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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

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 are available; publicly-owned broadcaster operates 4 radio networks with dozens of stations throughout the country; dozens of private broadcasters also operate radio stations (2007)

Internet country code [time series]

.lv

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

289,478 (2010) country comparison to the world: 59

Internet users [time series]

1.504 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 81

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: recent efforts focused on bringing competition to the telecommunications sector; the number of fixed lines is decreasing as mobile-cellular telephone service expands domestic: number of telecommunications operators has grown rapidly since the fixed-line market opened to competition in 2003; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 125 per 100 persons international: country code - 371; the Latvian network is now connected via fiber optic cable to Estonia, Finland, and Sweden (2008)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

532,100 (2010) country comparison to the world: 95

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

2.306 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 134

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

grain, rapeseed, potatoes, vegetables; pork, poultry, milk, eggs; fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: $8.471 billion expenditures: $10.31 billion (2010 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-7.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 183

Central bank discount rate [time series]

4% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 65 6% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

9.56% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 16.23% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

$871 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 $2.283 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$42.07 billion (30 June 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 $39.55 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

35.7 (2008) country comparison to the world: 89 32 (1999)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Latvia is a small, open economy with exports contributing significantly to its GDP. Due to its geographical location, transit services are highly-developed, along with timber and wood-processing, agriculture and food products, and manufacturing of machinery and electronic devices. The bulk of the country's economic activity, however, is in the services sector. Corruption continues to be an impediment to attracting FDI flows and Latvia's low birth rate and decreasing population are major challenges to its long-term economic vitality. Latvia's economy experienced GDP growth of more than 10% per year during 2006-07, but entered a severe recession in 2008 as a result of an unsustainable current account deficit and large debt exposure amid the softening world economy. GDP plunged 18% in 2009 - the three Baltic states had the world's worst declines that year. Thanks to strong export growth in 2009 and 2010, the economy experienced its first real quarterly GDP growth in over two years (2.9%) in the third quarter of 2010. The IMF, EU, and other international donors provided substantial financial assistance to Latvia as part of an agreement to defend the currency's peg to the euro. This agreement calls for reduction of Latvia's fiscal deficit to below 3% of GDP by 2012, in order to meet the Maastricht Treaty criteria for euro adoption. DOMBROVSKIS' government enacted major spending cuts to reduce the fiscal deficit to a maximum of 8.5% of GDP in 2010, and Latvia has approved a 2011 budget with a projected deficit of 5.4% of GDP. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February, 1999. EU membership, a top foreign policy goal, came in May 2004. Latvia's current major financial policy goal, entrance into the euro zone, is targeted for 2014.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

6.836 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101

Electricity - exports [time series]

2.605 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

1.654 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

5.114 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114

Exchange rates [time series]

lati (LVL) per US dollar - 0.5422 (2010) 0.5056 (2009) 0.4701 (2008) 0.5162 (2007) 0.5597 (2006)

Exports [time series]

$8.989 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 $7.387 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

food products, wood and wood products, metals, machinery and equipment, textiles

Exports - partners [time series]

Russia 15.2%, Lithuania 15.2%, Estonia 12.6%, Germany 8.2%, Sweden 5.9%, Poland 4.7% (2010)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$24.05 billion (2010 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$32.51 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 $32.62 billion (2009 est.) $39.76 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 4% industry: 21.7% services: 74.4% (2010 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$14,700 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 $14,600 (2009 est.) $17,700 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

-0.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 -18% (2009 est.) -4.2% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 27.6% (2008)

Imports [time series]

$10.54 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 $9.209 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, fuels, vehicles

Imports - partners [time series]

Lithuania 16.3%, Germany 11.4%, Russia 10%, Poland 7.5%, Estonia 7%, Finland 4.8% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

14.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11

Industries [time series]

processed foods, processed wood products, textiles, processed metals, pharmaceuticals, railroad cars, synthetic fibers, electronics

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

-1.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 3.5% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

18% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Labor force [time series]

1.178 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 139

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 12.1% industry: 25.8% services: 61.8% (2005 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$1.252 billion (31 December 2010) country comparison to the world: 97 $1.824 billion (31 December 2009) $1.609 billion (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

1.56 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

Natural gas - imports [time series]

1.56 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 205

Oil - consumption [time series]

41,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Oil - exports [time series]

3,457 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

Oil - imports [time series]

37,520 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 97

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Public debt [time series]

44.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 36.7% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$7.17 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $6.907 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$12.28 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 $11.85 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$1.011 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 $996.8 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$11.97 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 $11.63 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$26.03 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $28.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$7.186 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $6.092 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

35.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66

Unemployment rate [time series]

18.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 17.1% (2009 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 64,589 sq km country comparison to the world: 124 land: 62,249 sq km water: 2,340 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly larger than West Virginia

Climate [time series]

maritime; wet, moderate winters

Coastline [time series]

498 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Gaizina Kalns 312 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

Latvia's environment has benefited from a shift to service industries after the country regained independence; the main environmental priorities are improvement of drinking water quality and sewage system, household, and hazardous waste management, as well as reduction of air pollution; in 2001, Latvia closed the EU accession negotiation chapter on environment committing to full enforcement of EU environmental directives by 2010

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 0.25 cu km/yr (55%/33%/12%) per capita: 108 cu m/yr (2003)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

57 00 N, 25 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

most of the country is composed of fertile low-lying plains with some hills in the east

Irrigated land [time series]

8 sq km note: land in Latvia is often too wet and in need of drainage not irrigation; approximately 16,000 sq km or 85% of agricultural land has been improved by drainage (2008)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1,382 km border countries: Belarus 171 km, Estonia 343 km, Lithuania 576 km, Russia 292 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 28.19% permanent crops: 0.45% other: 71.36% (2005)

Location [time series]

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Natural hazards [time series]

Natural resources [time series]

peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, timber, arable land

Terrain [time series]

low plain

Total renewable water resources [time series]

49.9 cu km (2005)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

109 municipalities (novadi, singular-novads) and 9 cities municipalities: Adazu Novads, Aglonas Novads, Aizkraukles Novads, Aizputes Novads, Aknistes Novads, Alojas Novads, Alsungas Novads, Aluksnes Novads, Amatas Novads, Apes Novads, Auces Novads, Babites Novads, Baldones Novads, Baltinavas Novads, Balvu Novads, Bauskas Novads, Beverinas Novads, Brocenu Novads, Burtnieku Novads, Carnikavas Novads, Cesu Novads, Cesvaines Novads, Ciblas Novads, Dagdas Novads, Daugavpils Novads, Dobeles Novads, Dundagas Novads, Durbes Novads, Engures Novads, Erglu Novads, Garkalnes Novads, Grobinas Novads, Gulbenes Novads, Iecavas Novads, Ikskiles Novads, Ilukstes Novads, Incukalna Novads, Jaunjelgavas Novads, Juanpiebalgas Novads, Jaunpils Novads, Jekabpils Novads, Jelgavas Novads, Kandavas Novads, Karsavas Novads, Keguma Novads, Kekavas Novads, Kocenu Novads, Kokneses Novads, Kraslavas Novads, Krimuldas Novads, Krustpils Novads, Kuldigas Novads, Lielvardes Novads, Ligatnes Novads, Limbazu Novads, Livanu Novads, Lubanas Novads, Ludzas Novads, Madonas Novads, Malpils Novads, Marupes Novads, Mazsalacas Novads, Nauksenu Novads, Neretas Novads, Nicas Novads, Ogres Novads, Olaines Novads, Ozolnieku Novads, Pargaujas Novads, Pavilostas Novads, Plavinu Novads, Preilu Novads, Priekules Novads, Priekulu Novads, Raunas Novads, Rezeknes Novads, Riebinu Novads, Rojas Novads, Ropazu Novads, Rucavas Novads, Rugaju Novads, Rujienas Novads, Rundales Novads, Salacgrivas Novads, Salas Novads, Salaspils Novads, Saldus Novads, Saulkrastu Novads, Sejas Novads, Siguldas Novads, Skriveru Novads, Skrundas Novads, Smiltenes Novads, Stopinu Novads, Strencu Novads, Talsu Novads, Tervetes Novads, Tukuma Novads, Vainodes Novads, Valkas Novads, Varaklanu Novads, Varkavas Novads, Vecpiebalgas Novads, Vecumnieku Novads, Ventspils Novads, Viesites Novads, Vilakas Novads, Vilanu Novads, Zilupes Novads cities: Daugavpils, Jekabpils, Jelgava, Jurmala, Liepaja, Rezekne, Riga, Valmiera, Ventspils

Capital [time series]

name: Riga geographic coordinates: 56 57 N, 24 06 E 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

Constitution [time series]

15 February 1922; restored to force by the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Latvia adopted by the Supreme Council 21 August 1991; multiple amendments since

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Latvia conventional short form: Latvia local long form: Latvijas Republika local short form: Latvija former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Judith G. GARBER embassy: 7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510 mailing address: American Embassy Riga, US Department of State, 4520 Riga Place, Washington, DC 20520-4520 telephone: [371] 670-36200 FAX: [371] 678-20047

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Andrejs PILDEGOVICS chancery: 2306 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-2840 FAX: [1] (202) 328-2860

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Andris BERZINS (since 8 July 2011) head of government: Prime Minister Valdis DOMBROVSKIS (since 12 March 2009) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by Parliament (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 2 June 2011 (next to be held in 2015); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by Parliament election results: Andris BERZINS elected president; parliamentary vote - Andris BERZINS 53, Valdis ZATLERS 41

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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 by Latvian tribes in about 1280

Government type [time series]

parliamentary democracy

Independence [time series]

4 May 1990 (declared); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)

International law organization participation [time series]

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by parliament); Constitutional Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by parliament)

Legal system [time series]

civil law system with traces of socialist legal traditions and practices

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members elected by proportional representation from party lists by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 17 September 2011 (next to be held in September 2015) election results: percent of vote by party - SC 28.4%, Zatlers 20.8%, Unity 18.8%, National Alliance 13.9%, ZZS 12.2%; seats by party - SC 31, Zatlers 22, Unity 20, National Alliance 14, ZZS 13

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Dievs, sveti Latviju!" (God Bless Latvia) lyrics/music: Karlis BAUMANIS note: adopted 1920, restored 1990; the song was first performed in 1873 while Latvia was a part of Russia; the anthem was banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 was the date Latvia declared independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 4 May 1990 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union

National symbol(s) [time series]

white wagtail (bird)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

All For Latvia! [Irnants PARADNIEKS, Raivis DZINTARS]; Civic Union [Sandra KALNIETE, Girts Valdis KRISTOVSKIS]; First Party of Latvia/Latvia's Way or LPP/LC [Ainars SLESERS]; For Human Rights in a United Latvia or PCTVL [Jakovs PLINERS, Tatjana ZDANOKA]; For the Fatherland and Freedom/Latvian National Independence Movement or TB/LNNK [Roberts ZILE, Maris GRINBLATS]; Harmony Center or SC [Nils USAKOVS, Janis URBANOVICS]; National Alliance (alliance of TB/LNNK, All For Latvia!) [Gaidis BERZINS, Raivis DZINTARS]; New Era Party or JL [Solvita ABOLTINA, Dzintars ZAKIS]; Society for Different Politics or SCP [Aigars STOKENBERGS; Artis PABRIKS]; The Union of Latvian Greens and Farmers Party or ZZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS]; Unity [Solvita ABOLTINA]; Zatlers' Reform Party [Valdis ZATLERS]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia [Peteris KRIGERS], Employers' Confederation of Latvia [Elina EGLE], Farmers' Parliament [Juris LAZDINS]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens

Introduction

Background [time series]

The name "Latvia" originates from the ancient Latgalians, one of four eastern Baltic tribes that formed 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 it was annexed by the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. Latvia reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 546,090 females age 16-49: 540,810 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 401,691 females age 16-49: 447,638 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 10,482 female: 9,858 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

National Armed Forces (Nacionalo Brunoto Speku): Land Forces, Navy (Latvijas Juras Speki; includes Coast Guard (Latvijas Kara Flotes)), Latvian Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa Speki), Latvian Home Guard (Latvijas Zemessardze) (2011)

Military expenditures [time series]

1.2% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 123

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; conscription abolished January 2007; under current law, every citizen is entitled to serve in the armed forces for life (2009)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 13.5% (male 152,706/female 145,756) 15-64 years: 69.5% (male 747,044/female 785,521) 65 years and over: 16.9% (male 121,570/female 252,111) (2011 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

9.96 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 193

Death rate [time series]

13.6 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 18

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 96% of population total: 99% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 4% of population total: 1% of population (2008)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

5% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 57

Ethnic groups [time series]

Latvian 59.3%, Russian 27.8%, Belarusian 3.6%, Ukrainian 2.5%, Polish 2.4%, Lithuanian 1.3%, other 3.1% (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.7% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 59

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

8,600 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

8.1% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 56

Hospital bed density [time series]

6.42 beds/1,000 population (2009) country comparison to the world: 22

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 8.42 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 159 male: 10.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Languages [time series]

Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3% (2000 census)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 72.68 years country comparison to the world: 122 male: 67.56 years female: 78.07 years (2011 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.7% male: 99.8% female: 99.7% (2000 census)

Major urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]

RIGA (capital) 711,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis (2009)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

20 deaths/100,000 live births (2008) country comparison to the world: 125

Median age [time series]

total: 40.6 years male: 37.6 years female: 43.7 years (2011 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Latvian(s) adjective: Latvian

Net migration rate [time series]

-2.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 170

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

15.6% (2006) country comparison to the world: 35

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

2.988 physicians/1,000 population (2009) country comparison to the world: 40

Population [time series]

2,204,708 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.597% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 223

Religions [time series]

Lutheran 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, other Christian 1%, other 0.4%, unspecified 63.7% (2006)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 82% of population rural: 71% of population total: 78% of population unimproved: urban: 18% of population rural: 29% of population total: 22% of population (2008)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 17 years (2008)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.054 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.32 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 33.8% country comparison to the world: 12 male: 38.3% female: 27.9% (2009)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 68% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: -0.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Russia demands better Latvian treatment of ethnic Russians in Latvia; boundary demarcated with Latvia and Lithuania; the Latvian parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Latvia has implemented the strict Schengen border rules with Russia

Illicit drugs [time series]

transshipment and destination point for cocaine, synthetic drugs, opiates, and cannabis from Southwest Asia, Western Europe, Latin America, and neighboring Balkan countries; despite improved legislation, vulnerable to money laundering due to nascent enforcement capabilities and comparatively weak regulation of offshore companies and the gaming industry; CIS organized crime (including counterfeiting, corruption, extortion, stolen cars, and prostitution) accounts for most laundered proceeds

Transportation

Airports [time series]

42 (2010) country comparison to the world: 101

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 19 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 7 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 23 under 914 m: 23 (2010)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 13 country comparison to the world: 108 by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 4 (Estonia 4) registered in other countries: 90 (Antigua and Barbuda 16, Belize 10, Cambodia 1, Comoros 1, Cook Islands 1, Dominica 1, Georgia 1, Liberia 9, Malta 11, Marshall Islands 18, Panama 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15) (2010)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 948 km; refined products 415 km (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Riga, Ventspils

Railways [time series]

total: 2,239 km country comparison to the world: 67 broad gauge: 2,206 km 1.520-m gauge narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2010)

Roadways [time series]

total: 73,074 km country comparison to the world: 64 paved: 14,459 km unpaved: 58,615 km (2010)

Waterways [time series]

300 km (navigable year round) (2010) country comparison to the world: 93