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Latvia has been receiving critical remarks from international institutions in regard to high level of social inequality of various groups in the society. Statistical data indicate that the society of Latvia has to address serious challenges in social inclusion, including several aspects in health care. The aim of the paper is to propose possible solutions for social inclusion of different society groups, especially in relation to health care aspects and including application of life-long-learning for health care for several society groups. Research approach to the problem: analysis of data obtained in representative survey 9280 respondents: health condition self-evaluation analysis by regions, by gender, by administrative territory, by age groups, by economic activity and by education level, as well as survey of social service representatives in municipalities in Latvia. For a more thorough data analysis (used evaluation scale 1-5) indicators of descriptive statistics are applied; cross – tabulations; testing of statistical hypotheses with t-test and analysis of variance – ANOVA; correlation analysis. Research results indicate that the use of more diverse approaches of social marketing and life-long-education programs to inform and educate various groups of society on health care aspects might produce beneficial effects to decrease social inequality of different society groups., The research was supported by the NATIONAL RESEARCH PROGRAMME “LATVIAN HERITAGE AND FUTURE CHALLENGES FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE STATE” project “CHALLENGES FOR THE LATVIAN STATE AND SOCIETY AND THE SOLUTIONS IN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT" (INTERFRAME-LV, Project No.VPP-IZM-2018/1-0005).

Social inclusion and reduction of inequalities is becoming an increasingly topical problem in a range of OECD countries, due to the demographic structure of inhabitants and inequality of income, in many cases depending on labour contribution taking into account skills and competence often lacking for part of population gaining education many years ago. Big share of this part of the population currently is not able to keep the speed of technology development and increase of requirements for digital skills and internet use. The aim of the current research is to investigate possible solutions to address social inclusion by possible involvement in the labour market of different groups at risk – based on provision of digital skills, computer availability, as well as health conditions by regions in Latvia, by age groups, by gender, by employability status. The tasks of the research: analyse recent scientific findings on innovative approaches on involvement of different groups of inhabitants being at poverty risk into labour market and social inclusion, making them feel as valuable and esteemed members of the society; analyse data of several survey results: EU-SILC; Labour Force Survey and Survey on ICT skills for different groups of society in Latvia; analyse tendencies on Internet use in Latvia by gender. Main research methods – analysis of previous conducted research results reflected in scientific publications and policy analysis documents; analysis of data of EU-SILC and Labour Force Surveys as well as survey results on ICT skills on aspects of digitalisation and willingness to be involved in training and improvement of skills to avoid social exclusion and poverty. Findings – different regions have different results in digital literacy, however, implementation of innovative approaches in inhabitants’ involvement in labour market help to avoid or diminish social exclusion., The research was supported by the NATIONAL RESEARCH PROGRAMME “LATVIAN HERITAGE AND FUTURE CHALLENGES FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE STATE” project “CHALLENGES FOR THE LATVIAN STATE AND SOCIETY AND THE SOLUTIONS IN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT" (INTERFRAME-LV, Project No.VPP-IZM-2018/1-0005).

The research was supported by the NATIONAL RESEARCH PROGRAMME “LATVIAN HERITAGE AND FUTURE CHALLENGES FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE STATE” project “CHALLENGES FOR THE LATVIAN STATE AND SOCIETY AND THE SOLUTIONS IN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT" (INTERFRAME-LV, Project No.VPP-IZM-2018/1-0005)., Social inclusion and the reduction of inequalities are becoming an increasingly pressing problem in a number of OECD countries with changes in population demographic patterns: population ageing and income inequality. The development of the free market leads to income inequalities and social problems such as unemployment, the "shadow" economy, the loss of membership of a community group, self-development. Initially, by creating solutions to problems, economic inequalities for different groups of society are being investigated, by analysing housing spending, the possibilities to overcome challenging economic and social problems by comparing data by region and territory in Latvia. Housing aspects are influencing social inclusion and quality of life. To those aspects are developed many research in many countries and finding different good practices and innovative solutions which could be useful for many other countries. Aim of the research is to investigate the role of housing for social inclusion and analyse statistical data in Latvia by regions, by administrative territories (cities and rural areas) and by household size. Research methods applied in current research: analysis of scientific findings reflected in scientific publications, analysis of differences in regions in Latvia, analysis of differences by territories in Latvia (cities and rural areas), analysis of differences by household size by testing statistical hypotheses with t – test and analysis of variance – ANOVA., INTERFRAME-LV, Project No.VPP-IZM-2018/1-0005

Latvia in international comparisons is among the countries with rather low average income for households but rather high differences in income in households, especially in highest income households (richest quintile) characterised with significant indicators of variability in euro zone countries by Household and Consumption Survey conducted buy Bank of Latvia by methodology of European Central Bank in all eurozone countries and according EU- SILC (European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions) data. This current research is devoted to analysis of development of income and variability of income of households in Latvia in comparison with other OECD countries and eurozone countries. Research methods used: scientific publications and previous conducted research analysis, analysis of Household and Consumption Survey data, EU-SILC data on differences in income depending household size, from regions and from territory (urban/rural), interviews of regional authorities on various income inequality reduction arrangements and applications in regions with lower income level. Data analysis methods: descriptive statistics (indicators of central tendency or location – arithmetic mean and median, indicators of variability – standard deviations, standard error of mean), cross-tabulations of household income by regions, by household size, by territories, testing of statistical hypotheses on differences of arithmetic means by analysis of variance (ANOVA) for significance of income differences by regions and by household size. Results of analysis has indicated that Latvia has significant challenges where several innovative approaches could be applied to find best solutions for income inequality decrease and increase of overall satisfaction with life and support for economic development of the country., The research was supported by the NATIONAL RESEARCH PROGRAMME “LATVIAN HERITAGE AND FUTURE CHALLENGES FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE STATE” project “CHALLENGES FOR THE LATVIAN STATE AND SOCIETY AND THE SOLUTIONS IN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT" (INTERFRAME-LV, Project No.VPP-IZM-2018/1-0005)

Expansion of business creates globalization, which should be balanced by the localization and development of adequate changes in education. Aim of the paper is to find the ways to solve the social problems linked with the globalization. The review of the existing problems reveals many shortcomings of the classical “free market” theory. The increased speed of exchange of information demands special care to improve the accessibility and quality of education, using life-long learning and distance education. The appropriate attitudes, skills and knowledge should be proposed to support innovations, localization of economics and organization of interaction between employers, employees and other involved parties (state authorities, local communities) to cope with the future challenges. Research methods used in this paper are scientific publications and previous research analysis, statistical data analysis for the critical evaluation of social structure, interaction of people and possibilities for the cooperation. The dispersed knowledge, necessary for the successful action of economics belong to different actors. Creation of trust between all involved actors becomes more important now. Education must give not only skills and knowledge, but also attitudes and morality. All stakeholders of the education system should participate to support changes in education and lifelong learning according to the fast changes in the social structure. The main part of the interaction should be informal. Cooperation and negotiations, using local networks, are the most effective way to receive the knowledge and skills and to create trust and motivation. Innovations should be linked with the development of local networks and other necessary changes in the social structure. Informal regulations, trust and morality should support management. Humanities, art and philosophy must be used by the education system to form the attitudes and motivation.

Latvia is often critisised by international institutions on rising gap for income differences in several social groups. This current research is devoted to analyse of role of education and training on income level. Research methods used: scientific publications and previous conducted research analysis, analysis of EU-SILC data on differences in income depending from education level, from regions and from territory (urban/rural), interviews of regional authorities on life-long training arrangements and applications in regions with lower income level. Data analysis methods: descriptive statistics (indicators of central tendency or location, indicators of variability), cross-tabulations of household income by regions, by education level, by territories, testing of statistical hypotheses on differences of arithmetic means by t-test, by analysis of variance (ANOVA) for significance of income differences by regions and by education level. Results of analysis has indicated that several innovative approaches could be applied to find best solutions for income difference decrease and increase of overall satisfaction with life., The research was supported by the NATIONAL RESEARCH PROGRAMME “LATVIAN HERITAGE AND FUTURE CHALLENGES FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE STATE” project “CHALLENGES FOR THE LATVIAN STATE AND SOCIETY AND THE SOLUTIONS IN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT" (INTERFRAME-LV, Project No.VPP-IZM-2018/1-0005)