Latvia

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.

57 00 N, 25 00 E

large percentage of agricultural fields can become waterlogged and require drainage

slightly larger than West Virginia

some soil, water, and air pollution 

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

maritime; wet, moderate winters

498 km

Total: 1,370 km

Border countries (4): Belarus 161 km; Estonia 333 km; Lithuania 544 km; Russia 332 km

Agricultural land: 31.7% (2023 est.)

Arable land: 21.9% (2023 est.)

Permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.)

Permanent pasture: 9.7% (2023 est.)

Forest: 55.5% (2023 est.)

Other: 12.8% (2023 est.)

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

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

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

low plain

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

Europe

6 sq km (2016)

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

34.94 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

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

Highest point: Gaizina Kalns 312 m

Lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m

Mean elevation: 87 m

Total : 64,589 sq km

Land: 62,249 sq km

Water: 2,340 sq km

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)

At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

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

Total population: 0.87 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Noun: Latvian(s)

Adjective: Latvian

Total: 16 years (2023 est.)

Male: 15 years (2023 est.)

Female: 17 years (2023 est.)

Urban population: 68.7% of total population (2023)

Rate of urbanization: -0.68% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Improved:

Urban: 98.9% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 98.9% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 98.9% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 1.1% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 1.1% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 1.1% of population (2022 est.)

621,000 RIGA (capital) (2023)

3.4 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

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

27.3 years (2020 est.)

Total dependency ratio: 55.6 (2024 est.)

Youth dependency ratio: 23.5 (2024 est.)

Elderly dependency ratio: 32.1 (2024 est.)

Potential support ratio: 3.1 (2024 est.)

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.)

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

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: data represent language usually spoken at home

9% of GDP (2021)

12.1% of national budget (2022 est.)

0.76 (2024 est.)

49.6% (2021 est.)

Total: 12.5% (2024 est.)

Male: 13% (2024 est.)

Female: 11.9% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

-4.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 45.5 years (2024 est.)

Male: 41.6 years

Female: 49.2 years

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

1.55 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Total: 1,801,246 (2024 est.)

Male: 836,982

Female: 964,264

Total: 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

Male: 5.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Female: 4.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Total: 28.8% (2025 est.)

Male: 43.5% (2025 est.)

Female: 16.4% (2025 est.)

23.6% (2016)

14.7 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

8.3 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

0.3% (2021 est.)

Total: 12.9 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Beer: 4.9 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Wine: 1.7 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Spirits: 5.3 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Other alcohols: 1 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Total population: 76.4 years (2024 est.)

Male: 72 years

Female: 81 years

4.3% of GDP (2022 est.)

9.9% national budget (2022 est.)

-1.14% (2024 est.)

Municipal: 91.945 million cubic meters (2022)

Industrial: 30.291 million cubic meters (2022)

Agricultural: 50.098 million cubic meters (2022)

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 839,700 tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 31.3% (2022 est.)

15.6 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

6.427 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From coal and metallurgical coke: 41,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From petroleum and other liquids: 4.861 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From consumed natural gas: 1.526 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

65.908 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher ROBINSON (since 21 February 2023)

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/

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

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: 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"

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

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

Chief of state: President Edgars RINKEVICS (since 8 July 2023)

Head of government: Prime Minister Evika SILINA (since 15 September 2023)

Cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, appointed by Parliament

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

Most recent election date: 31 May 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

Expected date of next election: 2027

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

18 November 1918 (from Soviet Russia); 4 May 1990 (declared from the Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)

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

civil law system with traces of socialist legal traditions and practices

Legislature name: Parliament (Saeima)

Legislative structure: Unicameral

Number of seats: 100 (all directly elected)

Electoral system: Proportional representation

Scope of elections: Full renewal

Term in office: 4 years

Most recent election date: 10/1/2022

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%

Expected date of next election: October 2026

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

Independence Day (Republic of Latvia Proclamation Day), 18 November (1918)

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

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

18 years of age; universal

parliamentary republic

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 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.)

Chief of mission: Ambassador Elita KUZMA (since 18 September 2024)

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

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

Lyrics/music: Karlis BAUMANIS

History: Adopted 1920, restored 1990; first performed in 1873 when Latvia was part of Russia; banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

white wagtail (bird)

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

Total World Heritage Sites: 3 (all cultural)

Selected World Heritage Site locales: Historic Center of Riga; Struve Geodetic Arc; Old town of Kuldīga

maroon, white

22.5% (2022 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Lowest 10%: 2.6% (2022 est.)

Highest 10%: 25.8% (2022 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

wood, wheat, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicine, natural gas (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Lithuania 19%, Estonia 6%, Russia 6%, Germany 6%, Sweden 5% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

wheat, milk, rapeseed, barley, oats, potatoes, rye, beans, peas, chicken (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Revenues: $14.58 billion (2023 est.)

Expenditures: $15.432 billion (2023 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

refined petroleum, cars, packaged medicine, broadcasting equipment, natural gas (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

euros (EUR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
0.924 (2024 est.)
0.925 (2023 est.)
0.95 (2022 est.)
0.845 (2021 est.)
0.876 (2020 est.)

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

$43.521 billion (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Household consumption: 62.7% (2023 est.)

Government consumption: 20.2% (2023 est.)

Investment in fixed capital: 24.7% (2023 est.)

Investment in inventories: -0.1% (2023 est.)

Exports of goods and services: 66.5% (2023 est.)

Imports of goods and services: -70.2% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Lithuania 18%, Germany 11%, Poland 10%, Estonia 8%, Finland 5% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

On food: 19.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

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

3.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
2.9% of GDP (2023 est.)
3.4% of GDP (2022 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

954,900 (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

$5.141 billion (2024 est.)
$4.957 billion (2023 est.)
$4.46 billion (2022 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

36.3% of GDP (2017 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

6.8% (2024 est.)
6.5% (2023 est.)
6.9% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

16.7% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

$72.516 billion (2024 est.)
$72.838 billion (2023 est.)
$70.817 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

1.3% (2024 est.)
8.9% (2023 est.)
17.3% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

-$923.266 million (2024 est.)
-$1.663 billion (2023 est.)
-$2.082 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

$38,900 (2024 est.)
$38,800 (2023 est.)
$37,700 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

$29.234 billion (2024 est.)
$29.875 billion (2023 est.)
$31.206 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

$28.117 billion (2024 est.)
$28.294 billion (2023 est.)
$29.364 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

-0.4% (2024 est.)
2.9% (2023 est.)
1.8% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

-4% (2024 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Agriculture: 4.1% (2024 est.)

Industry: 19.9% (2024 est.)

Services: 63.1% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

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

Consumption: 20,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Exports: 12,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Imports: 39,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Fossil fuels: 22.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Solar: 3.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Wind: 4.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Hydroelectricity: 59.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Biomass and waste: 10.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Consumption: 786.523 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Imports: 786.523 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Total petroleum production: 2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Refined petroleum consumption: 33,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)

Installed generating capacity: 3.428 million kW (2023 est.)

Consumption: 6.822 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Exports: 3.271 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Imports: 4.075 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses: 342.238 million kWh (2023 est.)

Percent of population: 92% (2023 est.)

.lv

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

Total subscriptions: 2.26 million (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 117 (2022 est.)

Total: 489,000 (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 26 (2023 est.)

Total subscriptions: 142,000 (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2023 est.)

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

YL

55 (2025)

Total: 83 (2023)

By type: Container ship 2, general cargo 30, oil tanker 10, other 41

5 (2025)

18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; 12 months mandatory military service for men 18-27 years of age (2024)

Note 1: Conscription was reintroduced in 2024

Note 2: As of 2024, women comprised about 16.5% of the military's full-time personnel

3.7% of GDP (2025 est.)
3.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
3% of GDP (2023 est.)
2.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
2.2% of GDP (2021 est.)

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)

Note: The State Border Guard may become part of the armed forces during an emergency

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)

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

140 Kosovo (KFOR/NATO) (2025)

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

Refugees: 49,483 (2024 est.)

Stateless persons: 173,891 (2024 est.)

Total ports: 5 (2024)

Large: 1

Medium: 2

Small: 0

Very small: 2

Ports with oil terminals: 3

Key ports: Lielupe, Liepaja, Riga, Salacgriva, Ventspils

33.7 (2022 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality