Due to a severe shortage of men in Latvia, women are increasingly turning to "husbands for an hour" to help with household chores.
Modern.az reports that this was stated in information from "The Post" newspaper.
According to the latest Eurostat report, women in Latvia outnumber men by 15.5% – a figure more than three times the European Union average.
According to "World Atlas", among the population aged 65 and over in Latvia, women also outnumber men by two to one.
As a result, suitable male candidates for women have literally become scarce in the country.
Danya, a woman working at festivals, stated in an interview with "Sun" newspaper that 98% of her colleagues are women.
"There's no problem with that... but I would like more men to flirt or just chat to balance the situation," she said regretfully.
"It would be more interesting. Due to the shortage of men, all my friends went abroad and found boyfriends there," added Danya's friend, Zeyn.
To fill the "male gap" in Latvia, women are turning to services that allow them to hire a "husband for an hour" to help with household chores, similar to Denmark.
The Remontdarbi.lv service has made it possible for women to request a "husband for an hour" online or by phone, and they arrive at the requested address within an hour.
Similar platforms like "Komanda24" are experiencing a boom in Latvia. Women can "hire" "Golden-handed men" from these platforms for a few euros for plumbing, carpentry, repairs, or TV installation – all without awkward meetings or dating.
When a "husband for an hour" arrives, they do everything: paint walls, fix curtains, and perform other household chores, helping to alleviate the shortage of men in the country.
So why is there such a sharp gender imbalance in Latvia?
Experts attribute this to men having significantly shorter lifespans due to health problems and lifestyle choices.
"Men are almost three times more likely to smoke – 31% of men smoke, compared to 10% of women. Men are also slightly more likely to be obese or overweight: 62% of men compared to 57% of women," states "World Atlas".
The idea of "husband rental" has become popular not only in Latvia but also worldwide.
This practice became widespread in 2022 after Laura Young, a mother of three, began "renting out" her husband James to other women to perform household chores for an additional fee.
Some women's lucrative business, called "Rent My Handy Husband," covers all types of home repairs, painting, decorating, tiling, and carpet laying.
42-year-old James's payment of $44 per hour and approximately $280 per day for the entire month of November has been fully booked. The couple notes that demand is so high that they sometimes have to refuse orders.
A.Qorxmaz
