2019 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

Highest Point

Gaizina Kalns 312 m

Lowest Point

Baltic Sea 0 m

Mean Elevation

87 m

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)

Land Boundaries

Border Countries

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

Total

1,370 km

Land Use

Agricultural Land

29.2% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Arable Land

18.6% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Crops

0.1% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Pasture

10.5% (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.)

Current Health Expenditure

6.2% (2016)

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 Rural

98.3% of population

Improved Total

99.3% of population

Improved Urban

99.8% of population

Unimproved Rural

1.7% of population

Unimproved Total

0.7% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

0.2% of population

Education Expenditures

5.3% of GDP (2015)

Ethnic Groups

Latvian 62.2%, Russian 25.2%, Belarusian 3.2%, Ukrainian 2.2%, Polish 2.1%, Lithuanian 1.2%, other 1.5%, unspecified 2.3% (2018 est.)

HIV/AIDS Adult Prevalence Rate

0.4% (2018 est.)

HIV/AIDS Deaths

<100 (2018 est.)

HIV/AIDS People Living With HIV/AIDS

5,300 (2018 est.)

Hospital Bed Density

5.8 beds/1,000 population (2013)

Infant Mortality Rate

Female

4.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

5.5 deaths/1,000 live births

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.)

Life Expectancy at Birth

Female

79.7 years

Male

70.4 years

Total Population

74.9 years (2018 est.)

Literacy

Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Female

99.9% (2015)

Male

99.9%

Total Population

99.9%

Major Infectious Diseases

Degree Of Risk

intermediate (2016)

Vectorborne Diseases

tickborne encephalitis (2016)

Major Urban Areas Population

634,000 RIGA (capital) (2019)

Maternal Mortality Rate

19 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median Age

Female

47.3 years

Male

40 years

Total

43.9 years (2018 est.)

Mother's Mean Age at First Birth

27.2 years (2014 est.)

Nationality

Adjective

Latvian

Noun

Latvian(s)

Net Migration Rate

-6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate

23.6% (2016)

Physicians Density

3.19 physicians/1,000 population (2016)

Population

1,923,559 (July 2018 est.)

Population Growth Rate

-1.1% (2018 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation Facility Access

Improved Rural

81.5% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Total

87.8% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Urban

90.8% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Rural

18.5% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Total

12.2% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

9.2% of population (2015 est.)

School Life Expectancy Primary To Tertiary Education

Female

17 years (2016)

Male

15 years

Total

16 years

Sex Ratio

0 14 Years

1.06 male(s)/female

15 24 Years

1.07 male(s)/female

25 54 Years

0.99 male(s)/female

55 64 Years

0.81 male(s)/female

65 Years And Over

0.49 male(s)/female

At Birth

1.05 male(s)/female

Total Population

0.86 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

1.52 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Unemployment Youth Ages 15 24

Female

15.4% (2017 est.)

Male

18.3%

Total

17%

Urbanization

Rate Of Urbanization

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

Urban Population

68.2% of total population (2019)

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 2019 (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

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 John Leslie CARWILE (since 5 November 2019)

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 Avenue 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 Egils LEVITS (since 8 July 2019)

Election Results

Egils LEVITS elected president; Parliament vote - Egils LEVITS 61 votes, Didzis SMITS 24, Juris JANSONS 8; Krisjanis KARINS confirmed 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 29 May 2019 (next to be held in 2023); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by Parliament

Head Of Government

Prime Minister Krisjanis KARINS (since 23 January 2019)

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 36 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 judges)

Judge Selection And Term Of Office

Supreme Court judges nominated by chief justice and confirmed by the Saeima; judges serve until age 70, but term can be extended 2 years; Constitutional Court judges - 3 nominated by Saeima members, 2 by Cabinet ministers, and 2 by plenum of Supreme Court; all judges confirmed by Saeima majority vote; Constitutional Court president and vice president serve in their positions for 3 years; all judges serve 10-year terms; mandatory retirement at age 70

Subordinate Courts

district (city) and regional courts

Legal System

civil law system with traces of socialist legal traditions and practices

Legislative Branch

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)

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

31 December 2015

0.05%

31 December 2017

0%

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

31 December 2016

2.61%

31 December 2017

2.58%

Current Account Balance

2016

$378 million

2017

-$231 million

Debt External

31 March 2015

$38.19 billion

31 March 2016

$40.02 billion

Distribution Of Family Income Gini Index

2014

35.4

2015

34.5

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

2013

0.7634

2014

0.885

2015

0.9214

2016

0.903

2017

0.885

Currency

euros (EUR) per US dollar -

Exports

2016

$11.35 billion

2017

$12.84 billion

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.)

GDP Per Capita Ppp

2015

$25,500

2016

$26,200

2017

$27,700

GDP Purchasing Power Parity

2015

$50.55 billion

2016

$51.67 billion

2017

$54.02 billion

GDP Real Growth Rate

2015

3%

2016

2.2%

2017

4.5%

Gross National Saving

2015

21.8% of GDP

2016

21% of GDP

2017

20.7% of GDP

Household Income Or Consumption By Percentage Share

Highest 10

26.3% (2015)

Lowest 10

2.2%

Imports

2016

$13.61 billion

2017

$15.79 billion

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

2016

0.1%

2017

2.9%

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

31 December 2014

$7.127 billion

31 December 2015

$6.799 billion

31 December 2016

$6.76 billion

Population Below Poverty Line

25.5% (2015)

Public Debt

2016

37.4% of GDP

2017

36.3% of GDP

Reserves Of Foreign Exchange And Gold

31 December 2016

$3.514 billion

31 December 2017

$4.614 billion

Stock Of Broad Money

31 December 2016

$10.71 billion

31 December 2017

$12.91 billion

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad

31 December 2016

$2.485 billion

31 December 2017

$3.402 billion

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment at Home

31 December 2016

$15.36 billion

31 December 2017

$18.84 billion

Stock Of Domestic Credit

31 December 2016

$15.11 billion

31 December 2017

$17.27 billion

Stock Of Narrow Money

31 December 2016

$10.71 billion

31 December 2017

$12.91 billion

Taxes And Other Revenues

37.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment Rate

2016

9.6%

2017

8.7%

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 (2018 est.)

Crude Oil Proved Reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity Access

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

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

Internet Country Code

.lv

Internet Users

Percent Of Population

79.9% (July 2016 est.)

Total

1,570,374

Telephone System

Domestic

fixed-line 18 per 100 and mobile-cellular 127 per 100 subscriptions (2018)

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 fiber broadband network, part-funded by European Commission; commercial 5G services coming in 2019 (2018)

International

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

Telephones Fixed Lines

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

18 (2017 est.)

Total Subscriptions

342,097

Telephones Mobile Cellular

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

127 (2017 est.)

Total Subscriptions

2,464,122

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 18, oil tanker 8, other 42 (2018)

Total

68

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

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

Ports And Terminals

Riga, Ventspils

Railways

Broad Gauge

1,826 km 1.520-m gauge (2018)

Narrow Gauge

34 km 0.750-m gauge (2018)

Total

1,860 km (2018)

Roadways

Paved

15,158 km (2018)

Total

70,244 km (2018)

Unpaved

55,086 km (2018)

Waterways

300 km (navigable year-round) (2010)

Military And Security Forces

National Armed Forces (Nacionalie Brunotie Speki): Land Forces (Latvijas Sauszemes Speki), Naval Force (Latvijas Juras Speki, includes Coast Guard (Latvijas Kara Flote)), Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa Speki), National Guard (2019)

Military Expenditures

2015

1.04% of GDP

2016

1.45% of GDP

2017

1.59% of GDP

2018

2.08% of GDP

2019

2.01% of GDP

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 (2017)

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 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

224,844 (2018); 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