Latvia Faces Gender Imbalance
Growing Demand for Household Services Like Plumbing, Carpentry, and Repairs
The "Rent a Husband for an Hour" service, which provides help with various household tasks such as plumbing, carpentry, and repairs, is gaining popularity among women in Latvia. As one of the Nordic countries and a filming location for Korean movies such as "Harbin," Latvia is experiencing a serious gender imbalance.
According to the New York Post and other sources on December 5 (local time), the shortage of men in Latvia has led to a growing trend of women hiring men by the hour to handle household chores. In Latvia, there are 15.5% more women than men, which is more than three times higher than the European Union (EU) average.
While there are slightly more men under the age of 30, the gender imbalance becomes pronounced in the 30s and 40s. Among those aged 65 and older, the number of women is double that of men, and the average life expectancy gap between men and women is 11 years-the largest among EU countries.
Experts point to health issues and lifestyle habits among Latvian men as the main causes of this gender imbalance. The smoking rate among Latvian men is 31%, about three times higher than that of women, and the proportion of overweight or obese men is 62%, compared to 57% for women.
"Macho culture" and depression are also cited as factors contributing to the imbalance. Agris Liksts, a computer technician, explained, "Macho culture encourages risky behavior, and there is a prevailing attitude that drinking heavily is considered more masculine."
One Latvian woman told the media, "Ninety-eight percent of my coworkers are women. While that's not necessarily a bad thing, I wish there were more men I could talk to or feel attracted to for balance. Most of my friends are dating foreign men."
As the shortage of men intensifies, a culture of easily booking the "Rent a Husband for an Hour" service via online platforms or phone has taken root in Latvia. Once booked, a man visits within an hour to assist with plumbing, carpentry, repairs, TV installation, and other household chores, making it a practical solution for single women.
Companies offering this service are fully booked for months at a time. James, who runs "Rent My Handy Husband" and personally handles a variety of tasks such as DIY projects, painting, decorating, tiling, and carpet installation, said, "I charge $44 per hour (about 60,000 won) and about $280 for a full day (about 410,000 won). Last month, I was so fully booked that I had to turn down some reservations."
Meanwhile, Latvia endured significant hardships throughout its history, having been ruled by neighboring powers such as Germany and Sweden before gaining independence in 1918. After being incorporated into the Soviet Union as a result of World War II in 1945, Latvia regained independence in 1991. Most Latvians have painful memories of losing family members or being exiled to Siberia during the Soviet era.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
