Changes have taken place in the city's social sphere over the recent years - new bodies have been set up aimed at making the system work better and be oriented towards the people and their necessities. For the most part, social matters of Riga's residents lie within the competence of the Riga City Council authorities directly in charge of social, health care and related issues, however, in line with the principle of sustainability, they should be dealt with by representatives of all sectors, national and local organisations and NGOs who should work together for the improvement of the city's social environment.

 In 1997, the Riga City Council adopted a policy document for health care in the Greater Riga region laying down provisions for the establishment of a regional health care system to provide comprehensive health care for residents of Riga, Jurmala and the Riga region.

  The Riga City Council understands that the relatively low standard of living, the high unemployment rate and social tensions among society are vital factors that diminish the interest of people in the natural environment in the city. Therefore, the Environmental Strategy, based on the principle of sustainability, provides an insight in the social problems establishing, however, that a separate social scheme is to be designed in future comprising all aspects of the social environment.