Latvia Faces Severe Shortage of Men as ‘Husband for an Hour’ Services Surge in Popularity
Latvia Faces Severe Shortage of Men as ‘Husband for an Hour’ Services Surge in Popularity
Latvia Faces Severe Shortage of Men as ‘Husband for an Hour’ Services Surge in Popularity
What sounds like a quirky social trend is actually rooted in a deep demographic crisis. Latvia, a small Baltic nation, is experiencing one of Europe’s most extreme gender imbalances — and it’s reshaping everything from dating to household maintenance.
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According to Eurostat, Latvia has 15.5% more women than men, over three times the European Union average. Among citizens aged 65 and above, the gap widens dramatically, with women nearly twice as many as men. This imbalance is visible everywhere — from workplaces and events to social gatherings and dating circles.
The Rise of the ‘Husband for an Hour’ Economy
With fewer men available at home and in social circles, Latvian women are increasingly turning to paid handyman services, popularly described as “husbands for an hour.”
As listed by Zee News, platforms like Komanda24 promote workers called “Men With Golden Hands,” offering help with plumbing, appliance repairs, furniture assembly, and other tasks. Another service, Remontdarbi.lv, promises a “husband for an hour” who can arrive within 60 minutes to handle quick home fixes.
For many women, these are not luxuries — but essential support in a country where the gender gap is affecting everyday life.
When Finding a Real Partner Becomes Difficult
The imbalance has also impacted relationships. Dania, a festival worker, shared with The New York Post that her workplace is almost entirely women. Her friend Zane added that many Latvian women are now seeking partners abroad because eligible men at home are so few.
Why Latvia Has So Few Men
Experts trace the shortage to long-standing health and lifestyle issues among Latvian men, such as:
- High smoking rates — 31% of men versus 10% of women
- Higher rates of being overweight
- Increased alcohol-related health problems
These habits have contributed to significantly lower life expectancy for men and a demographic imbalance that has been building for decades.
A Growing Global Trend?
The concept of renting a “husband” is not unique to Latvia. In 2022, a UK woman, Laura Young, gained attention for renting out her husband, James, for DIY and repair tasks. Their business became so popular that they often had to turn clients away, with rates ranging from $44 an hour to $280 for a full day.
Latvia’s situation, however, highlights a much larger issue — how societies adapt creatively when population gaps grow. In this case, necessity has sparked an entire “husband for hire” industry, stepping in to fill roles that everyday demographics can no longer meet.
Latvia Faces Severe Shortage of Men as ‘Husband for an Hour’ Services Surge in Popularity
