2015 Edition

Background

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.). 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 28% 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.

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

Elevation extremes

highest point

Gaizina Kalns 312 m

lowest point

Baltic Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

party to

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

per capita

177.9 cu m/yr (2007)

total

0.42 cu km/yr (42%/45%/13%)

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

8.3 sq km

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 (2007)

Land boundaries

border countries (4)

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

total

1,370 km

Land use

arable land 18.6%; permanent crops 0.1%; permanent pasture 10.5%

agricultural land

29.2%

forest

54.1%

other

16.7% (2011 est.)

Location

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

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

NA

Natural resources

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

Terrain

low plain

Total renewable water resources

35.45 cu km (2011)

Age structure

0-14 years

14.86% (male 151,296/female 143,968)

15-24 years

10.47% (male 107,301/female 100,779)

25-54 years

42.25% (male 414,648/female 424,745)

55-64 years

13.44% (male 117,851/female 149,063)

65 years and over

18.98% (male 122,507/female 254,547) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

10 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Death rate

14.31 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

29.5%

potential support ratio

3.4% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

52.2%

youth dependency ratio

22.7%

Drinking water source

urban: 99.8% of population

rural: 98.3% of population

total: 99.3% of population

urban: 0.2% of population

rural: 1.7% of population

total: 0.7% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

4.9% of GDP (2011)

Ethnic groups

Latvian 61.1%, Russian 26.2%, Belarusian 3.5%, Ukrainian 2.3%, Polish 2.2%, Lithuanian 1.3%, other 3.4% (2013 est.)

Health expenditures

5.7% of GDP (2013)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

5.9 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

female

4.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)

male

5.76 deaths/1,000 live births

total

5.36 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Latvian (official) 56.3%, Russian 33.8%, other 0.6% (includes Polish, Ukrainian, and Belarusian), unspecified 9.4%

note

percentages represent lanugage usually spoken at home (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

female

79.07 years (2015 est.)

male

69.62 years

total population

74.23 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99.9% (2015 est.)

male

99.9%

total population

99.9%

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

intermediate

vectorborne diseases

tickborne encephalitis (2013)

Major urban areas - population

RIGA (capital) 621,000 (2015)

Median age

female

46.3 years (2015 est.)

male

39.2 years

total

42.9 years

Nationality

adjective

Latvian

noun

Latvian(s)

Net migration rate

-6.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

25.6% (2014)

Physicians density

3.58 physicians/1,000 population (2012)

Population

1,986,705 (July 2015 est.)

Population growth rate

-1.06% (2015 est.)

Religions

Lutheran 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, other Christian 1%, other 0.4%, unspecified 63.7% (2006)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 90.8% of population

rural: 81.5% of population

total: 87.8% of population

urban: 9.2% of population

rural: 18.5% of population

total: 12.2% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

16 years (2012)

male

15 years

total

15 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.07 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.98 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.79 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.48 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.85 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.5 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

29.3% (2012 est.)

male

27.6%

total

28.4%

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

-0.67% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

67.4% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

110 municipalities (novadi, singular - novads) and 9 cities

cities

Daugavpils, Jekabpils, Jelgava, Jurmala, Liepaja, Rezekne, Riga, Valmiera, Ventspils

municipalities

Adazu Novads, Aglonas Novads, Aizkraukles Novads, Aizputes Novads, Aknistes Novads, Alojas Novads, Alsungas Novads, Aluksnes Novads, Amatas Novads, Apes Novads, Auces Novads, Babites Novads, Baldones Novads, Baltinavas Novads, Balvu Novads, Bauskas Novads, Beverinas Novads, Brocenu Novads, Burtnieku Novads, Carnikavas Novads, Cesu Novads, Cesvaines Novads, Ciblas Novads, Dagdas Novads, Daugavpils Novads, Dobeles Novads, Dundagas Novads, Durbes Novads, Engures Novads, Erglu Novads, Garkalnes Novads, Grobinas Novads, Gulbenes Novads, Iecavas Novads, Ikskiles Novads, Ilukstes Novads, Incukalna Novads, Jaunjelgavas Novads, Jaunpiebalgas Novads, Jaunpils Novads, Jekabpils Novads, Jelgavas Novads, Kandavas Novads, Karsavas Novads, Keguma Novads, Kekavas Novads, Kocenu Novads, Kokneses Novads, Kraslavas Novads, Krimuldas Novads, Krustpils Novads, Kuldigas Novads, Lielvardes Novads, Ligatnes Novads, Limbazu Novads, Livanu Novads, Lubanas Novads, Ludzas Novads, Madonas Novads, Malpils Novads, Marupes Novads, Mazsalacas Novads, Mersraga Novads, Nauksenu Novads, Neretas Novads, Nicas Novads, Ogres Novads, Olaines Novads, Ozolnieku Novads, Pargaujas Novads, Pavilostas Novads, Plavinu Novads, Preilu Novads, Priekules Novads, Priekulu Novads, Raunas Novads, Rezeknes Novads, Riebinu Novads, Rojas Novads, Ropazu Novads, Rucavas Novads, Rugaju Novads, Rujienas Novads, Rundales Novads, Salacgrivas Novads, Salas Novads, Salaspils Novads, Saldus Novads, Saulkrastu Novads, Sejas Novads, Siguldas Novads, Skriveru Novads, Skrundas Novads, Smiltenes Novads, Stopinu Novads, Strencu Novads, Talsu Novads, Tervetes Novads, Tukuma Novads, Vainodes Novads, Valkas Novads, Varaklanu Novads, Varkavas Novads, Vecpiebalgas Novads, Vecumnieku Novads, Ventspils Novads, Viesites Novads, Vilakas Novads, Vilanu Novads, Zilupes Novads

Capital

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

56 57 N, 24 06 E

name

Riga

time difference

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

Constitution

several previous (preindependence); note - at independence in 1990, parts of the 1922 constitution were reinforced and fully reinforced 6 July 1993; amended several times, last in 2014 (2015)

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Latvia

conventional short form

Latvia

former

Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic

local long form

Latvijas Republika

local short form

Latvija

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge D'Affaires Sharon HUDSON-DEAN (since 2015)

embassy

1 Samnera Velsa St, Riga LV-1510

FAX

[371] 6710-7050

mailing address

Embassy of the United States of America, 1 Samnera Velsa St, Riga, LV-1510, Latvia

telephone

[371] 6710-7000

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2306 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Andris RAZANS (since 27 July 2012)

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 Raimonds VEJONIS (since 8 July 2015)

election results

Andris BERZINS (ZZS) elected president; Parliament vote - Raimonds VEJONIS 55 of 100

elections/appointments

president indirectly elected by Parliament for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 3 June 2015 (next to be held in 2019); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by Parliament

head of government

Prime Minister Laimdota STRAUJUMA (since 22 January 2014)

Flag description

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

parliamentary democracy

Independence

4 May 1990 (declared); 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, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of the Senate with 27 judges and Supreme Court of Chambers with 22 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

description

unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - SC 23%, Unity 21.9%, ZZS 19.5%, National Alliance 16.6%, NSL 6.8%, LRA 6.7%, other 5.5%; seats by party - SC 24, Unity 23, ZZS 21, National Alliance 17, LRA 8, NSL 7

elections

last held on 4 October 2014 (next to be held in October 2018)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Karlis BAUMANIS

name

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

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

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

National symbol(s)

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

Political parties and leaders

Alliance of Regions or LRA [Martins BONDARS, Dainis LIEPINS]

For Latvia from the Heart or NSL [Inguna SUDRABA]

Social Democratic Party "Harmony" or SC [Janis URBANOVICS, Nils USAKOVS]

National Alliance "All For Latvia!"-"For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK" or NA [Gaidis BERZINS, Raivis DZINTARS]

Union of Greens and Farmers or ZZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS, Raimonds VEJONIS]

Unity [Solvita ABOLTINA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Employers' Confederation of Latvia [Vitalijs GAVRILOVS]

Farmers' Parliament [Juris LAZDINS]

Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia [Peteris KRIGERS]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

expenditures

$11.97 billion (2014 est.)

revenues

$11.96 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0% of GDP (2014 est.)

Central bank discount rate

3.5% (31 December 2011)

3.5% (31 December 2010)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

6% (31 December 2014 est.)

5.92% (31 December 2013 est.)

Current account balance

-$996 million (2014 est.)

-$249.6 million (2013 est.)

Debt - external

$38.54 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$38.28 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

35.2 (2010)

32 (1999)

Economy - overview

Latvia is a small, open economy with exports contributing nearly a third 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 softening world economy. Triggered by the collapse of the second largest bank, GDP plunged 18% in 2009. The economy has not returned to pre-crisis levels despite strong growth, especially in the export sector in 2011-14. 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. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises, including 99.8% ownership of the Latvian national airline. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999 and the EU in May 2004. Latvia joined the euro zone in 2014.

Exchange rates

lati (LVL) per US dollar -

0.7489 (2014 est.)

0.7634 (2013 est.)

0.55 (2012 est.)

0.5012 (2011 est.)

0.5305 (2010 est.)

Exports

$13.38 billion (2014 est.)

$13.06 billion (2013 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Lithuania 17.7%, Russia 14.7%, Estonia 11.2%, Germany 6.6%, Poland 6.2%, Sweden 5.1%, UK 4.7% (2014)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

(2014 est.)

exports of goods and services

58.9%

government consumption

16.2%

household consumption

61.1%

imports of goods and services

-58.7%

investment in fixed capital

20.9%

investment in inventories

1.6%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

4.8%

industry

24.8%

services

70.4% (2014 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$23,700 (2014 est.)

$23,200 (2013 est.)

$22,200 (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.4% (2014 est.)

4.2% (2013 est.)

4.8% (2012 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$31.97 billion (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$48.19 billion (2014 est.)

$47.07 billion (2013 est.)

$45.16 billion (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

Gross national saving

20.8% of GDP (2014 est.)

21.1% of GDP (2013 est.)

22.7% of GDP (2012 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

27.6% (2008)

lowest 10%

2.7%

Imports

$16.56 billion (2014 est.)

$15.98 billion (2013 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Lithuania 17%, Germany 11.7%, Poland 10.9%, Russia 7.7%, Estonia 7.7%, Finland 5.8%, Italy 4.1% (2014)

Industrial production growth rate

1.5% (2014 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.7% (2014 est.)

0% (2013 est.)

Labor force

1.014 million (2014 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

8.8%

industry

24%

services

67.2% (2010 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.115 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

$1.076 billion (31 December 2011)

$1.252 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

36.5% of GDP (2014 est.)

38.1% of GDP (2013 est.)

note

data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities, including sub-sectors of central government, state government, local government, and social security funds

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$7.507 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$7.893 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of broad money

$12.88 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$13.41 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$2.731 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$2.431 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$17.92 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$16.62 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$15.98 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$18 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$10.15 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$10.24 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

36.4% of GDP (2014 est.)

Unemployment rate

10.8% (2014 est.)

9.9% (2013 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

7.897 million Mt (2012 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

1,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)

Electricity - consumption

6.52 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - exports

3.65 billion kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

26.5% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

70.8% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

2.7% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - imports

5.005 billion kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

2.226 million kW (2011 est.)

Electricity - production

5.891 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

1.48 billion cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - imports

1.48 billion cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

33,670 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

6,146 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

35,930 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 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 throughout the country; dozens of private broadcasters also operate radio stations (2007)

Internet country code

.lv

Internet users

percent of population

76.5% (2014 est.)

total

1.5 million

Radio broadcast stations

AM 8, FM 62, shortwave 1 (2008)

Telephone system

domestic

number of telecommunications operators has grown rapidly since the fixed-line market opened to competition in 2003; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership roughly 150 per 100 persons

general assessment

recent efforts focused on bringing competition to the telecommunications sector; the number of fixed lines is decreasing as mobile-cellular telephone service expands

international

country code - 371; the Latvian network is now connected via fiber optic cable to Estonia, Finland, and Sweden (2008)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

19 (2014 est.)

total subscriptions

390,000

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

126 (2014 est.)

total

2.5 million

Television broadcast stations

37 (plus 31 repeaters) (2008)

Airports

42 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

4

2,438 to 3,047 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

3

over 3,047 m

1

total

18

under 914 m

7 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

24 (2013)

total

24

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

by type

cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned

3 (Estonia 3)

registered in other countries

79 (Antigua and Barbuda 16, Belize 9, Comoros 2, Dominica 2, Georgia 1, Liberia 5, Malta 8, Marshall Islands 19, Russia 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15) (2010)

total

11

Pipelines

gas 928 km; refined products 415 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

Riga, Ventspils

Railways

broad gauge

2,206 km 1.520-m gauge

narrow gauge

33 km 0.750-m gauge (2008)

total

2,239 km

Roadways

paved

14,707 km

total

72,440 km

unpaved

57,733 km (2013)

Waterways

300 km (navigable year round) (2010)

Manpower available for military service

females age 16-49

540,810 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

546,090

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

447,638 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

401,691

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

9,858 (2010 est.)

male

10,482

Military branches

National Armed Forces (Nacionalo Brunoto Speku): Land Forces (Latvijas Sauszemes Speki), Navy (Latvijas Juras Speki; includes Coast Guard (Latvijas Kara Flotes)), Latvian Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa Speki), Latvian Home Guard (Latvijas Zemessardze) (2011)

Military expenditures

0.91% of GDP (2014)

0.99% of GDP (2013)

0.92% of GDP (2012)

1.05% of GDP (2011)

0.92% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; no conscription; under current law, every citizen is entitled to serve in the armed forces for life (2012)

Disputes - international

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

transshipment and destination point for cocaine, synthetic drugs, opiates, and cannabis from Southwest Asia, Western Europe, Latin America, and neighboring Balkan 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

stateless persons

262,802 (2014); 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