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Latvia
Latvia
Population
1.9M
Rank #150Source: World Bank
Capital
Riga
Source: REST Countries
Region
Europe
Europe & Central Asia
Source: REST Countries
GDP (Nominal)
$43.68B
Rank #100Source: World Bank
Land Area
64.6K km²
Rank #123Source: REST Countries
Life Expectancy
75.678 yrs
Source: World Bank
Historical Trends
Population Trend (5-Year)
Source: World Bank
GDP Trend (5-Year, Nominal USD)
Source: World Bank
Geography
Area: 64,559 km²
Landlocked: No
Independent: Yes
Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters
Terrain: low plain
Elevation: mean elevation: 87 m lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Gaizina Kalns 312 m
Natural Hazards: large percentage of agricultural fields can become waterlogged and require drainage
Environmental Issues: while land, water, and air pollution are evident, Latvia's environment has benefited from a shift to service industries after the country regained independence; improvements have occurred in drinking...
Land Use: agricultural land: 29.2% (2011 est.) forest: 54.1% (2011 est.) other: 16.7% (2011 est.)
Geography Note: most of the country is composed of fertile low-lying plains with some hills in the east
Natural Resources
peatlimestonedolomiteamberhydropowertimberarable land
People & Society
Fertility Rate
1.36
Population
1.9M
Ethnic Groups
Latvian (62.2%)Russian (25.2%)Belarusian (3.2%)Ukrainian (2.2%)Polish (2.1%)Lithuanian (1.2%)other (1.5%)unspecified (2.3%)
Religions
Lutheran (36.2%)Roman Catholic (19.5%)Orthodox (19.1%)other Christian (1.6%)other (0.1%)unspecified/none (23.5%)
Economy
GDP per Capita
$23,409.085
GDP per Capita PPP
43,394.273
(2024)
(2024)
GNI per Capita
21,630
(2024)
(2024)
Gini Index
34
(2023)
(2023)
Unemployment
6.9%
(2024)
(2024)
Inflation
1.266%
(2024)
(2024)
Public Debt
Not Available
Energy
Electricity Access
100%
(2023)
(2023)
Renewable Energy
44%
(2021)
(2021)
CO₂ Emissions
6.807 Mt
(2024)
(2024)
Energy Intensity
2.88 MJ/$
(2022)
(2022)
Renewable Electricity
63.596%
(2021)
(2021)
Environment
Forest Coverage
54.996% of land
(2023)
(2023)
Communications
Internet Users
92.708%
(2024)
(2024)
Mobile Penetration
119.91%
(2023)
(2023)
Broadband Subscribers
25.995%
(2023)
(2023)
Transportation
Air Transport Freight
2.367 M ton-km
(2023)
(2023)
Container Port Traffic
471,684 TEU
(2022)
(2022)
Airports
43,243
Rail Lines
1,859.1 km
Roads Total
57,905 km(©IRF)
Military
Military Forces
National Armed Forces (Nacionalie Brunotie Speki): Land Forces (Latvijas Sauszemes Speki), Naval Force (Latvijas Juras Speki, includes Coast Guard (Latvijas Kara Flote)), Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa...
Personnel Strength
the National Armed Forces of Latvia have approximately 6,000 active duty troops (5,000 Land Forces, inc. joint service personnel and active duty National Guard; 500 Naval Force/Coast Guard; 500 Air...
Military Expenditure (USD)
$1.43B
Military Expenditure (% of GDP)
3.26%
Military Expenditure History
2.01% of GDP (2019 est.) 2.08% of GDP (2018) 1.59% of GDP (2017) 1.45% of GDP (2016) 1.04% of GDP (2015)
Equipment & Inventories
the Latvian military's inventory is limited and consists of a European, Israeli, and US weapons systems; since 2010, it has received mostly second-hand equipment from Austria, Denmark, Germany, the...
Service Age & Obligation
18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; no conscription; under current law, every citizen is entitled to serve in the armed forces for life
Education
Pre-Primary Enrollment
94.629%
(2020)
(2020)
Primary Enrollment
98.467%
(2023)
(2023)
Secondary Enrollment
102.126%
(2023)
(2023)
Tertiary Enrollment
85.736%
(2023)
(2023)
Education Spending
4.319% of GDP
(2022)
(2022)
Adult Literacy Rate
99.9%
(2011)
(2011)
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
11.537:1
(2017)
(2017)
Health
Physicians per 1,000
3.398
(2022)
(2022)
Safe Water Access
98.773%
(2024)
(2024)
Safe Drinking Water
97.011%
(2024)
(2024)
Under-5 Mortality
3 per 1,000
(2023)
(2023)
Maternal Mortality (World Bank)
21.371 per 100,000
(2021)
(2021)
Hospital Beds per 1,000
73.203
(2021)
(2021)
UHC Coverage Index
77
(2023)
(2023)
Measles Immunization
97%
(2024)
(2024)
Social Indicators
Extreme Poverty Rate
0.4%
(2023)
(2023)
Food Insecurity
2.5%
(2023)
(2023)
Youth NEET Rate
13.592%
(2024)
(2024)
Governance
Women in Government
32%
(2024)
(2024)
Voice & Accountability
0.99
(Above Average)
(2023)
(Above Average)
(2023)
Political Stability
0.59
(Above Average)
(2023)
(Above Average)
(2023)
Government Effectiveness
0.70
(Above Average)
(2023)
(Above Average)
(2023)
Regulatory Quality
1.17
(Strong)
(2023)
(Strong)
(2023)
Rule of Law
1.04
(Strong)
(2023)
(Strong)
(2023)
Control of Corruption
0.70
(Above Average)
(2023)
(Above Average)
(2023)
Government
Government Type
parliamentary republic
Legal System
civil law system with traces of socialist legal traditions and practices
Executive Branch
chief of state: President Egils LEVITS (since 8 July 2019) head of government: Prime Minister Krisjanis KARINS (since 23 January 2019) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers nominated by the prime minister,...
Legislative Branch
description: unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year...
Judicial Branch
highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the Senate with 36 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 judges) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by chief justice...
National Symbols
Flag Description
three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon; the flag is one of the older banners in the world; a medieval chronicle mentions a red standard with a white stripe being used...
National Symbols
white wagtail (bird); national colors: maroon, white
National Anthem
name: "Dievs, sveti Latviju!" (God Bless Latvia) lyrics/music: Karlis BAUMANIS note: adopted 1920, restored 1990; first performed in 1873 while Latvia was a part of Russia; banned during the Soviet...
Safety
Homicide Rate
2.497 per 100,000
(2023)
(2023)
Travel Information
Language(s): Latvian
Currency: EUR (€)
Timezone(s): UTC+02:00
Landlocked: No
Independent: Yes
Driving Side: Right
Calling Code: +371
Car Sign: LV
Week Starts: Monday
Photos
A closer view of the Saint Peter's Church steeple in Riga.
A closer view of the Saint Peter's Church steeple in Riga. • CIA World Factbook • 2020
Town Hall Square is the official center of Riga. Seen here is the Blackheads House as well as the spire of Saint Peter's Church.
Town Hall Square is the official center of Riga. Seen here is the Blackheads House as well as the spire of Saint Peter's Church. • CIA World Factbook • 2020
Saint Peter's Church in Riga was built in 1209 and enlarged in the 15th century. Its current tower was completed in 1746 and restored in 1973 when an elevator was installed. People can now view Riga from a height of about 72 m (236 ft).
Saint Peter's Church in Riga was built in 1209 and enlarged in the 15th century. Its current tower was completed in 1746 and restored in 1973 when an elevator was installed. People can now view Riga from a height of about 72 m (236 ft). • CIA World Factbook • 2020
Saint John's Church is a small chapel in Riga that dates back to the 13th century; it lies behind Saint Peter's Church.
Saint John's Church is a small chapel in Riga that dates back to the 13th century; it lies behind Saint Peter's Church. • CIA World Factbook • 2020
The bells in the forground were originally cast in the 13th century, but were remounted on the roof of the Riga City Council (Town Hall) building in the late 20th century. The modern carillon forms a striking contrast to the Town Hall's 18th century clock tower. The bells chime every hour on the hour.
The bells in the forground were originally cast in the 13th century, but were remounted on the roof of the Riga City Council (Town Hall) building in the late 20th century. The modern carillon forms a striking contrast to the Town Hall's 18th century clock tower. The bells chime every hour on the hour. • CIA World Factbook • 2020
A side view of Saint Peter's Church in Riga.
A side view of Saint Peter's Church in Riga. • CIA World Factbook • 2020
12 photos available
View All Photos→Data sources: World Bank, UN Data • Updated daily •Learn about our data