Country Profile: Latvia

Latvia is situated in Eastern Europe along the Baltic Sea, bordered by Estonia and Lithuania. With a population of approximately 1.89 million, the country boasts a diverse cultural heritage stemming from various historical influences, including Baltic tribes and multiple foreign dominations. Latvia has transformed into a high-income EU and eurozone member with a mixed economy and a strong emphasis on agricultural and industrial sectors. The government operates as a parliamentary republic, ensuring democratic governance and participation.

Geography

Latvia is located in Eastern Europe, bordered by the Baltic Sea to the west between Estonia and Lithuania. The total area of the country is 64,589 sq km, featuring a predominantly low plain terrain, with its highest point at Gaizina Kalns standing at 312 m. The climate is maritime, characterized by wet, moderate winters which influence its ecological balance.

Coastline Length: 498 km
Total Land Boundaries: 1,370 km
Natural Resources: peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, timber
Agricultural Land Usage: 31.7% of total area (2023 est.)
Forest Coverage: 55.5% of total area (2023 est.)
Irrigated Land: 6 sq km (2016)

People and Society

As of 2025, Latvia's estimated population stands at 1,888,439, with a gender distribution of 46% male and 54% female. The ethnic composition includes 62.7% Latvians, followed by a significant Russian minority. The official language is Latvian, while notable religious affiliations include Lutheran, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox.

Population Growth Rate: -1.27% (2025 est.)
Urban Population: 68.7% (2023)
Life Expectancy: 76.4 years (2024 est.)
Birth Rate: 7.24 births/1,000 (2025 est.)
Death Rate: 14.68 deaths/1,000 (2025 est.)
Median Age: 43.8 years (2025 est.)

Economy

Latvia's economy is characterized as a high-income EU member, facing challenges such as skilled labor shortages and a large informal sector. The GDP (PPP) for 2024 is estimated to be $72.516 billion, with a real growth rate of -0.4% for that year. The service sector dominates the economy, contributing 63.1% to GDP.

GDP per Capita: $38,900 (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 6.8% (2024 est.)
Agriculture's Contribution: 4.1% (2024 est.)
Inflation Rate: 1.3% (2024 est.)
Public Debt: 36.3% of GDP (2017)
Population Below Poverty Line: 22.5% (2022 est.)

Government

Latvia is a parliamentary republic with a well-defined governance structure. The establishment of independence dates back to November 18, 1918, with a significant restoration in 1991. The current president is Edgars RINKEVICS, and the prime minister is Evika SILINA.

Administrative Divisions: 36 municipalities and 7 state cities
Voting Age: 18 years
Legislature: Unicameral Saeima with 100 members
Most Recent Election: May 31, 2023
Participation in International Organizations: NATO, EU, and OECD
Constitutional Amendments: Require a two-thirds majority in Parliament

Military and Security

Latvia has a robust defense structure comprising the National Armed Forces, which include the Land Forces, Naval Force, and Air Force. Military expenditures are projected at 3.7% of GDP in 2025, reflecting a commitment to national defense and participation in international security alliances.

Active Military Personnel: Approximately 9,000 (2025)
Mandatory Military Service: For men aged 18-24
Military Equipment: Consists of European and US armaments
NATO Membership: Since 2004
Major Military Deployment: 140 troops in Kosovo (2025)
Defense Responsibilities: Includes domestic security and humanitarian aid

Energy

Latvia's energy sector is evolving, with the country achieving 100% electrification by 2022. Its electricity generation is largely reliant on renewable sources, including hydroelectricity, which represents 59.3% of the installed capacity.

Installed Electricity Capacity: 3.428 million kW (2023 est.)
Total Energy Consumption per Capita: 65.908 million Btu (2023 est.)
Natural Gas Consumption: 786.523 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Petroleum Production: 2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity Imports: 4.075 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Coal Consumption: 20,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Communications

Latvia has a well-developed communication infrastructure, with high internet penetration at 92% of the population. The mobile cellular subscription rate is notable, reflecting connectivity and access to information.

Total Mobile Subscriptions: 2.27 million (2024 est.)
Fixed Line Subscriptions: 142,000 (2023 est.)
Broadband Fixed Subscriptions: 489,000 (2023 est.)
Internet Country Code: .lv
Television and Radio: Multiple national and regional channels available
Percentage of Internet Users: 92% (2023 est.)

Transportation

Latvia's transportation network includes extensive railways and air travel facilities, with 55 airports and a merchant marine fleet of 83 vessels. The country also has significant railway infrastructure for freight and passenger transport.

Total Railways: 2,216 km (2020)
Airports: 55 (2025)
Ports: 5 major ports (2024)
Civil Aircraft Registration Prefix: YL
Merchant Marine Composition: Includes 30 general cargo ships
Heliports: 5 (2025)

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	(2025 est.)
Death Rate	14.68 deaths/1,000	(2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	76.4 years	(2024 est.)