THIS Country Is Running Out Of Men: Women Are ‘Renting Husbands’ Due To A Massive Man Shortage | World News
A Country Where Men Are Extinct: There is a drought in Latvia caused by people, not rain. The tiny Baltic nation is struggling with one of the most severe gender imbalances in Europe, leading to an unexpected social change: women are hiring “husbands” to handle basic household chores.
According to Eurostat, there are 15.5% more women than men in Latvia, more than three times the EU average. According to World Atlas, the gap widens significantly for women over 65; They outnumber men by almost two to one. The imbalance is evident everywhere: workplaces, events, even dating pools.
The Rise of the ‘One Hour Husband’ Economy
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With fewer men at home or in social circles, practical needs have led to a rapid increase in hired handyman services. Platforms like Komanda24 offer skilled workers, “Men with Golden Hands,” who fix plumbing, assemble TVs, repair appliances or assemble furniture; No need for awkward conversations.
Another popular service, Remontdarbi.lv, promises a “husband for an hour” who can arrive in 60 minutes to install curtains, paint walls or perform quick repairs.
For many Latvian women, these services are not a luxury, but essential.
When It Gets Hard to Find a True Partner
Dania, who works at music festivals, told The New York Post that her workplace is made up almost entirely of women. While the atmosphere is friendly, she agrees that a more balanced gender ratio would make life more dynamic. Her friend Zane shared that many Latvian women even travel abroad to find partners because suitable men are so scarce.
Why Are There So Few Men in Latvia?
Experts say lifestyle habits play an important role. Life expectancy of Latvian men is lower for the following reasons:
1. Higher smoking rates: 31% in men, 10% in women
2. There is a high probability of being overweight
3. Higher rates of alcohol-related health problems
These factors have resulted in a long-term demographic curve that is now reshaping daily life.
Not Only Latvia, The Trend Is Growing
Interestingly, the concept of rented husbands is not entirely new. In 2022, Laura Young, living in the United Kingdom, went viral for hiring her husband James to do odd jobs. Their business, Rent My Handy Husband, became so successful that they had to reject new customers. James charges $44 per hour or $280 for a full day for jobs like decorating, DIY, flooring and more.
A New Kind of Normal
Latvia’s demographic crisis may be extreme, but it underscores a broader trend: When society becomes unstable, people find creative and sometimes surprising ways to adapt. In this case, that means an industry that has developed around the idea of a “husband for an hour.”
