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Latvia

2025 Edition · 406 data fields

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Introduction

Background

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 the USSR annexed it in 1940 -- an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. Latvia reestablished its independence in 1991 after the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 25% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia joined both NATO and the EU in 2004; it joined the euro zone in 2014 and the OECD in 2016.

Geography

Area

Land: 62,249 sq km
Total: 64,589 sq km
Water: 2,340 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than West Virginia

Climate

maritime; wet, moderate winters

Coastline

498 km

Continent

Europe

Elevation

Highest point: Gaizina Kalns 312 m
Lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
Mean elevation: 87 m

Geographic coordinates

57 00 N, 25 00 E

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

6 sq km (2016)
note: 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

Border countries: Belarus 161 km; Estonia 333 km; Lithuania 544 km; Russia 332 km
number of neighbors: 4
Total: 1,370 km

Land use

Agricultural land: 31.7% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: arable land: arable land: 21.9% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent crops: permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent pasture: permanent pasture: 9.7% (2023 est.)
arable land: 21.85%
Forest: 55.5% (2023 est.)
Other: 12.8% (2023 est.)
permanent crops: 0.16%

Landlocked

Location

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

Map links

Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/iQpUkH7ghq31ZtXe9
OpenStreetMap: https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/72594

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

Continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Exclusive economic zone: limits as agreed to by Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Russia
Territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural hazards

large percentage of agricultural fields can become waterlogged and require drainage

Natural resources

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

Population distribution

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

Subregion

Northern Europe

Terrain

low plain

Time zone

UTC+02:00
number of time zones: 1

People and Society

Age structure

0-14 years: 14.7% (male 136,482/female 128,492)
15-64 years: 63% (male 562,754/female 572,850)
65 years and over: 22.2% (2024 est.) (male 137,746/female 262,922)

Alcohol consumption per capita

Beer: 4.9 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Other alcohols: 1 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Spirits: 5.3 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Total: 12.9 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Wine: 1.7 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Birth rate

7.24 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Children under 5 years underweight

0.5%

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

0.3% (2021 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

49.6% (2021 est.)

Death rate

14.68 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
adult female: 76 per 1,000
adult male: 227 per 1,000

Dependency ratios

Elderly dependency ratio: 33 (2025 est.)
Potential support ratio: 3 (2025 est.)
Total dependency ratio: 56.2 (2025 est.)
Youth dependency ratio: 23.3 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved total: 97.01%
Improved: rural: rural: 98.9% of population (2022 est.)
Improved: total: total: 98.9% of population (2022 est.)
Improved: urban: urban: 98.9% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: rural: rural: 1.1% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: total: total: 1.1% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: urban: urban: 1.1% of population (2022 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP): 4.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 9.9% national budget (2022 est.)

Education expenditures

4 % of GDP

Ethnic groups

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.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.61 (2025 est.)

Health expenditure

7 % of GDP
Health expenditure (as % of GDP): 9% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 12.1% of national budget (2022 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.19%

Hospital bed density

5.3 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Infant mortality rate

Female: 4.3 deaths/1,000 live births
Male: 5.1 deaths/1,000 live births
neonatal: 2 deaths/1,000 live births
Total: 2.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Languages

Languages: Latvian (official) 56.3%, Russian 33.8%, other 0.6% (includes Polish, Ukrainian, and Belarusian), unspecified 9.4%  (2011 est.)
Major-language sample(s): World Factbook, neaizstājams avots pamata informāciju. (Latvian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Note: note: data represent language usually spoken at home
number of languages: 1

Life expectancy at birth

Female: 81 years
Male: 72 years
Total population: 76.4 years (2024 est.)

Major urban areas - population

621,000 RIGA (capital) (2023)

Maternal mortality ratio

19 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Median age

Female: 49.2 years
Male: 41.6 years
Total: 43.8 years (2025 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

27.3 years (2020 est.)

Nationality

Adjective: Latvian
Noun: Latvian(s)

Net migration rate

-5.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

23.6% (2016)

Physician density

3.4 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Population

Female: 1,011,785
Male: 876,654
Total: 1,888,439 (2025 est.)

Population growth rate

-1.27% (2025 est.)

Religions

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

improved total: 92.53%

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

Female: 17 years (2023 est.)
Male: 15 years (2023 est.)
Total: 16 years (2023 est.)

Sex ratio

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.52 male(s)/female
At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
Total population: 0.87 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Tobacco use

Female: 16.4% (2025 est.)
Male: 43.5% (2025 est.)
Total: 28.8% (2025 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.25 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Urbanization

Rate of urbanization: -0.68% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Urban population: 68.7% of total population (2023)

Vaccination rate

measles: 98%

Government

Administrative divisions

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

Daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Etymology: the name's origin is unclear; it may derive from the Old Lithuanian word ringa, meaning "bend" or "curve" and referring to the city's location on the Western Dvina River; alternatively, it may come from the Latvian word ridzina, meaning "stream"
Geographic coordinates: 56 57 N, 24 06 E
Name: Riga
Time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

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

Coat of arms

svg: https://mainfacts.com/media/images/coats_of_arms/lv.svg

Constitution

Amendment process: 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
History: several previous (pre-1991 independence); after independence was restored in 1991, parts of the 1922 constitution were reintroduced on 4 May 1990 and fully reintroduced on 6 July 1993

Country name

alternative spellings: LV, Republic of Latvia, Latvijas Republika
Conventional long form: Republic of Latvia
Conventional short form: Latvia
Etymology: the name originates from the Latgalians, one of four eastern Baltic tribes that formed the ethnic core of the Latvian people (ca. 8th-12th centuries A.D.)
FIFA code: LVA
Former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic (while occupied by the USSR)
Local long form: Latvijas Republika
local long form (lav): Latvijas Republikas
Local short form: Latvija

Diplomatic representation from the US

Chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Julia JACOBY (since December 2025)
Email address and website: askconsular-riga@state.gov https://lv.usembassy.gov/
Embassy: 1 Samnera Velsa Street (former Remtes), Riga LV-1510
FAX: [371] 6710-7050
Mailing address: 4520 Riga Place, Washington DC  20521-4520
Telephone: [371] 6710-7000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Chancery: 2306 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Chief of mission: Ambassador Elita KUZMA (since 18 September 2024)
Email address and website: embassy.usa@mfa.gov.lv https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/usa
FAX: [1] (202) 328-2860
Telephone: [1] (202) 328-2840

Executive branch

Cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, appointed by Parliament
Chief of state: President Edgars RINKEVICS (since 8 July 2023)
Election results: 2023: Edgars RINKEVICS elected president in the third round; Parliament vote - Edgars RINKEVICS (Unity Party) 52, Uldis Pīlēns (independent) 25; Evika SILINA confirmed as prime minister 53-39 2019: Egils LEVITS elected president; Parliament vote - Egils LEVITS (independent) 61, Didzis SMITS (KPV LV) 24, Juris JANSONS (independent) 8; Krisjanis KARINS confirmed as prime minister 61-39
Election/appointment process: president indirectly elected by Parliament for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by Parliament
Expected date of next election: 2027
Head of government: Prime Minister Evika SILINA (since 15 September 2023)
Most recent election date: 31 May 2023

Flag

description: three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon history: the flag is one of the older banners in the world -- a medieval chronicle mentions Latvian tribes using a red standard with a white stripe around 1280

Flag description

The flag of Latvia has a carmine-red field with a thin white horizontal band across the middle of the field.

Flag image

svg: https://flagcdn.com/lv.svg

Government type

parliamentary republic

Independence

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

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

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, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Highest court(s): 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

civil law system with traces of socialist legal traditions and practices

Legislative branch

Electoral system: proportional representation
Expected date of next election: October 2026
Legislative structure: unicameral
Legislature name: Parliament (Saeima)
Most recent election date: 10/1/2022
Number of seats: 100 (all directly elected)
Parties elected and seats per party: New Unity (VIENOTIBA) (26); Union of Farmers and Greens (ZZS) (16); United List - Latvian Green Party, Latvian Regional Alliance, Liepāja Party (15); National Alliance of All for Latvia!" - "For Fatherland and Freedom / LNNK" (NA) (13); For Stability! (11); Progressives (10); Latvia First (9)
Percentage of women in chamber: 31%
Scope of elections: full renewal
Term in office: 4 years

National color(s)

maroon, white

National heritage

Selected World Heritage Site locales: Historic Center of Riga; Struve Geodetic Arc; Old town of Kuldīga
Total World Heritage Sites: 3 (all cultural)

National holiday

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

National symbol(s)

white wagtail (bird)

Political parties

For Stability or S! For Latvia's Development or LA Harmony or S Honor to Serve Riga! or GKR Latvia First or LPV National Alliance or NA New Unity or JV People. Land. Statehood. or TZV The Progressives or PRO Union of Greens and Farmers or ZZS United List or AS We for Talsi and Municipality or MTuN

Start of week

Monday

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

UN Member

Yes

Economy

Agricultural products

wheat, milk, rapeseed, barley, oats, potatoes, rye, beans, peas, chicken (2023)
note: note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Average household expenditures

On alcohol and tobacco: 7.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
On food: 19.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Budget

Expenditures: $15.432 billion (2023 est.)
Note: note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Revenues: $14.58 billion (2023 est.)

Currency

code: EUR
name: euro (EUR) [€]

Current account balance

$-687,874,801
Current account balance 2022: -$2.082 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023: -$1.663 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024: -$923.266 million (2024 est.)
Note: note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Economic overview

high-income EU and eurozone member; weak recovery following economic contraction, with slight increase in private consumption and uncertain trade environment; challenges from skilled-labor shortages, capital market access, large informal sector, and green and digital transitions

Exchange rates

Currency: euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020: 0.876 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021: 0.845 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022: 0.95 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023: 0.925 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024: 0.924 (2024 est.)

Exports

$28.54 billion
Exports 2022: $29.364 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023: $28.294 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024: $28.117 billion (2024 est.)
Note: note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - commodities

wood, wheat, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicine, natural gas (2023)
note: note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

Lithuania 19%, Estonia 6%, Russia 6%, Germany 6%, Sweden 5% (2023)
note: note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Foreign direct investment

net inflows: $1.51 billion

GDP - composition, by end use

Exports of goods and services: 66.5% (2023 est.)
Government consumption: 20.2% (2023 est.)
Household consumption: 62.7% (2023 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -70.2% (2023 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 24.7% (2023 est.)
Investment in inventories: -0.1% (2023 est.)
Note: note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

Agriculture: 4.1% (2024 est.)
Industry: 19.9% (2024 est.)
Note: note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Services: 63.1% (2024 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$43.521 billion (2024 est.)
note: note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

GDP per capita (nominal)

$23,409

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

35.1 (2018)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2022: 33.7 (2022 est.)
Note: note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

GNI (gross national income)

$42.78 billion

GNI per capita

$21,630

Gross domestic investment

21 % of GDP

Household income or consumption by percentage share

Highest 10%: 25.8% (2022 est.)
Lowest 10%: 2.6% (2022 est.)
Note: note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Imports

$29.24 billion
Imports 2022: $31.206 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023: $29.875 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024: $29.234 billion (2024 est.)
Note: note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, cars, packaged medicine, broadcasting equipment, natural gas (2023)
note: note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Imports - partners

Lithuania 18%, Germany 11%, Poland 10%, Estonia 8%, Finland 5% (2023)
note: note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Industrial production growth rate

-4% (2024 est.)
note: note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.27%
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 17.3% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 8.9% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024: 1.3% (2024 est.)
Note: note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Labor force

954,900 (2024 est.)
note: note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
total: 946,983 persons

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 6.66%
industry: 21.84%
services: 71.5%

Population below poverty line

22.5% (2022 est.)
note: note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Public debt

Note: 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
Public debt 2017: 36.3% of GDP (2017 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$80.98 billion
Note: note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $70.817 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $72.838 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024: $72.516 billion (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

-0.05%
Note: note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 1.8% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 2.9% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024: -0.4% (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita

$43,394
Note: note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita 2022: $37,700 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $38,800 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024: $38,900 (2024 est.)

Remittances

$1.34 billion
Note: note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Remittances 2022: 3.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023: 2.9% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024: 3.1% of GDP (2024 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$5.14 billion
Note: note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $4.46 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $4.957 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024: $5.141 billion (2024 est.)

Revenue (excl grants)

32 % of GDP

Tax revenue

17 % of GDP

Taxes and other revenues

16.7% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
note: note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Unemployment rate

6.57%
Note: note: % of labor force seeking employment
Unemployment rate 2022: 6.9% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 6.5% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024: 6.8% (2024 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

Female: 11.9% (2024 est.)
Male: 13% (2024 est.)
Note: note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Total: 12.5% (2024 est.)

Energy

Coal

Consumption: 20,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Exports: 12,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Imports: 39,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Electricity

Consumption: 6.822 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption per capita: 3,617 kWh
Exports: 3.271 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Imports: 4.075 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Installed generating capacity: 3.428 million kW (2023 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 342.238 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity access

Electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Electricity generation sources

Biomass and waste: 10.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Fossil fuels: 22.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectric: 59.4%
Hydroelectricity: 59.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
nuclear: 0%
renewable: 63.6%
Solar: 3.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Wind: 4.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

2,240 kg of oil equivalent
Total energy consumption per capita 2023: 65.908 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Natural gas

Consumption: 786.523 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Imports: 786.523 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Petroleum

Refined petroleum consumption: 33,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)
Total petroleum production: 2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Renewable energy consumption

44%

Communications

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

per 100 inhabitants: 26 per 100
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 26 (2023 est.)
Total: 489,000 (2023 est.)

Broadcast media

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; dozens of private broadcasters also operate radio stations

Internet country code

.lv

Internet users

Percent of population: 92% (2023 est.)

Postal code format

LV-####

Telephone calling code

+371

Telephones - fixed lines

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2023 est.)
Total subscriptions: 142,000 (2023 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100: 120 per 100
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 121 (2024 est.)
Total subscriptions: 2.27 million (2024 est.)

Transportation

Air transport

passengers carried: 4.48 million passengers
registered carrier departures: 43,243 departures

Airports

55 (2025)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Driving side

Right

Heliports

5 (2025)

Merchant marine

By type: container ship 2, general cargo 30, oil tanker 10, other 41
Total: 83 (2023)

Ports

Key ports: Lielupe, Liepaja, Riga, Salacgriva, Ventspils
Large: 1
Medium: 2
Ports with oil terminals: 3
Small: 0
Total ports: 5 (2024)
Very small: 2

Railways

Total: 2,216 km (2020) 257 km electrified

Vehicle registration code

Military and Security

Land forces

armored vehicles
tanks

Military - note

the National Armed Forces are responsible for the defense of the country’s sovereignty and territory; they also have some domestic security responsibilities, including coast guard functions, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, and providing support to other internal security services; the Military Police provides protection to the president and other government officials, foreign dignitaries, and key facilities; Latvia’s primary external security focus is Russia in 2004, Latvia joined NATO and the EU, both of which it depends on to play a decisive role in Latvia’s security policy; the Latvian military has participated in EU and NATO missions abroad and regularly conducts training and exercises with EU and NATO partner forces; Latvia also hosts NATO partner forces; since 2017, it has hosted a Canadian-led multinational NATO ground force battlegroup as part of the Alliance’s Enhanced Forward Presence initiative; in addition, NATO has provided air protection for Latvia since 2004 through its Baltics Air Policing mission Latvia is a member of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, a pool of high-readiness military forces from 10 Baltic and Scandinavian countries designed to respond to a wide range of contingencies in the North Atlantic, Baltic Sea, and High North regions (2025)

Military and security forces

National Armed Forces (Nacionalie Brunotie Speki or NBS): Land Forces (Latvijas Sauszemes Speki), Naval Force (Latvijas Juras Speki, includes Coast Guard (Latvijas Kara Flote)), Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa Speki), National Guard (aka Land Guard or Zemessardze) Ministry of Interior: State Police, State Border Guards, State Security Service (2025)
active duty personnel: 9,000
note: note: the State Border Guard may become part of the armed forces during an emergency
percent of total labor force: 0.92 %

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 9,000 active-duty military personnel (2025)

Military deployments

140 Kosovo (KFOR/NATO) (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the Latvian military's inventory consists of European and US armaments (2025)

Military expenditures

3 % of GDP
current USD: $1,425,694,079
Military Expenditures 2021: 2.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 2.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023: 3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024: 3.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures 2025: 3.7% of GDP (2025 est.)
percent of central government expenditure: 7.49 %
percent of GDP: 3.26 % of GDP

Military service age and obligation

mandatory military service for all men 18-24; men and women 18-27 may volunteer for military service; service length 11 months in the Armed Forces or National Guard, or 5 years in the National Guard as a whole, with a minimum of 21 days of individual training and a maximum of 7 days of collective training each year (2026)
note: note 1: conscription was reintroduced in 2024 note 2: as of 2024, women comprised about 16.5% of the military's full-time personnel

Military strength ranking

PowerIndex score: 2.2316

Transnational Issues

Refugees and internally displaced persons

Refugees: 49,483 (2024 est.)
Stateless persons: 173,891 (2024 est.)

Environment

Carbon dioxide emissions

From coal and metallurgical coke: 41,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
From consumed natural gas: 1.526 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 4.861 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Total emissions: 6.427 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Environmental issues

some soil, water, and air pollution 

International environmental agreements

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

Particulate matter emissions

15.6 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Protected areas

18 % of total land area

Renewable electricity output

17 % of total

Total renewable water resources

34.94 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal

1 % of internal resources
Agricultural: 50.098 million cubic meters (2022)
Industrial: 30.291 million cubic meters (2022)
Municipal: 91.945 million cubic meters (2022)

Waste and recycling

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 839,700 tons (2024 est.)
Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 31.3% (2022 est.)