Latvia, the Baltic nation known for its pine forests, folk songs, and medieval charm, now has a new-and far more unexpected-claim to fame: it is running dangerously low on men. This isn’t a social media exaggeration or a dating-app complaint. 

Statistically, the country has a full-blown “man drought,” with 15.5% more women than men, a gap more than three times the average across the European Union. Among seniors, the divide becomes even more dramatic: women over 65 outnumber men two to one, says the New York Post.

Researchers say there’s no mystery behind the imbalance. Latvian men simply don’t live as long. They smoke far more frequently than women-31% of them smoke, compared to just 10% of women-and carry higher rates of overweight and obesity. 

Poor diet, inconsistent healthcare habits, and leftover post-Soviet lifestyle patterns have caused men to die younger for decades. In a small country, this adds up quickly. Fewer men reach middle age, and even fewer make it into retirement. The imbalance has quietly reshaped the population.

But while demographers debate the health crisis, Latvian women have adopted a far more immediate solution: if the country doesn’t have enough men, they’ll hire one.

Across Latvia, services offering “husbands for an hour” have exploded in popularity. Companies like Komanda24 promise to send over “Men With Golden Hands”-a delightful piece of branding for workers who show up to fix leaky pipes, mount televisions, repair cabinets, or bring any misbehaving household appliance back in line. 

Another service, Remontdarbi.lv, takes the concept even further by branding its handymen explicitly as rented husbands. Customers book online or by phone, and within a short time, a man appears at the door-not to flirt, not to argue about weekend plans, but simply to paint the walls or fix the curtains.

The concept turns the traditional “handy husband” trope into a straightforward commercial transaction. No relationship required, no awkward dates involved, and no need to pretend anyone is assembling an IKEA bookshelf for love. In a country where women jokingly describe a “nationwide husband vacuum,” the service has become a practical fix for the demographic gap.

Interestingly, Latvia isn’t the only country developing this odd little corner of the gig economy. The idea reached viral fame in the UK in 2022 when a mother of three, Laura Young, created a business called Rent My Handy Husband, where she rented out her husband James for DIY work. For $44 an hour he tiled bathrooms, laid carpets, decorated rooms, and became so busy he routinely turned clients away. The business made international headlines not because it was outrageous, but because it seemed to tap into a global shift.

These services hint at more than just demographic quirks or clever marketing. They represent a quiet restructuring of domestic life. Tasks once automatically assigned to husbands are now treated the way we treat grocery delivery or app-based taxis: part of a professionalized service market. In Latvia, this shift is a direct response to demographic strain. Elsewhere, it reflects changing relationships, delayed marriages, and households that no longer fit the mid-20th-century mold.

A generation ago, relying on a rented husband might have felt strange. Today, it’s simply efficient.

Latvia’s man shortage isn’t going away anytime soon. Unless male health dramatically improves, the gender gap will remain one of Europe’s widest. But in typical Baltic fashion-calm, practical, and a bit deadpan-the country has already adapted. It can’t conjure up more men. But it can make sure someone shows up to fix the broken sink.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) will contest the upcoming national election without entering any seat-sharing deals, the party’s Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary said today (6 December).

“We will not seek seat-sharing deals with any party. We will move forward alone with dignity,” he made the remarks at the launching event of “National Professional Alliance”, an organisation of professionals inspired by the July spirit, at the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro in the capital.

He added that the politics of seat distribution would no longer continue in Bangladesh.

Referring to the current political situation, he claimed that the country is in a state of crisis. “I personally spoke to 36 people last night; 31 of them said there will be no election in February.” 

Patwary further claimed that in both the public and private sectors of Bangladesh, party loyalty, bribery, and corruption had long been prerequisites for employment. “For 53 years, the entire country remained politicised.”

“If our party come to power, we will introduce Friday–Saturday weekends for the private sector,” he said.

Criticising India, the NCP leader warned, “To India, we say, do not disturb our election. You have many investments here; we are saying nothing now. If you interfere, we will force you to retreat with your tail tucked, just like the British.”

‘BNP–Jamaat showcasing weapons ahead of election’

Speaking at the same event, National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain alleged that although we expected BNP and Jamaat to pledge a new political direction after the July Uprising, the two parties are instead “showcasing weapons” ahead of the national election.

“They have forgotten that on the July Uprising, even in the face of the weapons of all state forces, the people forced Hasina to flee,” he said.

He also accused India of defending all of Sheikh Hasina’s wrongdoings. “India provided direct backing for rigged elections, dummy elections, and midnight voting.”

“We demand the immediate repatriation of killer Hasina to Bangladesh,” Akhtar added.

After the National Citizen Party (NCP) abandoned plans for its own alliance, speculation of a coalition with BNP faded following the BNP’s recent announcement of additional candidates for the national elections.

Nasiruddin Patwary, chief coordinator of the NCP, in a Facebook post on Tuesday hinted at a moderate-centre alliance with BNP to counter the “authoritarian politics of Mujibism and Maududism”.

He wrote that no single party can combat the authoritarian politics of “Mujibism and Maududism” alone. He wrote that a “responsible alliance” between BNP and NCP is needed.

Then on Thursday, the BNP announced candidates for an additional 36 constituencies on top of its earlier declared 237 candidates. Many of these constituencies overlap with seats expected to be contested by senior NCP leaders.

With little room for compromise for an alliance, NCP leaders said they are now moving forward independently, but have not stopped considering alliances or holding discussions.

Convener Nahid Islam told the media yesterday that the NCP has not reached any formal or informal agreement with anyone.

“The public wants new possibilities and new leadership, and NCP is moving forward independently to pursue that politics,” he said, adding that they are preparing for the elections on their own.

“We want to advance our political agenda. We are not interested in forming an alliance; rather, a third-alliance process is ongoing,” he said.

However, Nahid also noted that the party has not stopped considering alliances or holding discussions. “Any political decision must be taken in view of the circumstances.” 

He added, “If a decision is required to protect the interests of the people, we are open to it. But at present, we are not engaged in any alliance talks and are focused on our own preparations.”

Regarding NCP’s policy now, the party’s senior joint convener Samantha Sharmin yesterday told The Business Standard that they are not currently discussing alliances with major parties.

“Our focus is on selecting candidates for 300 constituencies. Initial nominations for 100-150 seats will be announced soon,” she said. 

She added that there are ideological differences with BNP and Jamaat on reforms, adding that any alliance would depend on their policy adjustments. She said that NCP is currently following a “go alone” strategy.

BNP alliance still possible

Several NCP leaders indicate that the party could ultimately form an alliance with the BNP. In that case, NCP leaders are optimistic that BNP might adjust its final candidate list after the alliance is formalised.

Joint convener Sarwar Tushar told TBS that discussions with all parties are ongoing. 

“BNP may have already announced candidates for some constituencies, but if an alliance is reached, seat adjustments could be made and candidate lists revised,” he said.

Earlier, north region Chief Organiser Sarjis Alam said talks with various political parties are still underway. 

“The path for an alliance remains open with those supporting reforms, July aspirations, anti-Indian influence policies, and politics promoting Muslim sentiment and communal harmony,” he added.

Sarjis expressed hope for a swift resolution, noting that while there had been plans to announce an alliance earlier, its framework and scale needed to be expanded. 

“We hope a larger alliance will be announced soon,” Sarjis added.

BNP’s overlapping candidates

Earlier, it was expected that senior NCP leaders would not face BNP nominees in their constituencies. However, on 3 November, BNP announced candidates for 237 seats, including several that overlap where NCP leaders are expected to contest.

For instance, Convener Nahid Islam (Dhaka-11), Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain (Rangpur-4), south region Chief Organiser Hasnat Abdullah (Cumilla-4), north region Chief Organiser Sarjis Alam (Panchagarh-1), and Senior Joint Chief Coordinator Abdul Hannan Masud (Noakhali-6).

BNP’s second-phase nominations, announced on Thursday included key constituencies overlaps with NCP leaders to contest, such as Dhaka-7, Dhaka-9, Dhaka-10, and Dhaka-18. 

NCP Senior Joint Member Secretary Tasnim Jara will contest Dhaka-9, while Patwary will run in Dhaka-18. Dhaka-10, initially left vacant for interim government Adviser Asif Mahmud, was assigned to BNP nominee Sheikh Robiul Alam in the second phase, though Asif has not clarified his candidacy.

While announcing the candidate list, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the remaining seats have been kept aside for our alliances after discussions. “The possibility of changes in the declared constituencies is very low.”