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Communications

Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]

total: 503,804 (2020) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 26.71 (2020 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: 1.67 million (2021 est.) percent of population: 88.9% (2020 est.)

Telecommunication systems [time series]

general assessment: recent efforts focused on bringing competition to the telecommunications sector; the number of fixed-line phones is decreasing as mobile-cellular telephone service expands; EU regulatory policies, and framework provide guidelines for growth; government adopted measures to build a national fiber broadband network, partially funded by European Commission; new competition in mobile markets with extensive LTE-A technologies and 5G service growth; developing sophisticated digital economy with e-commerce and e-government widely available; operator working on cable to Sakhalin in Russia s Far East (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 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 211,849 (2020) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11.23 (2020 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 2,051,359 (2020) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 108.8 (2020 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products [time series]

wheat, milk, rapeseed, barley, oats, potatoes, rye, beans, pork, poultry

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]

$40.164 billion (2019 est.) $42.488 billion (2018 est.)

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]

$20.23 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2020 est.) $20.5 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.) $21.12 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

lumber, broadcasting equipment, whiskey and other hard liquors, wheat, packaged medicines (2019)

Exports - partners [time series]

Lithuania 16%, Estonia 10%, Russia 9%, Germany 7%, Sweden 6%, United Kingdom 6% (2019)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$34.084 billion (2019 est.)

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.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income [time series]

35.6 (2017 est.) 35.4 (2014)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$19.84 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2020 est.) $20.79 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.) $21.38 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, cars, packaged medicines, aircraft (2019)

Imports - partners [time series]

Russia 21%, Lithuania 14%, Germany 9%, Poland 7%, Estonia 7% (2019)

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]

22.9% (2018 est.)

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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) [time series]

$56.92 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2020 est.) $59.06 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.) $57.88 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars

Real GDP growth rate [time series]

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

Real GDP per capita [time series]

$29,900 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2020 est.) $30,900 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.) $30,000 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars

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.)

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

total: 14.9% male: 14.4% female: 15.5% (2020 est.)

Energy

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.)

Environment

Air pollutants [time series]

particulate matter emissions: 12.72 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 7 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 1.85 megatons (2020 est.)

Climate [time series]

maritime; wet, moderate winters

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

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 29.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 18.6% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 10.5% (2018 est.) forest: 54.1% (2018 est.) other: 16.7% (2018 est.)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

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

Revenue from coal [time series]

coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from forest resources [time series]

forest revenues: 0.85% of GDP (2018 est.)

Total renewable water resources [time series]

34.94 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Total water withdrawal [time series]

municipal: 94.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 25.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 61.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 68.4% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: -0.68% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Waste and recycling [time series]

municipal solid waste generated annually: 857,000 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 181,941 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 21.2% (2015 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

Climate [time series]

maritime; wet, moderate winters

Coastline [time series]

498 km

Elevation [time series]

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

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% (2018 est.) arable land: 18.6% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 10.5% (2018 est.) forest: 54.1% (2018 est.) other: 16.7% (2018 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]

36 municipalities (novadi, singular - novads) and 7 state cities (valstpilsetu pasvaldibas, singular valstspilsetas pasvaldiba) municipalities: Adazi, Aizkraukle, Aluksne, Augsdaugava, Balvi, Bauska, Cesis, Dienvidkurzeme, Dobele, Gulbene, Jekabpils, Jelgava, Kekava, Kraslava, Kuldiga, Limbazi, Livani, Ludza, Madona, Marupe, Ogre, Olaine, Preili, Rezekne, Ropazi, Salaspils, Saldus, Saulkrasti, Sigulda, Smiltene, Talsi, Tukums, Valka, Valmiera, Varaklani, Ventspils cities: Daugavpils, Jelgava, Jurmala, Liepaja, Rezekne, Riga, Ventspils

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 (while occupied by the USSR) 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) embassy: 1 Samnera Velsa Street (former Remtes), Riga LV-1510 mailing address: 4520 Riga Place, Washington DC 20521-4520 telephone: [371] 6710-7000 FAX: [371] 6710-7050 email address and website: askconsular-riga@state.gov https://lv.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Maris SELGA (since 16 September 2019) chancery: 2306 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-2840 FAX: [1] (202) 328-2860 email address and website: embassy.usa@mfa.gov.lv https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/usa

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 - S 19.8%, KPV LV 14.3%, JKP 13.6%, AP! 12%, NA 11%, ZZS 9.9%, JV 6.7%, other 12.7%; seats by party - S 23, KPV LV 16, JKP 16, AP! 13, NA 13, ZZS 11, JV 8; composition (as of October 2021) - men 71, women 29, percent of women 29%

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 S [Janis URBANOVICS] Union of Greens and Farmers or ZZS [Armands KRAUZE] New Unity or JV [Arvils ASERADENS] Who Owns the State? or KPV LV (disbanded 2021)

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 - note [time series]

Latvia officially became a member of NATO in 2004 since 2017, Latvia has hosted a multi-national NATO ground force battlegroup as part of the Alliance s Enhanced Forward Presence initiative; the battlegroup is led by Canada and had about 1,500 troops on a continuous rotational basis as of 2021 NATO also has provided air protection for Latvia since 2004 through its Air Policing mission; NATO member countries that possess air combat capabilities voluntarily contribute to the mission on 4-month rotations

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 (2021)

Military and security service personnel strengths [time series]

the National Armed Forces of Latvia have approximately 6,500 active duty troops (5,500 Land Forces; 500 Naval Force/Coast Guard; 500 Air Force; note - some Land Forces are considered joint forces); 8,200 National Guard (2021)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions [time series]

the Latvian military's inventory is limited and consists of a mixture of Soviet-era and more modern--mostly second-hand--European and US equipment; since 2010, it has received limited amounts of equipment from several European countries, as well as the US (2021)

Military expenditures [time series]

2.27% of GDP (2020 est.) 2.03% of GDP (2019) 2.06% of GDP (2018) 1.59% of GDP (2017) 1.44% of GDP (2016)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; no conscription (abolished 2007); under current law, every citizen is entitled to serve in the armed forces for life (2021)

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.)

Birth rate [time series]

8.96 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

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

6.2% (2018)

Death rate [time series]

14.63 deaths/1,000 population (2021 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]

improved: urban: 98.8% of population rural: 98.2% of population total: 98.6% of population unimproved: urban: 1.2% of population rural: 1.8% of population total: 1.4% of population (2017 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

4.2% of GDP (2018)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

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]

5.5 beds/1,000 population (2018)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 4.93 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)

Languages [time series]

Latvian (official) 56.3%, Russian 33.8%, other 0.6% (includes Polish, Ukrainian, and Belarusian), unspecified 9.4%; note - data represent language usually spoken at home (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): World Factbook, neaizstājams avots pamata informāciju. (Latvian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 75.65 years male: 71.19 years female: 80.33 years (2021 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.9% male: 99.9% female: 99.9% (2018)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

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

Major urban areas - population [time series]

628,000 RIGA (capital) (2021)

Maternal mortality ratio [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]

27.3 years (2019 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Latvian(s) adjective: Latvian

Net migration rate [time series]

-5.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 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]

1,862,687 (July 2021 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]

-1.1% (2021 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]

improved: urban: 98.9% of population rural: 84.6% of population total: 94.3% of population unimproved: urban: 1.1% of population rural: 15.4% of population total: 5.7% of population (2017 est.)

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

total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2019)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.82 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.5 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.54 children born/woman (2021 est.)

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

total: 14.9% male: 14.4% female: 15.5% (2020 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 68.4% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: -0.68% annual rate of change (2020-25 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 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: 209,167 (2020); 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]

total: 42 (2013)

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 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 24 under 914 m: 24 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

Heliports [time series]

1 (2013)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 70 by type: general cargo 22, oil tanker 9, other 39 (2021)

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)