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.

land

62,249 sq km

total

64,589 sq km

water

2,340 sq km

slightly larger than West Virginia

maritime; wet, moderate winters

498 km

highest point

Gaizina Kalns 312 m

lowest point

Baltic Sea 0 m

mean elevation

87 m

57 00 N, 25 00 E

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

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

border countries

Belarus 161 km; Estonia 333 km; Lithuania 544 km; Russia 332 km

total

1,370 km

agricultural land

29.2% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 18.6% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 10.5% (2018 est.)

forest

54.1% (2018 est.)

other

16.7% (2018 est.)

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

Europe

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

large percentage of agricultural fields can become waterlogged and require drainage

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

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

low plain

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)

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.)

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

21.1% (2020/21) NA

NA

7.5% of GDP (2020)

49.1% (2023 est.)

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

elderly dependency ratio

34.4

potential support ratio

2.9 (2021 est.)

total dependency ratio

59.3

youth dependency ratio

24.9

improved: rural

rural: 98.6% of population

improved: total

total: 99.5% of population

improved: urban

urban: 99.9% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 1.4% of population

unimproved: total

total: 0.5% of population (2020 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0.1% of population

6% of GDP (2020 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.)

0.76 (2024 est.)

5.5 beds/1,000 population (2018)

female

4.3 deaths/1,000 live births

male

5.1 deaths/1,000 live births

total

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

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

female

81 years

male

72 years

total population

76.4 years (2024 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99.9% (2021)

male

99.9%

total population

99.9%

621,000 RIGA (capital) (2023)

18 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

female

49.2 years

male

41.6 years

total

45.5 years (2024 est.)

27.3 years (2020 est.)

adjective

Latvian

noun

Latvian(s)

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

23.6% (2016)

3.4 physicians/1,000 population (2020)

female

964,264 (2024 est.)

male

836,982

total

1,801,246

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

-1.14% (2024 est.)

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

improved: rural

rural: 85.3% of population

improved: total

total: 94.6% of population

improved: urban

urban: 98.9% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 14.7% of population

unimproved: total

total: 5.4% of population (2020 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 1.1% of population

female

17 years (2020)

male

16 years

total

16 years

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.)

female

23.7% (2020 est.)

male

50.3% (2020 est.)

total

37% (2020 est.)

1.55 children born/woman (2024 est.)

rate of urbanization

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

urban population

68.7% of total population (2023)

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

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

geographic coordinates

56 57 N, 24 06 E

name

Riga

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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

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

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

conventional long form

Republic of Latvia

conventional short form

Latvia

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.)

former

Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic (while occupied by the USSR)

local long form

Latvijas Republika

local short form

Latvija

chief of mission

Ambassador Christopher ROBINSON (since 21 February 2023)

email address and website

askconsular-riga@state.govhttps://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

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.lvhttps://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/usa

FAX

[1] (202) 328-2860

telephone

[1] (202) 328-2840

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 53-392019: 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

elections/appointments

president indirectly elected by Parliament for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 31 May 2023 (next to be held in 2027); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by Parliament

head of government

Prime Minister Evika SILINA (since 15 September 2023)

note

note: on 15 September 2023, Parliament voted 53-39 to approve Prime Minister Evika SILINA

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

parliamentary republic

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

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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

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

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)

election results

percent of vote by party - JV 19.2%, ZZS 12.6%, AS 11.1%, NA 9.4%, S! 6.9%, LPV 6.3%, PRO 6.2%; seats by party - JV 26, ZZS 16, AS 15, NA 13, S! 11, LPV 9, PRO 10; composition- men 68, women 32, percentage women 32%

elections

last held on 1 October 2022 (next to be held no later than 3 October 2026)

lyrics/music

Karlis BAUMANIS

name

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

note

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

selected World Heritage Site locales

Historic Center of Riga; Struve Geodetic Arc; Old town of Kuldīga

total World Heritage Sites

3 (all cultural)

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

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

Development/For! or AP!For Stability or S!For Latvia's Development LAHarmony or SHonor to Serve Riga! or GKRLatvia First LPVLatvian Green Party or LZPNational Alliance or NANew Unity or JVPeople, Land, Statehood TZVSocial Democratic Party "Harmony" or SThe Progressives or PROUnion of Greens and Farmers or ZZSUnited List or ASWe for Talsi and Municipality or MTuN

18 years of age; universal

wheat, milk, rapeseed, barley, oats, potatoes, rye, beans, peas, pork (2022)

note

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

on alcohol and tobacco

7.4% of household expenditures (2022 est.)

on food

19.1% of household expenditures (2022 est.)

expenditures

$13.672 billion (2022 est.)

note

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

revenues

$12.075 billion (2022 est.)

Fitch rating

A- (2014)

Moody's rating

A3 (2015)

note

note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

Standard & Poors rating

A+ (2020)

Current account balance 2021

-$1.579 billion (2021 est.)

Current account balance 2022

-$1.937 billion (2022 est.)

Current account balance 2023

-$1.752 billion (2023 est.)

note

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

high-income EU and eurozone member; economic contraction triggered by export decline and energy shocks; recovery driven by easing inflation, wage growth, and investments supported by EU funds; challenges from skilled labor shortages, capital market access, large informal sector, and green and digital transitions 

Currency

euros (EUR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2019

0.893 (2019 est.)

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.)

Exports 2021

$25.43 billion (2021 est.)

Exports 2022

$29.374 billion (2022 est.)

Exports 2023

$27.947 billion (2023 est.)

note

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

wood, wheat, natural gas, electricity, broadcasting equipment (2022)

note

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Lithuania 18%, Estonia 10%, Germany 6%, Russia 6%, Sweden 5% (2022)

note

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

exports of goods and services

64.1% (2023 est.)

government consumption

19.7% (2023 est.)

household consumption

61.1% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services

-67.9% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital

24.1% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories

-1.1% (2023 est.)

note

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

agriculture

4.2% (2023 est.)

industry

20.9% (2023 est.)

note

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

services

63.1% (2023 est.)

$43.627 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2021

34.3 (2021 est.)

note

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

highest 10%

26.2% (2021 est.)

lowest 10%

2.6% (2021 est.)

note

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

Imports 2021

$26.681 billion (2021 est.)

Imports 2022

$31.213 billion (2022 est.)

Imports 2023

$29.626 billion (2023 est.)

note

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

natural gas, refined petroleum, electricity, cars, packaged medicine (2022)

note

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Lithuania 22%, Estonia 10%, Germany 9%, Poland 9%, Russia 6% (2022)

note

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

0.71% (2023 est.)

note

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

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021

3.28% (2021 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

17.31% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

8.94% (2023 est.)

note

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

978,000 (2023 est.)

note

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

22.5% (2022 est.)

note

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

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.)

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021

$69.308 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$71.355 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$71.154 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP growth rate 2021

6.73% (2021 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

2.95% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

-0.28% (2023 est.)

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2021

$36,800 (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

$38,000 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$37,800 (2023 est.)

note

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

Remittances 2021

3.34% of GDP (2021 est.)

Remittances 2022

3.2% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2023

2.82% of GDP (2023 est.)

note

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021

$5.491 billion (2021 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

$4.46 billion (2022 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

$4.957 billion (2023 est.)

22.79% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

note

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

note

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Unemployment rate 2021

7.51% (2021 est.)

Unemployment rate 2022

6.82% (2022 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

6.53% (2023 est.)

female

10.3% (2023 est.)

male

14.2% (2023 est.)

note

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

total

12.5% (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke

42,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from consumed natural gas

1.606 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

4.809 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

total emissions

6.458 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

consumption

20,000 metric tons (2022 est.)

exports

55,000 metric tons (2022 est.)

imports

146,000 metric tons (2022 est.)

consumption

5.982 billion kWh (2022 est.)

exports

2.997 billion kWh (2022 est.)

imports

5.307 billion kWh (2022 est.)

installed generating capacity

3.233 million kW (2022 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

374.152 million kWh (2022 est.)

electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

fossil fuels

27.5% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

hydroelectricity

67.5% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

solar

0.2% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

wind

4.8% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

Total energy consumption per capita 2022

64.272 million Btu/person (2022 est.)

consumption

828.214 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

imports

801.356 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

refined petroleum consumption

35,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

total petroleum production

2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

26 (2020 est.)

total

490,569 (2020 est.)

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

.lv

percent of population

91% (2021 est.)

total

1.729 million (2021 est.)

domestic

fixed-line 9 per 100 and mobile-cellular nearly 117 per 100 subscriptions (2022)

general assessment

the telecom market continues to benefit from investment and from regulatory measures aimed at developing 5G and fiber-based infrastructure; the mobile market is dominated by three operators and there is effective competition between them, with the smallest among them having almost a quarter of the market by subscribers; these multi-service operators have focused investment on fiber networks and on expanding the reach of 5G; mobile network capacity has been improved since 2022 following the auction of spectrum in the 700MHz and 1.5GHz bands; operators have entered into agreements with neighboring Estonia and Lithuania to coordinate the use of spectrum for 5G in border areas, improving coverage to end-users without interference; in the fixed-line broadband sector, the country is ranked among the highest in Europe for fiber coverage; it has the second highest rural FttP coverage after Denmark; with this infrastructure in place, the country has also developed a sophisticated digital economy, with e-commerce and e-government services widely available (2024)

international

country code - 371; the Latvian network is now connected via fiber-optic cable to Estonia, Finland, and Sweden

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

9 (2022 est.)

total subscriptions

174,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

117 (2022 est.)

total subscriptions

2.167 million (2022 est.)

56 (2024)

YL

5 (2024)

by type

container ship 2, general cargo 30, oil tanker 10, other 41

total

83 (2023)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

4.01 million (2018) mt-km

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

4,058,762 (2018)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

53

number of registered air carriers

3 (2020)

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

key ports

Lielupe, Liepaja, Riga, Salacgriva, Ventspils

large

1

medium

2

ports with oil terminals

3

total ports

5 (2024)

very small

2

total

2,216 km (2020) 257 km electrified

total

57,972 km (2022)

300 km (2010) (navigable year-round)

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, including the State Border Service, the State Police, and the State Security Service; the Military Police provides protection to the president and other government officials, foreign dignitaries, and key facilities; for external defense, Latvia’s primary security focus is Russiain 2004, Latvia joined NATO and the EU, which it depends on to play a decisive role in Latvia’s security policy; the Latvian military has participated in NATO and EU missions abroad and regularly conducts training and exercises with NATO and EU partner forcesLatvia 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, Latvia hosts a NATO-led divisional headquarters (Multinational Division North; activated 2020), which coordinates training and preparation activities of its respective subordinate NATO battlegroups in Estonia and Latviathe Air Force has no combat aircraft; NATO has provided air protection for Latvia since 2004 through its Baltics Air Policing mission; NATO member countries that possess air combat capabilities voluntarily contribute to the mission on four-month rotationsLatvia 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 (2024)

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) (2024)

note

note: the National Armed Forces (including the National Guard), the Defense Intelligence and Security Service, and the Constitution Protection Bureau are subordinate to the Ministry of Defense; the State Police, State Border Guards, and State Security Service are under the Ministry of Interior; the State Border Guard may become part of the armed forces during an emergency

approximately 8,000 active military forces; approximately 10,000 National Guard (2024)

135 Kosovo (KFOR/NATO) (2024)

the Latvian military's inventory consists of a mix of European and US weapons and equipment (2024)

Military Expenditures 2020

2.2% of GDP (2020)

Military Expenditures 2021

2.1% of GDP (2021)

Military Expenditures 2022

2.1% of GDP (2022)

Military Expenditures 2023

2.4% of GDP (2023)

Military Expenditures 2024

3.2% of GDP (2024 est.)

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

note 1: conscription was reintroduced in 2024note 2: as of 2024, women comprised about 16.5% of the military's full-time personnel

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 (country of origin)

47,615 (Ukraine) (as of 6 March 2024)

stateless persons

195,354 (2022); 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

carbon dioxide emissions

7 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions

1.85 megatons (2020 est.)

particulate matter emissions

12.02 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

maritime; wet, moderate winters

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

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

agricultural land

29.2% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 18.6% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 10.5% (2018 est.)

forest

54.1% (2018 est.)

other

16.7% (2018 est.)

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

0.85% of GDP (2018 est.)

34.94 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural

60 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial

40 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

municipal

90 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

rate of urbanization

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

urban population

68.7% of total population (2023)

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.)