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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 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]

359,604 (2012) country comparison to the world: 58

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 roughly 150 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]

501,000 (2012) country comparison to the world: 97

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

2.31 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 139

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $10.9 billion expenditures: $10.95 billion (2013 est.)

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

-0.2% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 47

Central bank discount rate [time series]

3.5% (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 3.5% (31 December 2010 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

5% (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 5.52% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$613.9 million (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 -$473.4 million (2012 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$39.87 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $39.43 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

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

35.2 (2010) country comparison to the world: 90 32 (1999)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Latvia is a small, open economy with exports contributing nearly a third of 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 electronics industries. Corruption continues to be an impediment to attracting foreign direct investment 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. Triggered by the collapse of the second largest bank, GDP plunged 18% in 2009. The economy has not returned to pre-crisis levels despite strong growth, especially in the export sector in 2011-12. 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 in exchange for the government's commitment to stringent austerity measures. The IMF/EU program successfully concluded in December 2011. The government of Prime Minister Valdis DOMBROVSKIS remains committed to fiscal prudence and reducing the fiscal deficit. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises, including 99.8% ownership of the Latvian national airline. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999 and the EU in May 2004. Latvia intends to join the euro zone in 2014.

Exchange rates [time series]

lati (LVL) per US dollar - 0.5313 (2013 est.) 0.5469 (2012 est.) 0.5305 (2010 est.) 0.5056 (2009) 0.4701 (2008) note: Latvia joined the EMU and adopted the euro as its currency on 1 January 2014

Exports [time series]

$12.67 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 $12.23 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

Russia 18.2%, Lithuania 14.9%, Estonia 12.1%, Germany 7.5%, Poland 5.6%, Sweden 4.8% (2012)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$30.38 billion (2013 est.)

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

$38.87 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 $37.38 billion (2012 est.) $35.4 billion (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 62.4% government consumption: 15% investment in fixed capital: 22.5% investment in inventories: 2.8% exports of goods and services: 61.3% imports of goods and services: -63.9% (2013 est.)

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

agriculture: 4.9% industry: 25.7% services: 69.4% (2013 est.)

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

$19,100 (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 $18,300 (2012 est.) $17,100 (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

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

4% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 5.6% (2012 est.) 5.5% (2011 est.)

Gross national saving [time series]

23.2% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 24.6% of GDP (2012 est.) 22.7% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$15.56 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 $15.15 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

Lithuania 19.1%, Germany 11.6%, Russia 9.2%, Poland 8.2%, Estonia 7.6%, Italy 4.6%, Finland 4.4% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

4.2% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 69

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

0.2% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 2.3% (2012 est.)

Labor force [time series]

1.022 million (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 8.8% industry: 24% services: 67.2% (2010 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$1.115 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 $1.076 billion (31 December 2011) $1.252 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Public debt [time series]

39.2% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 40.7% of GDP (2012 est.) 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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$7.22 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 $7.523 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$12.57 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 $12.63 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$2.212 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $1.992 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

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

$15.49 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 $14.14 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$17.39 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 $18.39 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$9.865 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $9.099 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

35.9% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 61

Unemployment rate [time series]

9.8% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 11.4% (2012 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

8.475 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 208

Crude oil - production [time series]

1,000 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 154

Electricity - consumption [time series]

6.56 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

Electricity - exports [time series]

2.764 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 37

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

27.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 186

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

70.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 22

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

1.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 73

Electricity - imports [time series]

4.009 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 41

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

2.166 million kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 100

Electricity - production [time series]

6.412 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

1.52 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 82

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Natural gas - imports [time series]

1.58 billion cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 52

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

31,340 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

6,146 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 89

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

35,930 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

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: 0.42 cu km/yr (42%/45%/13%) per capita: 177.9 cu m/yr (2007)

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]

8.3 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 (2007)

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: 17.96% permanent crops: 0.11% other: 81.93% (2011)

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]

35.45 cu km (2011)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

110 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, Jaunpiebalgas 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, Mersraga 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]

several previous (preindependence); note - at independence, parts of the 1922 constitution were reinforced and fully reinforced 6 July 1993; amended several times, last in 2009 (2009)

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 Mark A. PEKALA (since 10 July 2012) embassy: 1 Samnera Velsa St, Riga LV-1510 mailing address: Embassy of the United States of America, 1 Samnera Velsa St, Riga, LV-1510, Latvia telephone: [371] 6710-7000 FAX: [371] 6710-7050

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Andris RAZANS (since 27 July 2012) 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 Laimdota STRAUJUMA (since 22 January 2014) 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, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), 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, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the Senate with 27 judges and Supreme Court of Chambers with 22 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 judges) 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 subordinate courts: district (city) and regional courts

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 October 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - SC 28.4%, Reform 20.8%, Unity 18.8%, National Alliance 13.9%, ZZS 12.2%, other 5.9%; seats by party - SC 31, Unity 20, Reform 16, National Alliance 14, ZZS 13, unaffiliated 6

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

name: "Dievs, sveti Latviju!" (God Bless Latvia)

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]

Union of Greens and Farmers or ZZS [Raimonds VEJONIS] Harmony Center or SC [Nils USAKOVS] National Alliance "All For Latvia!"-"For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK" or NA [Gaidis BERZINS, Raivis DZINTARS] Unity [Solvita ABOLTINA] Reform Party or RP [Edmunds DEMITERS]

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

Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia [Peteris KRIGERS] Employers' Confederation of Latvia [Vitalijs GAVRILOVS] Farmers' Parliament [Juris LAZDINS]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

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 28% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia acceded to both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004; it joined the eurozone in 2014.

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 (Latvijas Sauszemes Speki), 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]

0.92% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 106 1.05% of GDP (2011) 0.92% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

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 (2012)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 14.2% (male 156,851/female 150,074) 15-24 years: 11% (male 121,435/female 116,602) 25-54 years: 44.8% (male 481,336/female 487,991) 55-64 years: 12.8% (male 122,544/female 155,114) 65 years and over: 17.1% (male 121,668/female 251,550) (2014 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

9.79 births/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 198

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

67.8% note: percent of women aged 18-49 (1995)

Death rate [time series]

13.6 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 14

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 51 % youth dependency ratio: 22.9 % elderly dependency ratio: 28.1 % potential support ratio: 3.6 (2014 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: 99.6% of population rural: 95.8% of population total: 98.4% of population unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population rural: 4.2% of population total: 1.6% of population (2012 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

5% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 77

Ethnic groups [time series]

Latvian 61.1%, Russian 26.2%, Belarusian 3.5%, Ukrainian 2.3%, Polish 2.2%, Lithuanian 1.3%, other 3.4% (2013 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.7% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 58

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 74

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

8,600 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 110

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

6.7% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 93

Hospital bed density [time series]

5.3 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 7.91 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 156 male: 9.6 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

Languages [time series]

Latvian (official) 56.3%, Russian 33.8%, other 0.6% (includes Polish, Ukrainian, and Belarusian), unspecified 9.4% (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 73.44 years country comparison to the world: 123 male: 68.41 years female: 78.75 years (2014 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: 99.8% female: 99.8% (2011 est.)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: intermediate vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis (2013)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

RIGA (capital) 701,000 (2011)

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

34 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 120

Median age [time series]

total: 41.4 years male: 38.4 years female: 44.3 years (2014 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]

26.4 (2011 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Latvian(s) adjective: Latvian

Net migration rate [time series]

-2.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 172

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

24.9% (2008) country comparison to the world: 62

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

2.9 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population [time series]

2,165,165 (July 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.62% (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 225

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: 82.1% of population rural: 71.1% of population total: 78.6% of population unimproved: urban: 17.9% of population rural: 28.9% of population total: 21.4% of population (2009 est.)

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

total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2011)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.86 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.35 children born/woman (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 211

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

total: 28.4% country comparison to the world: 29 male: 27.6% female: 29.3% (2012)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 67.7% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: -0.38% 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

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

stateless persons: 280,759 (2012); note - individuals who were Latvian citizens prior to the 1940 Soviet occupation and their descendants were recognized as Latvian citizens when the country's independence was restored in 1991; citizens of the former Soviet Union residing in Latvia who have neither Latvian nor other citizenship are considered non-citizens (officially there is no statelessness in Latvia) and are entitled to non-citizen passports; children born after Latvian independence to stateless parents are entitled to Latvian citizenship upon their parents' request; non-citizens cannot vote or hold certain government jobs and are exempt from military service but can travel visa-free in the EU under the Schengen accord like Latvian citizens; non-citizens can obtain naturalization if they have been permanent residents of Latvia for at least five years, pass tests in Latvian language and history, and know the words of the Latvian national anthem

Transportation

Airports [time series]

42 (2013) country comparison to the world: 101

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 18 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 7 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 24 under 914 m: 24 (2013)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2013)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 11 country comparison to the world: 113 by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 3 (Estonia 3) registered in other countries: 79 (Antigua and Barbuda 16, Belize 9, Comoros 2, Dominica 2, Georgia 1, Liberia 5, Malta 8, Marshall Islands 19, Russia 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15) (2010)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 928 km; refined products 415 km (2013)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Riga, Ventspils

Railways [time series]

total: 2,239 km country comparison to the world: 68 broad gauge: 2,206 km 1.520-m gauge narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2008)

Roadways [time series]

total: 72,440 km country comparison to the world: 64 paved: 14,707 km unpaved: 57,733 km (2013)

Waterways [time series]

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