Latvia

Parliamentary RepublicPop1.9MGDP (PPP)$72.5BCI75Beta CP0.0→Beta

Latvia

⌘K

Overview

Background: Several eastern Baltic tribes merged in medieval times to form the ethnic core of the Latvian people (ca. 8th-12th centuries A.D.). The region subsequently came under the control of Germans, Poles, Swedes, and finally Russians. A Latvian republic emerged following World War I, but the USSR annexed it in 1940 -- an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. Latvia reestablished its independence in 1991 after the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 25% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia joined both NATO and the EU in 2004; it joined the euro zone in 2014 and the OECD in 2016.

Geography

Area

Land: 62,249 sq km
Water: 2,340 sq km
Total: 64,589 sq km

Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters
Terrain: low plain

Land Use

Other: 12.8% (2023 est.)
Forest: 55.5% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: 31.7% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: arable land: arable land: 21.9% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent crops: permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent pasture: permanent pasture: 9.7% (2023 est.)

Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
Coastline: 498 km

Elevation

Lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
Highest point: Gaizina Kalns 312 m
Mean elevation: 87 m

Irrigated land: 6 sq km (2016)
Map references: Europe

Land Boundaries

Total: 1,370 km
Border countries: Belarus 161 km; Estonia 333 km; Lithuania 544 km; Russia 332 km

Maritime Claims

Territorial sea: 12 nm
Continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Exclusive economic zone: limits as agreed to by Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Russia

Natural hazards: large percentage of agricultural fields can become waterlogged and require drainage
Geography note: most of the country is composed of fertile low-lying plains with some hills in the east
Natural resources: peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, timber, arable land
Area comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia
Geographic coordinates: 57 00 N, 25 00 E
Population distribution: largest concentration of people is found in and around the port and capital city of Riga; small agglomerations are scattered throughout the country

People & Society

Languages

Note: note: data represent language usually spoken at home
Languages: Latvian (official) 56.3%, Russian 33.8%, other 0.6% (includes Polish, Ukrainian, and Belarusian), unspecified 9.4%  (2011 est.)
Major language sample(s): World Factbook, neaizstājams avots pamata informāciju. (Latvian)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Religions: Lutheran 36.2%, Roman Catholic 19.5%, Orthodox 19.1%, other Christian 1.6%, other 0.1%, unspecified/none 23.5% (2017 est.)

Sex Ratio

At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0 14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15 64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
Total population: 0.87 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over: 0.52 male(s)/female

Birth rate: 7.24 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate: 14.68 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Median Age

Male: 41.6 years
Total: 43.8 years (2025 est.)
Female: 49.2 years

Population

Male: 876,654
Total: 1,888,439 (2025 est.)
Female: 1,011,785

Nationality

Noun: Latvian(s)
Adjective: Latvian

Tobacco Use

Male: 43.5% (2025 est.)
Total: 28.8% (2025 est.)
Female: 16.4% (2025 est.)

Urbanization

Urban population: 68.7% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: -0.68% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Age Structure

0 14 years: 14.7% (male 136,482/female 128,492)
15 64 years: 63% (male 562,754/female 572,850)
65 years and over: 22.2% (2024 est.) (male 137,746/female 262,922)

Ethnic groups: Latvian 62.7%, Russian 24.5%, Belarusian 3.1%, Ukrainian 2.2%, Polish 2%, Lithuanian 1.1%, other 1.8%, unspecified 2.6% (2021 est.)

Dependency Ratios

Total dependency ratio: 56.2 (2025 est.)
Youth dependency ratio: 23.3 (2025 est.)
Potential support ratio: 3 (2025 est.)
Elderly dependency ratio: 33 (2025 est.)

Physician density: 3.4 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Health Expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP): 9% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 12.1% of national budget (2022 est.)

Net migration rate: -5.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density: 5.3 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.25 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Drinking Water Source

Improved: rural: rural: 98.9% of population (2022 est.)
Improved: total: total: 98.9% of population (2022 est.)
Improved: urban: urban: 98.9% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: rural: rural: 1.1% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: total: total: 1.1% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: urban: urban: 1.1% of population (2022 est.)

Education Expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP): 4.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 9.9% national budget (2022 est.)

Infant Mortality Rate

Male: 5.1 deaths/1,000 live births
Total: 2.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Female: 4.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Population growth rate: -1.27% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate: 0.61 (2025 est.)
Population distribution: largest concentration of people is found in and around the port and capital city of Riga; small agglomerations are scattered throughout the country

Life Expectancy at Birth

Male: 72 years
Female: 81 years
Total population: 76.4 years (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio: 19 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita

Beer: 4.9 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Wine: 1.7 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Total: 12.9 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Spirits: 5.3 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Other alcohols: 1 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Major urban areas population: 621,000 RIGA (capital) (2023)
Obesity adult prevalence rate: 23.6% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 27.3 years (2020 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15 49): 49.6% (2021 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 0.3% (2021 est.)

School Life Expectancy (Primary to Tertiary Education)

Male: 15 years (2023 est.)
Total: 16 years (2023 est.)
Female: 17 years (2023 est.)

Government

Civica · structure

How power is organised

ExecutiveLegislative

Flag: description: three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon

history: the flag is one of the older banners in the world -- a medieval chronicle mentions Latvian tribes using a red standard with a white stripe around 1280

Capital

Name: Riga
Etymology: the name's origin is unclear; it may derive from the Old Lithuanian word ringa, meaning "bend" or "curve" and referring to the city's location on the Western Dvina River; alternatively, it may come from the Latvian word ridzina, meaning "stream"
Time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Geographic coordinates: 56 57 N, 24 06 E

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

Citizenship BY birth: no
Citizenship BY descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Latvia
Dual citizenship recognized: no
Residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Constitution

History: several previous (pre-1991 independence); after independence was restored in 1991, parts of the 1922 constitution were reintroduced on 4 May 1990 and fully reintroduced on 6 July 1993
Amendment process: proposed by two thirds of Parliament members or by petition of one tenth of qualified voters submitted through the president; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of Parliament in each of three readings; amendment of constitutional articles, including national sovereignty, language, the parliamentary electoral system, and constitutional amendment procedures, requires passage in a referendum by majority vote of at least one half of the electorate

Country Name

Former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic (while occupied by the USSR)
Etymology: the name originates from the Latgalians, one of four eastern Baltic tribes that formed the ethnic core of the Latvian people (ca. 8th-12th centuries A.D.)
Local long form: Latvijas Republika
Local short form: Latvija
Conventional long form: Republic of Latvia
Conventional short form: Latvia

Independence: 18 November 1918 (from Soviet Russia); 4 May 1990 (declared from the Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)
Legal system: civil law system with traces of socialist legal traditions and practices
Government type: parliamentary republic

Judicial Branch

Highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the Senate with 36 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 judges)
Subordinate courts: district (city) and regional courts
Judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by chief justice and confirmed by the Saeima; judges serve until age 70, but term can be extended 2 years; Constitutional Court judges - 3 nominated by Saeima members, 2 by Cabinet ministers, and 2 by plenum of Supreme Court; all judges confirmed by Saeima majority vote; Constitutional Court president and vice president serve in their positions for 3 years; all judges serve 10-year terms; mandatory retirement at age 70

Executive Branch

Cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, appointed by Parliament
Chief of state: President Edgars RINKEVICS (since 8 July 2023)
Election results: 2023: Edgars RINKEVICS elected president in the third round; Parliament vote - Edgars RINKEVICS (Unity Party) 52, Uldis Pīlēns (independent) 25; Evika SILINA confirmed as prime minister 53-39

2019: Egils LEVITS elected president; Parliament vote - Egils LEVITS (independent) 61, Didzis SMITS (KPV LV) 24, Juris JANSONS (independent) 8; Krisjanis KARINS confirmed as prime minister 61-39
Head of government: Prime Minister Evika SILINA (since 15 September 2023)
Most recent election date: 31 May 2023
Election/appointment process: president indirectly elected by Parliament for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by Parliament
Expected date of next election: 2027

National holiday: Independence Day (Republic of Latvia Proclamation Day), 18 November (1918)
National color(s): maroon, white

National Heritage

Total world heritage sites: 3 (all cultural)
Selected world heritage site locales: Historic Center of Riga; Struve Geodetic Arc; Old town of Kuldīga

Political parties: For Stability or S!
For Latvia's Development or LA
Harmony or S
Honor to Serve Riga! or GKR
Latvia First or LPV
National Alliance or NA
New Unity or JV
People. Land. Statehood. or TZV
The Progressives or PRO
Union of Greens and Farmers or ZZS
United List or AS
We for Talsi and Municipality or MTuN

Legislative Branch

Term in office: 4 years
Number of seats: 100 (all directly elected)
Electoral system: proportional representation
Legislature name: Parliament (Saeima)
Scope of elections: full renewal
Legislative structure: unicameral
Most recent election date: 10/1/2022
Expected date of next election: October 2026
Percentage of women in chamber: 31%
Parties elected and seats per party: New Unity (VIENOTIBA) (26); Union of Farmers and Greens (ZZS) (16); United List - Latvian Green Party, Latvian Regional Alliance, Liepāja Party (15); National Alliance of All for Latvia!" - "For Fatherland and Freedom / LNNK" (NA) (13); For Stability! (11); Progressives (10); Latvia First (9)

National Anthem(s)

Title: "Dievs, sveti Latviju!" (God Bless Latvia)
History: adopted 1920, restored 1990; first performed in 1873 when Latvia was part of Russia; banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990
Lyrics/music: Karlis BAUMANIS

National symbol(s): white wagtail (bird)
Administrative divisions: 36 municipalities (novadi, singular - novads) and 7 state cities (valstpilsetu pasvaldibas, singular - valstspilsetas pasvaldiba)

municipalities: Adazi, Aizkraukle, Aluksne, Augsdaugava, Balvi, Bauska, Cesis, Dienvidkurzeme, Dobele, Gulbene, Jekabpils, Jelgava, Kekava, Kraslava, Kuldiga, Limbazi, Livani, Ludza, Madona, Marupe, Ogre, Olaine, Preili, Rezekne, Ropazi, Salaspils, Saldus, Saulkrasti, Sigulda, Smiltene, Talsi, Tukums, Valka, Valmiera, Varaklani, Ventspils

cities: Daugavpils, Jelgava, Jurmala, Liepaja, Rezekne, Riga, Ventspils

Diplomatic Representation in the US

Fax: [1] (202) 328-2860
Chancery: 2306 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: [1] (202) 328-2840
Chief of mission: Ambassador Elita KUZMA (since 18 September 2024)
Email address and website: embassy.usa@mfa.gov.lv

https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/usa

Diplomatic Representation from the US

Fax: [371] 6710-7050
Embassy: 1 Samnera Velsa Street (former Remtes), Riga LV-1510
Telephone: [371] 6710-7000
Mailing address: 4520 Riga Place, Washington DC  20521-4520
Chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Julia JACOBY (since December 2025)
Email address and website: askconsular-riga@state.gov

https://lv.usembassy.gov/

International organisations: Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Legislature

LATVIA · LEGISLATURE

Parliament

100 seats · hover a seat for the party

Total seats

100

Majority line

Largest party

Unity

Parties

All political parties6 parties · 100 seats · click to dim in hemicycle

Leaders

Current

ER
Edgars Rinkēvičs
- Head of StateSince 2023
ES
Evika Siliņa
- Head of GovernmentSince 2023

Economy

Budget

Note: note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Revenues: $14.58 billion (2023 est.)
Expenditures: $15.432 billion (2023 est.)

Exports

Civica canonical (reconciled): $28.5B

Note: note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports 2022: $29.364 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023: $28.294 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024: $28.117 billion (2024 est.)

Imports

Civica canonical (reconciled): $29.2B

Note: note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports 2022: $31.206 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023: $29.875 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024: $29.234 billion (2024 est.)

Industries: processed foods, processed wood products, textiles, processed metals, pharmaceuticals, railroad cars, synthetic fibers, electronics
Labor force: 954,900 (2024 est.)

Public Debt

Civica canonical (reconciled): 46.9%

Note: note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities, including sub-sectors of central government, state government, local government, and social security funds
Public debt 2017: 36.3% of GDP (2017 est.)

Remittances

Note: note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Remittances 2022: 3.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023: 2.9% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024: 3.1% of GDP (2024 est.)

Exchange Rates

Currency: euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020: 0.876 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021: 0.845 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022: 0.95 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023: 0.925 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024: 0.924 (2024 est.)

Economic overview: high-income EU and eurozone member; weak recovery following economic contraction, with slight increase in private consumption and uncertain trade environment; challenges from skilled-labor shortages, capital market access, large informal sector, and green and digital transitions

Unemployment Rate

Civica canonical (reconciled): 6.6%

Note: note: % of labor force seeking employment
Unemployment rate 2022: 6.9% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 6.5% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024: 6.8% (2024 est.)

Exports partners: Lithuania 19%, Estonia 6%, Russia 6%, Germany 6%, Sweden 5% (2023)
Imports partners: Lithuania 18%, Germany 11%, Poland 10%, Estonia 8%, Finland 5% (2023)

Real GDP Per Capita

Civica canonical (reconciled): $43,394

Note: note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita 2022: $37,700 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $38,800 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024: $38,900 (2024 est.)

Real GDP Growth Rate

Civica canonical (reconciled): 2.1%

Note: note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 1.8% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 2.9% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024: -0.4% (2024 est.)

Agricultural products: wheat, milk, rapeseed, barley, oats, potatoes, rye, beans, peas, chicken (2023)
Exports commodities: wood, wheat, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicine, natural gas (2023)
Imports commodities: refined petroleum, cars, packaged medicine, broadcasting equipment, natural gas (2023)

Current Account Balance

Civica canonical (reconciled): -$687.9M

Note: note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Current account balance 2022: -$2.082 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023: -$1.663 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024: -$923.266 million (2024 est.)

Taxes and other revenues: 16.7% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate): $43.521 billion (2024 est.)

GDP Composition, BY End Use

Note: note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Household consumption: 62.7% (2023 est.)
Government consumption: 20.2% (2023 est.)
Investment in inventories: -0.1% (2023 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 24.7% (2023 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 66.5% (2023 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -70.2% (2023 est.)

Population below poverty line: 22.5% (2022 est.)

Average Household Expenditures

On food: 19.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
On alcohol and tobacco: 7.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)

Civica canonical (reconciled): 3.8%

Note: note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 17.3% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 8.9% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024: 1.3% (2024 est.)

Industrial production growth rate: -4% (2024 est.)

Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)

Civica canonical (reconciled): $72.516 billion (2024 est.)

Note: note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $70.817 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $72.838 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024: $72.516 billion (2024 est.)

Youth Unemployment Rate (Ages 15 24)

Male: 13% (2024 est.)
Note: note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Total: 12.5% (2024 est.)
Female: 11.9% (2024 est.)

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

Note: note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $4.46 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $4.957 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024: $5.141 billion (2024 est.)

GDP Composition, BY Sector of Origin

Note: note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Industry: 19.9% (2024 est.)
Services: 63.1% (2024 est.)
Agriculture: 4.1% (2024 est.)

Note: note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Lowest 10%: 2.6% (2022 est.)
Highest 10%: 25.8% (2022 est.)

Gini Index Coefficient Distribution of Family Income

Note: note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Gini index coefficient distribution of family income 2022: 33.7 (2022 est.)

Energy

Coal

Exports: 12,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Imports: 39,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Consumption: 20,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

Total petroleum production: 2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Refined petroleum consumption: 33,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)

Electricity

Exports: 3.271 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Imports: 4.075 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Consumption: 6.822 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Installed generating capacity: 3.428 million kW (2023 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 342.238 million kWh (2023 est.)

Natural Gas

Imports: 786.523 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Consumption: 786.523 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Electricity Access

Electrification total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Energy Consumption Per Capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023: 65.908 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Electricity Generation Sources

Wind: 4.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Solar: 3.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Fossil fuels: 22.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Hydroelectricity: 59.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Biomass and waste: 10.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Communications

Internet Users

Percent of population: 92% (2023 est.)

Broadcast media: several national and regional commercial TV stations are foreign-owned, 2 national TV stations are publicly owned; system supplemented by privately owned regional and local TV stations; cable and satellite multi-channel TV services with domestic and foreign broadcasts available; publicly owned broadcaster operates 4 radio networks with dozens of stations; dozens of private broadcasters also operate radio stations
Internet country code: .lv

Telephones Fixed Lines

Total subscriptions: 142,000 (2023 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2023 est.)

Telephones Mobile Cellular

Total subscriptions: 2.27 million (2024 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 121 (2024 est.)

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

Total: 489,000 (2023 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 26 (2023 est.)

Transport

Ports

Large: 1
Small: 0
Medium: 2
Key ports: Lielupe, Liepaja, Riga, Salacgriva, Ventspils
Very small: 2
Total ports: 5 (2024)
Ports with oil terminals: 3

Airports: 55 (2025)

Railways

Total: 2,216 km (2020) 257 km electrified

Heliports: 5 (2025)

Merchant Marine

Total: 83 (2023)
BY type: container ship 2, general cargo 30, oil tanker 10, other 41

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: YL

Environment

Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters

Land Use

Other: 12.8% (2023 est.)
Forest: 55.5% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: 31.7% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: arable land: arable land: 21.9% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent crops: permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent pasture: permanent pasture: 9.7% (2023 est.)

Urbanization

Urban population: 68.7% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: -0.68% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Waste and Recycling

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 839,700 tons (2024 est.)
Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 31.3% (2022 est.)

Environmental issues: some soil, water, and air pollution

Total Water Withdrawal

Municipal: 91.945 million cubic meters (2022)
Industrial: 30.291 million cubic meters (2022)
Agricultural: 50.098 million cubic meters (2022)

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Total emissions: 6.427 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
From consumed natural gas: 1.526 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
From coal and metallurgical coke: 41,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 4.861 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Particulate matter emissions: 15.6 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 34.94 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

International Environmental Agreements

Party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands
Signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Military & Security

Military note: the National Armed Forces are responsible for the defense of the country’s sovereignty and territory; they also have some domestic security responsibilities, including coast guard functions, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, and providing support to other internal security services; the Military Police provides protection to the president and other government officials, foreign dignitaries, and key facilities; Latvia’s primary external security focus is Russia

in 2004, Latvia joined NATO and the EU, both of which it depends on to play a decisive role in Latvia’s security policy; the Latvian military has participated in EU and NATO missions abroad and regularly conducts training and exercises with EU and NATO partner forces; Latvia also hosts NATO partner forces; since 2017, it has hosted a Canadian-led multinational NATO ground force battlegroup as part of the Alliance’s Enhanced Forward Presence initiative; in addition, NATO has provided air protection for Latvia since 2004 through its Baltics Air Policing mission

Latvia is a member of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, a pool of high-readiness military forces from 10 Baltic and Scandinavian countries designed to respond to a wide range of contingencies in the North Atlantic, Baltic Sea, and High North regions (2025)
Military deployments: 140 Kosovo (KFOR/NATO) (2025)

Military Expenditures

Civica canonical (reconciled): 3.7% of GDP (2025 est.)

Military expenditures 2021: 2.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military expenditures 2022: 2.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military expenditures 2023: 3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military expenditures 2024: 3.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military expenditures 2025: 3.7% of GDP (2025 est.)

Military and security forces: National Armed Forces (Nacionalie Brunotie Speki or NBS): Land Forces (Latvijas Sauszemes Speki), Naval Force (Latvijas Juras Speki, includes Coast Guard (Latvijas Kara Flote)), Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa Speki), National Guard (aka Land Guard or Zemessardze)

Ministry of Interior: State Police, State Border Guards, State Security Service (2025)
Military service age and obligation: mandatory military service for all men 18-24; men and women 18-27 may volunteer for military service; service length 11 months in the Armed Forces or National Guard, or 5 years in the National Guard as a whole, with a minimum of 21 days of individual training and a maximum of 7 days of collective training each year (2026)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Latvian military's inventory consists of European and US armaments (2025)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 9,000 active-duty military personnel (2025)

Transnational Issues

Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons

Refugees: 49,483 (2024 est.)
Stateless persons: 173,891 (2024 est.)

Scores & Rankings

ScoreValueGlobal rankTrendAs of

Civica Index75.0 / 100as of 2024-Q432 / 1902024-Q4

V-Dem Liberal Democracy0.77as of 2024-Q418 / 1702024-Q4

Freedom House StatusPartly Free (92/100)as of 2024-Q4—2024-Q4

Press Freedom (RSF)Partly free (50/100)as of 2024—2024

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Civica. (2026). Civica Atlas — Latvia — vintage 2026-Q1: Latvia factbook. Civica Atlas. Retrieved May 7, 2026, from https://civicaatlas.org/factbook/latvia

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Sources: Eurostat, FAO FAOSTAT, ILO ILOSTAT, IMF (WEO), OECD.Stat, UN Statistics Division, UNDP HDR, UNESCO Institute for Statistics, V-Dem, WHO Global Health Observatory, World Bank, WTO Stats, CIA World Factbook, Wikidata

Latvia

Area

Land Use

Elevation

Land Boundaries

Maritime Claims

Languages

Sex Ratio

Median Age

Population

Nationality

Tobacco Use

Urbanization

Age Structure

Dependency Ratios

Health Expenditure

Drinking Water Source

Education Expenditure

Infant Mortality Rate

Life Expectancy at Birth

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita

School Life Expectancy (Primary to Tertiary Education)

How power is organised

Capital

Citizenship

Constitution

Country Name

Judicial Branch

Executive Branch

National Heritage

Legislative Branch

National Anthem(s)

Diplomatic Representation in the US

Diplomatic Representation from the US

Parliament

Current

Edgars Rinkēvičs

Evika Siliņa

Budget

Exports

Imports

Public Debt

Remittances

Exchange Rates

Unemployment Rate

Real GDP Per Capita

Real GDP Growth Rate

Current Account Balance

GDP Composition, BY End Use

Average Household Expenditures

Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)

Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)

Youth Unemployment Rate (Ages 15 24)

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

GDP Composition, BY Sector of Origin

Household Income or Consumption BY Percentage Share

Gini Index Coefficient Distribution of Family Income

Coal

Petroleum

Electricity

Natural Gas

Electricity Access

Energy Consumption Per Capita

Electricity Generation Sources

Internet Users

Telephones Fixed Lines

Telephones Mobile Cellular

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

Ports

Railways

Merchant Marine

Land Use

Urbanization

Waste and Recycling

Total Water Withdrawal

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

International Environmental Agreements

Military Expenditures

Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons

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