Severe Shortage of Men in This Country: Women Hiring “Husbands for an Hour” to Handle Household Tasks

A surprising trend from the European nation of Latvia has caught global attention. Due to a significant shortage of men in the country, women are increasingly hiring temporary male helpers—popularly known as “Husband for an Hour”—to manage everyday household and maintenance tasks. Platforms like Komanda24 and Remontdarbi.lv offer skilled men who assist in plumbing, carpentry, painting, and furniture assembly.

Why Are Women Hiring ‘Husbands for an Hour’?

It may sound unusual, but Latvia faces a serious gender imbalance. According to a report by The New York Post, the number of women in the country is about 15% higher than the number of men. This demographic gap has created a situation where women struggle to find partners—and even more so to find help with household chores typically requiring physical strength.

As a result, many women are turning to temporary male helpers who assist with tasks such as repairs, installations, and general home maintenance.

A Gender Imbalance That Raises Concern

Unlike countries where the elderly population is simply growing, Latvia’s imbalance is deeper. World Atlas reports that among people aged 65 and above, the number of women is almost double that of men. This has made it increasingly difficult for women to find compatible life partners, adding emotional and social challenges to daily life.

Women say the absence of men is visible everywhere—from offices to communities—often affecting both personal life and professional dynamics.

Impact of the Shortage of Men

Women in Latvia describe an evident lack of male presence in workplaces and public spaces. One woman shared that her entire office consists of only female colleagues. While the environment is supportive, the presence of men, she says, adds balance and diversity. Due to this shortage, many women even look abroad in search of suitable partners.

How Women Book These Temporary Husbands

Several digital platforms have emerged to meet the rising demand:

• Komanda 24, also known as Men with Golden Hands, provides services for plumbing, carpentry, furniture repair, and TV installations.
• Remontdarbi.lv offers services where women can hire “husbands for an hour” for painting, home maintenance, conversations, and daily household support.

These platforms ensure skilled manpower for tasks that otherwise require a male helper.

Not Just Latvia – This Trend Has Been Seen Before

The concept isn’t entirely new. In 2022, a UK woman named Laura Young went viral for launching a business called “Rent My Handy Husband.” Her husband, James, provided home services such as decorating, painting, tiling, and other DIY work. He charged $44 per hour and $280 for a full day. Their business became so popular that they had to decline multiple bookings due to high demand.