RIGA, Nov 5 (LETA) - According to the annual survey on use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in households carried out by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB), the digital environment in Latvia continues to develop - an increasing number of residents use electronic identification (88.9 percent) and artificial intelligence (35.1 percent), and one in five (20.1 percent) evaluates and verifies information available online.

Statistical data show that in 2025, 35.1 percent of internet users in Latvia had used artificial intelligence (AI). AI was primarily used for personal purposes (28 percent), 15.5 percent of residents reported using AI for work, and 8.2 percent applied AI in the educational process. Males used AI slightly more actively than females - 3.7 percentage points more (males - 37.1 percent and females - 33.4 percent).

The most active AI users are individuals in the 16-24 age group - 72.7 percent use AI, both for personal purposes (54.6 percent) and for studies (42.4 percent). Statistical data show that the frequency of AI use decreases among elderly internet user groups; however, 12.1 percent of residents (55-64 years) and 5.7 percent of seniors (65-74 years) use AI tools.

More than eight out of ten pupils and students (85.5 percent) use AI - most actively in the learning process (63 percent) and for personal purposes (58.6 percent). Employed persons used AI slightly more actively than unemployed ones (employed - 37 percent and unemployed - 31.8 percent), with AI being used most actively for work and professional purposes (20.2 percent).

The most active AI users are residents of the Riga region (42.5 percent), who use AI for personal purposes (34.4 percent), professional (work) purposes (20.5 percent), and studies (9.8 percent). In terms of AI usage activity, the Riga region is followed by internet users in Zemgale - 31 percent, Vidzeme - 28.1 percent, Kurzeme - 27.5 percent, and slightly fewer in Latgale - 26.4 percent.

Out of 64.9 percent of internet users in Latvia who do not currently use artificial intelligence, 42.3 percent mention lack of need to use AI in daily life as the main reason, 11.9 percent - lack of knowledge and skills to use it, and 7 percent stated that they were not aware of such technology at all. Only a small share (1.8 percent) indicated that they avoid using AI due to data security and privacy concerns.

Electronic identification has become a part of everyday life for almost 90 percent of internet users in Latvia

Electronic identification (eID) in Latvia has become an integral part of the digital environment, providing secure and convenient online verification of personal identity. According to the survey data for 2025, the use of eID in Latvia is very widespread - 88.9 percent of internet users have used it in the past 12 months. 80.3 percent of internet users have used eID to access private sector services, while 71.5 percent have used it for municipal, state, and public services.

There are no significant gender differences in eID usage - 90.1 percent of females and 87.6 percent of males reported using eID in the past 12 months; 73.7 percent of females and 69.1 percent of males used state and municipal e-services, and 80.5 percent of females and 80 percent of males used private sector services.

eID is used most actively by the younger generation - 95.3 percent of those aged 25 to 34 years use it, while usage is less widespread in older age groups. Among employed persons, 93.8 percent use eID, highlighting the importance of this tool both at work and for accessing everyday services.

Today, the internet is the primary source of information for most of society; however, alongside its widespread availability, the volume of false, misleading, or unverified information is also increasing. Therefore, the ability of users to critically assess online content becomes especially important - to distinguish reliable sources from doubtful ones, verify facts, and avoid spreading misinformation. The results of the survey 2025 show that one in five, or 20.1 percent, of internet users have verified the accuracy of information (21.5 percent of males, 18.8 percent of females). This is most often done by evaluating the source of the information or searching for additional information (18.2 percent), as well as by consulting with others or using alternative sources (6.2 percent). A small part (3.7 percent) have verified information by participating in or following online discussions.

Statistical data show that younger residents verify information more frequently - 30.9 percent of those aged 16-24 and 29.9 percent of those aged 25-34 check whether the information they see online is accurate. In contrast, among elderly residents (65-74 years), only 8.2 percent of users verify the accuracy of information.

The data show that verifying information is more common among residents with higher education (26.6 percent). It is interesting that residents with primary education or lower (17.8 percent) verify the reliability of information more often than those with secondary education (15.6 percent). This can be explained by the fact that this group also includes young people who are still studying and are generally more digitally active.

Analyzing the data by region, it is evident that internet users in the Riga region approach online information more critically than in other regions of Latvia - 25.6 percent of users verify the accuracy of information, and 23.9 percent assess the reliability of sources. In other regions of Latvia, a similar share of internet users verify the accuracy of information online, with higher rates in Latgale (18.2 percent), followed by Kurzeme - 14.7 percent, Vidzeme - 13.7 percent, and Zemgale - 13.3 percent.

One-third of internet users (29.2 percent) encounter offensive content online

In the digital environment, residents increasingly encounter various negative phenomena, including offensive, humiliating, or aggressive content. Such cases may include verbal insults, threats, hostile comments, or other emotionally harmful behavior online. In 2025, one-third (29.2 percent) of internet users in Latvia encountered offensive or aggressive content online. Most often, such content was related to political or social views (23.9 percent), followed by race or ethnic background (11.5 percent) and belonging to the LGBTIQ+ community (9.2 percent). Offensive content was comparatively less often directed at gender (5.8 percent), religion or belief (5.7 percent), age (3.7 percent), and disability (3 percent).

The results of the survey 2025 show that internet use has become universal - 93.6 percent of Latvia’s residents use it regularly, with particularly rapid growth among elderly age groups. While nearly all individuals aged 16-44 use the internet (over 97 percent), 89.7 percent of those aged 55-64 use it, and 77.8 percent of those aged 65-74, representing more than a twofold increase over the past decade. At the same time, online shopping is also increasing - 75.2 percent of Latvia’s residents have made purchases online, and more than half (54.1 percent) do so on a regular basis. The most active purchasers are residents aged 25-34 (72.2 percent), while activity decreases with age, even seniors are increasingly using online shopping. These data indicate that the digital environment is becoming increasingly inclusive, encompassing both younger and older generations.