2018 Edition

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 it was annexed by the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. Latvia reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 26% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia acceded to both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004; it joined the euro zone in 2014 and the OECD in 2016. A dual citizenship law was adopted in 2013, easing naturalization for non-citizen children.

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

elevation extremes

0 m lowest point: Baltic Sea

mean elevation

87 m

note

312 highest point: Gaizina Kalns

Environment Current Issues

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

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

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

12 sq km (2012)

note

land in Latvia is often too wet and in need of drainage not irrigation; approximately 16,000 sq km or 85% of agricultural land has been improved by drainage

Land Boundaries

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% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 0.1% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 10.5% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

29.2% (2011 est.)

forest

54.1% (2011 est.)

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

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

Terrain

low plain

Age Structure

0-14 years

15.24% (male 150,514 /female 142,580)

15-24 years

9.16% (male 90,980 /female 85,302)

25-54 years

41.36% (male 396,677 /female 398,972)

55-64 years

14.38% (male 123,611 /female 153,007)

65 years and over

19.85% (male 125,709 /female 256,207) (2018 est.)

Birth Rate

9.6 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Death Rate

14.5 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Dependency Ratios

elderly dependency ratio

29.4 (2015 est.)

potential support ratio

3.4 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

52.5 (2015 est.)

youth dependency ratio

23.1 (2015 est.)

Drinking Water Source

improved: urban: 99.8% of population

rural: 98.3% of population

total: 99.3% of population

unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population

rural: 1.7% of population

total: 0.7% of population (2015 est.)

Education Expenditures

5.3% of GDP (2014)

Ethnic Groups

Latvian 62%, Russian 25.4%, Belarusian 3.3%, Ukrainian 2.2%, Polish 2.1%, Lithuanian 1.2%, other 3.8% (2017 est.)

Health Expenditures

5.9% of GDP (2014)

Hiv Aids Adult Prevalence Rate

0.7% (2016 est.)

Hiv Aids Deaths

<500 (2016 est.)

Hiv Aids People Living With Hiv Aids

6,600 (2016 est.)

Hospital Bed Density

5.8 beds/1,000 population (2013)

Infant Mortality Rate

female

4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

male

5.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

total

5.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages

Latvian (official) 56.3%, Russian 33.8%, other 0.6% (includes Polish, Ukrainian, and Belarusian), unspecified 9.4% (2011 est.)

note

data represent language usually spoken at home

Life Expectancy At Birth

female

79.7 years (2018 est.)

male

70.4 years (2018 est.)

total population

74.9 years (2018 est.)

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write (2015 est.)

female

99.9% (2015 est.)

male

99.9% (2015 est.)

total population

99.9% (2015 est.)

Major Infectious Diseases

degree of risk

intermediate (2016)

vectorborne diseases

tickborne encephalitis (2016)

Major Urban Areas Population

637,000 RIGA (capital) (2018)

Maternal Mortality Rate

18 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median Age

female

47.3 years (2018 est.)

male

40 years

total

43.9 years

Mother S Mean Age At First Birth

27.2 years (2014 est.)

Nationality

adjective

Latvian

noun

Latvian(s)

Net Migration Rate

-6.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate

23.6% (2016)

Physicians Density

3.21 physicians/1,000 population (2015)

Population

1,923,559 (July 2018 est.)

Population Growth Rate

-1.1% (2018 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation Facility Access

improved: urban: 90.8% of population (2015 est.)

rural: 81.5% of population (2015 est.)

total: 87.8% of population (2015 est.)

unimproved: urban: 9.2% of population (2015 est.)

rural: 18.5% of population (2015 est.)

total: 12.2% of population (2015 est.)

School Life Expectancy Primary To Tertiary Education

female

17 years (2014)

male

16 years (2014)

total

16 years (2014)

Sex Ratio

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

15-24 years

1.07 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

25-54 years

0.98 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

55-64 years

0.79 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

65 years and over

0.48 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

total population

0.85 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

1.52 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Unemployment Youth Ages 15 24

female

12.1% (2016 est.)

male

21.4% (2016 est.)

total

17.3% (2016 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

-0.93% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

68.1% of total population (2018)

Administrative Divisions

110 municipalities (novadi, singular - novads) and 9 citiesmunicipalities: 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; cities: Daugavpils, Jekabpils, Jelgava, Jurmala, Liepaja, Rezekne, Riga, Valmiera, Ventspils

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)

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

Constitution

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 2014 (2016)

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 (2016)

Country Name

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

local long form

Latvijas Republika

local short form

Latvija

Diplomatic Representation From The Us

chief of mission

Ambassador Nancy Bikoff PETTIT (since 8 September 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 TEIKMANIS (since 16 September 2016)

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

Raimonds VEJONIS 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 Maris KUCINSKIS (since 11 February 2016); Deputy Prime Minister Arvils ASERADENS (since 11 February 2016)

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 republic

Independence

4 May 1990 (declared independence 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, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial Branch

highest courts

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 party list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - SDPS 19.8%, KPV LV 14.3%, JKP 13.6%, AP! 12%, NA 11%, ZZS 9.9%, V 6.7%, other 12.7%; seats by party - SDPS 23, KPV LV 16, JKP 16, AP! 13, NA 13, ZZS 11, V 8; composition - men 69, women 31, percent of women 31%

elections

last held on 6 October 2018 (next to be held in October 2022)

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

National Symbol S

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

Political Parties And Leaders

Development/For! or AP! [Daniels PAVLUTS, Juris PUCE]National Alliance "All For Latvia!"-"For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK" or NA [Raivis DZINTARS] New Conservative Party or JKP [Janis BORDANS]Social Democratic Party "Harmony" or SDPS [Nils USAKOVS] Union of Greens and Farmers or ZZS [Armands KRAUZE] Unity or V [Arvils ASERADENS]Who Owns the State? or KPV LV [Artuss KAIMINS]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture Products

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

Budget

expenditures

11.53 billion (2017 est.)

revenues

11.39 billion (2017 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

-0.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Central Bank Discount Rate

0% (31 December 2017 est.)

0.05% (31 December 2015 est.)

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

2.58% (31 December 2017 est.)

2.61% (31 December 2016 est.)

Current Account Balance

-$231 million (2017 est.)

$378 million (2016 est.)

Debt External

$40.02 billion (31 March 2016 est.)

$38.19 billion (31 March 2015 est.)

Distribution Of Family Income Gini Index

34.5 (2015)

35.4 (2014)

Economy Overview

Latvia is a small, open economy with exports contributing more than half of GDP. Due to its geographical location, transit services are highly-developed, along with timber and wood-processing, agriculture and food products, and manufacturing of machinery and electronics industries. Corruption continues to be an impediment to attracting foreign direct investment and Latvia's low birth rate and decreasing population are major challenges to its long-term economic vitality.Latvia's economy experienced GDP growth of more than 10% per year during 2006-07, but entered a severe recession in 2008 as a result of an unsustainable current account deficit and large debt exposure amid the slowing world economy. Triggered by the collapse of the second largest bank, GDP plunged by more than 14% in 2009 and, despite strong growth since 2011, the economy took until 2017 return to pre-crisis levels in real terms. Strong investment and consumption, the latter stoked by rising wages, helped the economy grow by more than 4% in 2017, while inflation rose to 3%. Continued gains in competitiveness and investment will be key to maintaining economic growth, especially in light of unfavorable demographic trends, including the emigration of skilled workers, and one of the highest levels of income inequality in the EU.In the wake of the 2008-09 crisis, the IMF, EU, and other international donors provided substantial financial assistance to Latvia as part of an agreement to defend the currency's peg to the euro in exchange for the government's commitment to stringent austerity measures. The IMF/EU program successfully concluded in December 2011, although, the austerity measures imposed large social costs. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises, including 80% ownership of the Latvian national airline. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999 and the EU in May 2004. Latvia also joined the euro zone in 2014 and the OECD in 2016.

Exchange Rates

lati (LVL) per US dollar -

0.906 (2017 est.)

0.9037 (2016 est.)

0.9037 (2015 est.)

0.9012 (2014 est.)

0.7525 (2013 est.)

Exports

$12.84 billion (2017 est.)

$11.35 billion (2016 est.)

Exports Commodities

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

Exports Partners

Lithuania 15.8%, Russia 14%, Estonia 10.9%, Germany 6.9%, Sweden 5.7%, UK 4.9%, Poland 4.3%, Denmark 4.1% (2017)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

Gdp Composition By End Use

exports of goods and services

60.6% (2017 est.)

government consumption

18.2% (2017 est.)

household consumption

61.8% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services

-61.9% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital

19.9% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories

1.5% (2017 est.)

Gdp Composition By Sector Of Origin

agriculture

3.9% (2017 est.)

industry

22.4% (2017 est.)

services

73.7% (2017 est.)

Gdp Official Exchange Rate

$30.33 billion (2017 est.) (2017 est.)

Gdp Per Capita Ppp

$27,700 (2017 est.)

$26,200 (2016 est.)

$25,500 (2015 est.)

note

data are in 2017 dollars

Gdp Purchasing Power Parity

$54.02 billion (2017 est.)

$51.67 billion (2016 est.)

$50.55 billion (2015 est.)

note

data are in 2017 dollars

Gdp Real Growth Rate

4.5% (2017 est.)

2.2% (2016 est.)

3% (2015 est.)

Gross National Saving

20.7% of GDP (2017 est.)

21% of GDP (2016 est.)

21.8% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household Income Or Consumption By Percentage Share

highest 10%

26.3% (2015)

lowest 10%

26.3% (2015)

Imports

$15.79 billion (2017 est.)

$13.61 billion (2016 est.)

Imports Commodities

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

Imports Partners

Lithuania 17.6%, Germany 11.7%, Poland 8.7%, Estonia 7.6%, Russia 7.1%, Netherlands 4.2%, Finland 4.2%, Italy 4% (2017)

Industrial Production Growth Rate

10.6% (2017 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

2.9% (2017 est.)

0.1% (2016 est.)

Labor Force

990,000 (2017 est.)

Labor Force By Occupation

agriculture

7.7%

industry

24.1%

services

68.1% (2016 est.)

Market Value Of Publicly Traded Shares

$6.76 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$6.799 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$7.127 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Population Below Poverty Line

25.5% (2015)

Public Debt

36.3% of GDP (2017 est.)

37.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

note

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

Reserves Of Foreign Exchange And Gold

$4.614 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$3.514 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Broad Money

$12.91 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$10.71 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad

$3.402 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$2.485 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment At Home

$18.84 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$15.36 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Domestic Credit

$17.27 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$15.11 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Narrow Money

$12.91 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$10.71 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Taxes And Other Revenues

37.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment Rate

8.7% (2017 est.)

9.6% (2016 est.)

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Consumption Of Energy

8.632 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Exports

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Imports

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Production

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Proved Reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity Access

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Electricity Consumption

6.798 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Exports

3.795 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity From Fossil Fuels

39% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity From Hydroelectric Plants

53% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Nuclear Fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Other Renewable Sources

8% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity Imports

4.828 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Installed Generating Capacity

2.932 million kW (2016 est.)

Electricity Production

6.241 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Natural Gas Consumption

1.218 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Imports

1.246 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Production

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Proved Reserves

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Consumption

44,600 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Exports

16,180 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Imports

54,370 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Production

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

27 (2017 est.)

total

525,679 (2017 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

79.9% (July 2016 est.)

total

1,570,374 (July 2016 est.)

Telephone System

domestic

fixed-line 18 per 100 and mobile-cellular 127 per 100 subscriptions (2017)

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; EU regulatory policies, and framework provide guidelines for growth; govt. adopted measures to build a national fibre broadband network, part-funded by European Commission; commercial 5G services in 2019  (2017)

international

country code - 371; the Latvian network is now connected via fiber-optic cable to Estonia, Finland, and Sweden (2016)

Telephones Fixed Lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

18 (2017 est.)

total subscriptions

342,097 (2017 est.)

Telephones Mobile Cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

127 (2017 est.)

total subscriptions

2,464,122 (2017 est.)

Airports

42 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

4 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m

3 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m

3 (2017)

over 3,047 m

1 (2017)

total

18 (2017)

under 914 m

7 (2017)

Airports With Unpaved Runways

total

24 (2013)

under 914 m

24 (2013)

Civil Aircraft Registration Country Code Prefix

YL (2016)

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant Marine

by type

general cargo 15, oil tanker 8, other 42 (2017)

total

65 (2017)

National Air Transport System

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

2,277,996 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

2,527,368 (2015)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

47 (2015)

number of registered air carriers

3 (2015)

Pipelines

928 km gas, 415 km refined products (2013)

Ports And Terminals

major seaport(s)

Riga, Ventspils

Railways

broad gauge

2,206 km 1.520-m gauge (2008)

narrow gauge

33 km 0.750-m gauge (2008)

total

2,239 km (2008)

Roadways

paved

14,959 km (2016)

total

70,192 km (2016)

unpaved

55,233 km (2016)

Waterways

300 km (navigable year-round) (2010)

Military Branches

National Armed Forces (Nacionalie Brunotie Speki): Land Forces (Latvijas Sauszemes Speki), Navy (Latvijas Juras Speki, includes Coast Guard (Latvijas Kara Flote)), Latvian Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa Speki), Latvian Home Guard (Latvijas Zemessardze) (2017)

Military Expenditures

1.7% of GDP (2017)

1.47% of GDP (2016)

1.05% of GDP (2015)

0.94% of GDP (2014)

0.94% of GDP (2013)

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 (2016)

Disputes International

Russia demands better Latvian treatment of ethnic Russians in Latviaboundary demarcated with Latvia and Lithuaniathe Latvian parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rightsas 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 Baltic countries; despite improved legislation, vulnerable to money laundering due to nascent enforcement capabilities and comparatively weak regulation of offshore companies and the gaming industry; CIS organized crime (including counterfeiting, corruption, extortion, stolen cars, and prostitution) accounts for most laundered proceeds

Refugees And Internally Displaced Persons

stateless persons

233,571 (2017); 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