Latvia

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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.

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

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57 00 N, 25 00 E

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Europe

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slightly larger than West Virginia

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498 km

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maritime; wet, moderate winters

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low plain

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

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6 sq km (2016)

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<strong>note:</strong> 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

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

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large percentage of agricultural fields can become waterlogged and require drainage

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

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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.)

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<strong>note:</strong> data represent language usually spoken at home

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

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-1.27% (2025 est.)

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7.24 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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14.68 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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-5.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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

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621,000 RIGA (capital) (2023)

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27.3 years (2020 est.)

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

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1.25 children born/woman (2025 est.)

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0.61 (2025 est.)

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3.4 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

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

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23.6% (2016)

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0.3% (2021 est.)

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49.6% (2021 est.)

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some soil, water, and air pollution&nbsp;

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maritime; wet, moderate winters

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15.6 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

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34.94 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

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parliamentary republic

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36 municipalities (<em>novadi</em>, singular - <em>novads</em>) and 7 state cities (<em>valstpilsetu pasvaldibas</em>, singular - <em>valstspilsetas pasvaldiba</em>) <br><br><strong>municipalities:</strong> 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 <br><br><strong>cities:</strong> Daugavpils, Jelgava, Jurmala, Liepaja, Rezekne, Riga, Ventspils

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civil law system with traces of socialist legal traditions and practices

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has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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18 years of age; universal

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For Stability or S!<br>For Latvia's Development or LA<br>Harmony or S<br>Honor to Serve Riga! or GKR<br>Latvia First or LPV<br>National Alliance or NA<br>New Unity or JV<br>People. Land. Statehood. or TZV<br>The Progressives or PRO<br>Union of Greens and Farmers or ZZS<br>United List or AS<br>We for Talsi and Municipality or MTuN

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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

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

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

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<strong>note:</strong> 18 November 1918 was the date Latvia established its statehood and independence from Soviet Russia; 4 May 1990 was the date it declared the restoration of statehood and independence from the Soviet Union

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<strong>description:</strong> three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon<br><br><strong>history:</strong> the flag is one of the older banners in the world -- a medieval chronicle mentions Latvian tribes using a red standard with a white stripe around 1280

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white wagtail (bird)

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maroon, white

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<p>high-income EU and eurozone member; weak recovery following economic contraction, with slight increase in private consumption and uncertain trade environment; challenges from skilled-labor shortages, capital market access, large informal sector, and green and digital transitions</p>

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<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

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<b>note:</b> annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

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<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

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$43.521 billion (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate

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<b>note:</b> annual % change based on consumer prices

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

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

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

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<b>note:</b> top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

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

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-4% (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

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954,900 (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

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<b>note:</b> % of labor force seeking employment

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<b>note:</b> % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

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22.5% (2022 est.)

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<b>note:</b> % of population with income below national poverty line

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

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<b>note:</b> % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

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

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

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<strong>note:</strong> 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

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16.7% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

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<b>note:</b> central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

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

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<b>note:</b> balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

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

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<b>note:</b> top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

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

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<b>note:</b> top five export commodities based on value in dollars

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<b>note:</b> balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

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

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<b>note:</b> top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

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

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<b>note:</b> top five import commodities based on value in dollars

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

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several national and regional commercial TV stations are foreign-owned, 2 national TV stations are publicly owned; system supplemented by privately owned regional and local TV stations; cable and satellite multi-channel TV services with domestic and foreign broadcasts available; publicly owned broadcaster operates 4 radio networks with dozens of stations; dozens of private broadcasters also operate radio stations

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.lv

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YL

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55 (2025)

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5 (2025)

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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)<br><br>Ministry of Interior: State Police, State Border Guards, State Security Service  (2025)

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<strong>note: </strong>the State Border Guard may become part of the armed forces during an emergency

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

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

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mandatory military service for all men 18-24; men and women 18-27 may volunteer for military service; service length 11 months in the Armed Forces or National Guard, or 5 years in the National Guard as a whole, with a minimum of 21 days of individual training and a maximum of 7 days of collective training each year (2026)

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

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140 Kosovo (KFOR/NATO) (2025)

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the National Armed Forces are responsible for the defense of the country’s sovereignty and territory; they also have some domestic security responsibilities, including coast guard functions, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, and providing support to other internal security services; the Military Police provides protection to the president and other government officials, foreign dignitaries, and key facilities; Latvia’s primary external security focus is Russia<br><br>in 2004, Latvia joined NATO and the EU, both of which it depends on to play a decisive role in Latvia’s security policy; the Latvian military has participated in EU and NATO missions abroad and regularly conducts training and exercises with EU and NATO partner forces; Latvia also hosts NATO partner forces; since 2017, it has hosted a Canadian-led multinational NATO ground force battlegroup as part of the Alliance’s Enhanced Forward Presence initiative; in addition, NATO has provided air protection for Latvia since 2004 through its Baltics Air Policing mission<br><br>Latvia is a member of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, a pool of high-readiness military forces from 10 Baltic and Scandinavian countries designed to respond to a wide range of contingencies in the North Atlantic, Baltic Sea, and High North regions (2025)