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Communications

Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]

total: 525,995 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 27 (2018 est.)

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

Internet country code [time series]

.lv

Internet users [time series]

total: 1,607,711 | percent of population: 83.58% (July 2018 est.)

Telecommunication systems [time series]

general assessment: recent efforts focused on bringing competition to the telecommunications sector; the number of fixed-line is decreasing as mobile-cellular telephone service expands; EU regulatory policies, and framework provide guidelines for growth; govt. adopted measures to build a national fiber broadband network, part-funded by European Commission; new competition in mobile markets with extensive LTE-A technologies and 5G service growth (2020) | domestic: fixed-line 12 per 100 and mobile-cellular 109 per 100 subscriptions (2019) | international: country code - 371; the Latvian network is now connected via fiber-optic cable to Estonia, Finland, and Sweden | note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 227,149 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11.94 (2019 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 2,067,174 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 108.66 (2019 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: 11.39 billion (2017 est.) | expenditures: 11.53 billion (2017 est.)

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

-0.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Credit ratings [time series]

Fitch rating: A- (2014) | Moody's rating: A3 (2015) | Standard & Poors rating: A+ (2020)

Current account balance [time series]

-$222 million (2019 est.) | -$99 million (2018 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$40.02 billion (31 March 2016 est.) | $38.19 billion (31 March 2015 est.)

Ease of Doing Business Index scores [time series]

94.1 (2020)

Economic overview [time series]

Latvia is a small, open economy with exports contributing more than half 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 slowing world economy. Triggered by the collapse of the second largest bank, GDP plunged by more than 14% in 2009 and, despite strong growth since 2011, the economy took until 2017 return to pre-crisis levels in real terms. Strong investment and consumption, the latter stoked by rising wages, helped the economy grow by more than 4% in 2017, while inflation rose to 3%. Continued gains in competitiveness and investment will be key to maintaining economic growth, especially in light of unfavorable demographic trends, including the emigration of skilled workers, and one of the highest levels of income inequality in the EU. In the wake of the 2008-09 crisis, 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, although, the austerity measures imposed large social costs. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises, including 80% ownership of the Latvian national airline. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999 and the EU in May 2004. Latvia also joined the euro zone in 2014 and the OECD in 2016.

Exchange rates [time series]

euros (EUR) per US dollar - | 0.82771 (2020 est.) | 0.90338 (2019 est.) | 0.87789 (2018 est.) | 0.885 (2014 est.) | 0.7634 (2013 est.)

Exports [time series]

$20.444 billion (2019 est.) | $20.007 billion (2018 est.) | $19.153 billion (2017 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

Lithuania 15.8%, Russia 14%, Estonia 10.9%, Germany 6.9%, Sweden 5.7%, UK 4.9%, Poland 4.3%, Denmark 4.1% (2017)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$34.084 billion (2019 est.)

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

$56.651 billion (2019 est.) | $55.507 billion (2018 est.) | $53.268 billion (2017 est.) | note: data are in 2010 dollars

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 61.8% (2017 est.) | government consumption: 18.2% (2017 est.) | investment in fixed capital: 19.9% (2017 est.) | investment in inventories: 1.5% (2017 est.) | exports of goods and services: 60.6% (2017 est.) | imports of goods and services: -61.9% (2017 est.)

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

agriculture: 3.9% (2017 est.) | industry: 22.4% (2017 est.) | services: 73.7% (2017 est.)

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

$16,778 (2019 est.) | $16,254 (2018 est.) | $15,417 (2017 est.) | note: data are in 2010 dollars

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

2.08% (2019 est.) | 4.2% (2018 est.) | 3.23% (2017 est.)

Gross national saving [time series]

20.7% of GDP (2017 est.) | 21% of GDP (2016 est.) | 21.8% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.2% | highest 10%: 26.3% (2015)

Imports [time series]

$22.049 billion (2019 est.) | $21.397 billion (2018 est.) | $20.096 billion (2017 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

Lithuania 17.6%, Germany 11.7%, Poland 8.7%, Estonia 7.6%, Russia 7.1%, Netherlands 4.2%, Finland 4.2%, Italy 4% (2017)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

10.6% (2017 est.)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2.8% (2019 est.) | 2.5% (2018 est.) | 2.9% (2017 est.)

Labor force [time series]

885,000 (2020 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 7.7% | industry: 24.1% | services: 68.1% (2016 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

25.5% (2015)

Public debt [time series]

36.3% of GDP (2017 est.) | 37.4% of GDP (2016 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]

$4.614 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $3.514 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

37.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

6.14% (2019 est.) | 6.51% (2018 est.)

Energy

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

8.632 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity - consumption [time series]

6.798 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports [time series]

3.795 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

39% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

53% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

8% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

4.828 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

2.932 million kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

6.241 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access [time series]

electrification - total population: 100% (2020)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

1.218 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

1.246 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

44,600 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

16,180 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

54,370 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 64,589 sq km | land: 62,249 sq km | water: 2,340 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly larger than West Virginia | Area comparison map: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Europe :: Latvia Print Image Description slightly larger than West Virginia

Climate [time series]

maritime; wet, moderate winters

Coastline [time series]

498 km

Elevation [time series]

mean elevation: 87 m | lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m | highest point: Gaizina Kalns 312 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

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 water quality, sewage treatment, household and hazardous waste management, as well as reduction of air pollution; concerns include nature protection and the management of water resources and the protection of the Baltic Sea

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

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]

12 sq km (2012) | 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

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1,370 km | border countries (4): Belarus 161 km, Estonia 333 km, Lithuania 544 km, Russia 332 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 29.2% (2011 est.) | arable land: 18.6% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 0.1% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 10.5% (2011 est.) | forest: 54.1% (2011 est.) | other: 16.7% (2011 est.)

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: limits as agreed to by Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Russia | continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Natural hazards [time series]

large percentage of agricultural fields can become waterlogged and require drainage

Natural resources [time series]

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

Population distribution [time series]

largest concentration of people is found in and around the port and capital city of Riga; small agglomerations are scattered throughout the country

Terrain [time series]

low plain

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

110 municipalities (novadi, singular - novads) and 9 cities municipalities: Adazi, Aglona, Aizkraukle, Aizpute, Akniste, Aloja, Alsunga, Aluksne, Amata, Ape, Auce, Babite, Baldone, Baltinava, Balvi, Bauska, Beverina, Broceni, Burtnieki, Carnikava, Cesis, Cesvaine, Cibla, Dagda, Daugavpils, Dobele, Dundaga, Durbe, Engure, Ergli, Garkalne, Grobina, Gulbene, Iecava, Ikskile, Ilukste, Incukalns, Jaunjelgava, Jaunpiebalga, Jaunpils, Jekabpils, Jelgava, Kandava, Karsava, Kegums, Kekava, Koceni, Koknese, Kraslava, Krimulda, Krustpils, Kuldiga, Lielvarde, Ligatne, Limbazi, Livani, Lubanas, Ludza, Madona, Malpils, Marupe, Mazsalaca, Mersrags, Naukseni, Nereta, Nica, Ogre, Olaine, Ozolnieki, Pargauja, Pavilosta, Plavinas, Preili, Priekule, Priekuli, Rauna, Rezekne, Riebini, Roja, Ropazi, Rucava, Rugaji, Rujiena, Rundale, Salacgriva, Sala, Salaspils, Saldus, Saulkrasti, Seja, Sigulda, Skriveri, Skrunda, Smiltene, Stopini, Strenci, Talsi, Tervete, Tukums, Vainode, Valka, Varaklani, Varkava, Vecpiebalga, Vecumnieki, Ventspils, Viesites, Vilaka, Vilani, Zilupe 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 | etymology: of the several theories explaining the name's origin, the one relating to the city's role in Baltic and North Sea commerce is the most probable; the name is likely related to the Latvian word "rija," meaning "warehouse," where the 'j' became a 'g' under the heavy German influence in the city from the late Middle Ages to the early 20th century

Citizenship [time series]

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 [time series]

history: several previous (pre-1991 independence); note - following the restoration of independence in 1991, parts of the 1922 constitution were reintroduced 4 May 1990 and fully reintroduced 6 July 1993 | amendments: 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; amended several times, last in 2019

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 | etymology: 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.)

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador John Leslie CARWILE (since 5 November 2019) | telephone: [371] 6710-7000 | embassy: 1 Samnera Velsa St, Riga LV-1510 | mailing address: Embassy of the United States of America, 1 Samnera Velsa St, Riga, LV-1510 | FAX: [371] 6710-7050

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Andris TEIKMANIS (since 16 September 2016) | chancery: 2306 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 | telephone: [1] (202) 328-2840 | FAX: [1] (202) 328-2860

Executive branch [time series]

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, appointed by Parliament | elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by Parliament for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 29 May 2019 (next to be held in 2023); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by Parliament | election results: Egils LEVITS elected president; Parliament vote - Egils LEVITS 61 votes, Didzis SMITS 24, Juris JANSONS 8; Krisjanis KARINS confirmed prime minister 61-39

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 republic

Independence [time series]

18 November 1918 (from Soviet Russia); 4 May 1990 (declared from the Soviet Union); 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, 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, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

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 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]

description: unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) | elections: last held on 6 October 2018 (next to be held in October 2022) | election results: percent of vote by party - SDPS 19.8%, KPV LV 14.3%, JKP 13.6%, AP! 12%, NA 11%, ZZS 9.9%, V 6.7%, other 12.7%; seats by party - SDPS 23, KPV LV 16, JKP 16, AP! 13, NA 13, ZZS 11, V 8; composition - men 69, women 31, percent of women 31%

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

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 occupation from 1940 to 1990

National holiday [time series]

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

National symbol(s) [time series]

white wagtail (bird); national colors: maroon, white

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

Development/For! or AP! [Daniels PAVLUTS, Juris PUCE] National Alliance "All For Latvia!"-"For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK" or NA [Raivis DZINTARS] New Conservative Party or JKP [Janis BORDANS] Social Democratic Party "Harmony" or SDPS [Nils USAKOVS] Union of Greens and Farmers or ZZS [Armands KRAUZE] Unity or V [Arvils ASERADENS] Who Owns the State? or KPV LV [Artuss KAIMINS]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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 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 26% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia acceded to both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004; it joined the euro zone in 2014 and the OECD in 2016. A dual citizenship law was adopted in 2013, easing naturalization for non-citizen children.

Military and Security

Military and security forces [time series]

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 Speki), National Guard (2019)

Military and security service personnel strengths [time series]

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 Force) (2019 est.)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions [time series]

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 Netherlands, Sweden, the UK, and the US (2019 est.)

Military expenditures [time series]

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)

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 (2017)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 15.32% (male 148,120/female 140,028) | 15-24 years: 9% (male 87,372/female 81,965) | 25-54 years: 40.41% (male 380,817/female 379,359) | 55-64 years: 14.77% (male 125,401/female 152,548) | 65 years and over: 20.5% (male 128,151/female 257,471) (2020 est.) | population pyramid: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Europe :: Latvia Print Image Description This is the population pyramid for Latvia. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.

Birth rate [time series]

9.2 births/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Current health expenditure (Current Health Expenditure) [time series]

6% (2017)

Death rate [time series]

14.6 deaths/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 59 | youth dependency ratio: 26.1 | elderly dependency ratio: 32.9 | potential support ratio: 3 (2020 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

4.4% of GDP (2017)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Latvian 62.2%, Russian 25.2%, Belarusian 3.2%, Ukrainian 2.2%, Polish 2.1%, Lithuanian 1.2%, other 1.5%, unspecified 2.3% (2018 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.3% (2019 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

<100 (2019 est.)

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

5,600 (2019 est.)

Hospital bed density [time series]

5.6 beds/1,000 population (2017)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 5 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 5.4 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 4.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2020 est.)

Languages [time series]

Latvian (official) 56.3%, Russian 33.8%, other 0.6% (includes Polish, Ukrainian, and Belarusian), unspecified 9.4% (2011 est.) | note: data represent language usually spoken at home

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 75.4 years | male: 70.9 years | female: 80.1 years (2020 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 99.9% | male: 99.9% | female: 99.9% (2015)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: intermediate (2020) | vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis

Major urban areas - population [time series]

631,000 RIGA (capital) (2020)

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

19 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 44.4 years | male: 40.5 years | female: 48 years (2020 est.)

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

27.6 years (2017 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Latvian(s) | adjective: Latvian

Net migration rate [time series]

-5.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

23.6% (2016)

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

3.19 physicians/1,000 population (2017)

Population [time series]

1,881,232 (July 2020 est.)

Population distribution [time series]

largest concentration of people is found in and around the port and capital city of Riga; small agglomerations are scattered throughout the country

Population growth rate [time series]

-1.12% (2020 est.)

Religions [time series]

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

Sanitation facility access [time series]

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

total: 16 years | male: 16 years | female: 17 years (2018)

Sex ratio [time series]

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.53 children born/woman (2020 est.)

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

total: 12.2% | male: 12.5% | female: 11.8% (2018 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 68.3% of total population (2020) | rate of urbanization: -0.93% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.) | total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030: PDF

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 Baltic 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: 216,851 (2019); 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)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 18 (2017) | over 3,047 m: 1 (2017) | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2017) | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2017) | 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2017) | under 914 m: 7 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 24 (2013) | under 914 m: 24 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

YL (2016)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2013)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 58 | by type: general cargo 11, oil tanker 8, other 39 (2019)

National air transport system [time series]

number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020) | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 53 | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 4,058,762 (2018) | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 4.01 million mt-km (2018)

Pipelines [time series]

1,213 km gas, 417 km refined products (2018)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Riga, Ventspils

Railways [time series]

total: 1,860 km (2018) | narrow gauge: 34 km 0.750-m gauge (2018) | broad gauge: 1,826 km 1.520-m gauge (2018)

Roadways [time series]

total: 70,244 km (2018) | paved: 15,158 km (2018) | unpaved: 55,086 km (2018)

Waterways [time series]

300 km (navigable year-round) (2010)