2 percent or 456 persons, while the amount spent on social benefits has decreased by 5 percent or EUR 834,997.