Country Profile: Latvia

Latvia, located in Eastern Europe along the Baltic Sea, is bordered by Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south. With a population of approximately 1.89 million, it boasts a diverse society with a significant Russian minority. The country operates as a parliamentary republic, having regained its independence from Soviet control in 1991, and is a member of both NATO and the EU. Latvia's economy is classified as high-income, characterized by a recovery from previous economic contractions, though it faces challenges such as skilled labor shortages and informal sectors.

Geography

Latvia is characterized by its low-lying plains and moderate maritime climate, with a total area of 64,589 square kilometers. The country shares land boundaries with Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, and Russia and has a coastline of 498 kilometers along the Baltic Sea. It features diverse natural resources, including timber and hydropower, and over half of its land is covered in forests.

31.7% of land is used for agriculture (2023 est.)
Home to 3 World Heritage Sites
55.5% of land is forested (2023 est.)

People and Society

With a population of 1,888,439 (2025 est.), Latvia is home to a mix of ethnicities, including Latvians, Russians, and Belarusians. The official language is Latvian, while Russian is also widely spoken. The country has a median age of 43.8 years, with a significant urban population concentrated in the capital, Riga.

68.7% of the population lives in urban areas (2023)
Approx. 25% of the population are Russians
Life expectancy is 76.4 years (2024 est.)

Economy

Latvia's economy is a high-income EU member, focusing on the services sector, which accounts for 63.1% of its GDP. The country is experiencing a post-pandemic economic recovery, although it faces challenges like labor shortages and informal sectors. The GDP (PPP) for 2024 is estimated at $72.516 billion.

6.8% unemployment rate (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth of 2.9% (2023 est.)
22.5% of the population lives below the poverty line (2022 est.)

Government

Latvia operates as a parliamentary republic, with a president and a prime minister leading the executive branch. The current president is Edgars RINKEVICS, while the prime minister is Evika SILINA. The political system supports universal suffrage at the age of 18.

The capital is Riga, known for its historical architecture
100 members in the unicameral Saeima (Parliament)
National independence was declared on 18 November 1918

Military and Security

The National Armed Forces of Latvia consist of land, naval, and air forces, along with a National Guard. Military spending is approximately 3.7% of GDP (2025 est.), influenced by regional security concerns, particularly from Russia.

Approx. 9,000 active-duty military personnel (2025)
Conscription is mandatory for males aged 18-24
Latvia has participated in NATO missions globally

Energy

Latvia achieves 100% electrification, primarily depending on hydroelectric power, which constitutes 59.3% of its electricity generation capacity. The country is focusing on renewable energy sources while also importing natural gas.

65.908 million Btu/person total energy consumption per capita (2023 est.)
6.822 billion kWh consumed in electricity (2023 est.)
3.428 million kW of installed generating capacity (2023 est.)

Environment

Latvia faces environmental issues including air, soil, and water pollution. The country is active in global environmental agreements such as the Paris Agreement, and has a significant area dedicated to agriculture and forests which contributes to its biodiversity.

55.5% forest coverage (2023 est.)
31.3% of municipal solid waste is recycled (2022 est.)
34.94 billion cubic meters of renewable water resources (2022 est.)

Transportation

Latvia's transportation infrastructure includes 2,216 km of railways and 55 airports. The country is connected through a network of roads and maritime routes, facilitating both domestic and international travel.

83 vessels in the merchant marine (2023)
Riga serves as a crucial port city along the Baltic
489,000 fixed broadband subscriptions (2023 est.)

Communications

The telecommunications sector in Latvia is well-developed, with a significant percentage of the population having access to the internet. Mobile subscriptions are high, indicating widespread communication access.

92% internet user rate (2023 est.)
2.27 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2024 est.)
142,000 fixed-line subscriptions (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	1,888,439 (2025 est.)
Area	64,589 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$72.516 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	6.8% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	7.24 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	76.4 years (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures	3.7% of GDP (2025 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	65.908 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Urban Population	68.7% (2023)
Literacy Rate	99.9%