Europe :: Latvia

- Introduction :: Latvia
- 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.
- Geography :: Latvia
- Location:
  Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
  Geographic coordinates:
  57 00 N, 25 00 E
  Map references:
  Europe
  Area:
  total: 64,589 sq km
  land: 62,249 sq km
  water: 2,340 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 125
  Area - comparative:
  slightly larger than West Virginia
  Land boundaries:
  total: 1,370 km
  border countries (4): Belarus 161 km, Estonia 333 km, Lithuania 544 km, Russia 332 km
  Coastline:
  498 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  exclusive economic zone: limits as agreed to by Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Russia
  continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
  Climate:
  maritime; wet, moderate winters
  Terrain:
  low plain
  Elevation:
  mean elevation: 87 m
  elevation extremes: 0 m lowest point: Baltic Sea
  312 highest point: Gaizina Kalns
  Natural resources:
  peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, timber, arable land
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 29.2% (2011 est.)
  arable land: 18.6% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 0.1% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 10.5% (2011 est.)
  forest: 54.1% (2011 est.)
  other: 16.7% (2011 est.)
  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

  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
  Natural hazards:
  large percentage of agricultural fields can become waterlogged and require drainage
  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
  Geography - note:
  most of the country is composed of fertile low-lying plains with some hills in the east
- People and Society :: Latvia
- Population:
  1,923,559 (July 2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 150
  Nationality:
  noun: Latvian(s)
  adjective: Latvian
  Ethnic groups:
  Latvian 62%, Russian 25.4%, Belarusian 3.3%, Ukrainian 2.2%, Polish 2.1%, Lithuanian 1.2%, other 3.8% (2017 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

  Religions:
  Lutheran 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, other Christian 1%, other 0.4%, unspecified 63.7% (2006)
  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.)
  population pyramid:
  The World Factbook Field Image Modal
  Europe :: Latvia Print
  Image Description
  This is the population pyramid for Latvia. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.
  For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 52.5 (2015 est.)
  youth dependency ratio: 23.1 (2015 est.)
  elderly dependency ratio: 29.4 (2015 est.)
  potential support ratio: 3.4 (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 43.9 years
  male: 40 years
  female: 47.3 years (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 16
  Population growth rate:
  -1.1% (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 227
  Birth rate:
  9.6 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 197
  Death rate:
  14.5 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 5
  Net migration rate:
  -6.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 198
  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
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 68.1% of total population (2018)
  rate of urbanization: -0.93% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  637,000 RIGA (capital) (2018)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  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.)
  total population: 0.85 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  Mother's mean age at first birth:
  27.2 years (2014 est.)
  Maternal mortality rate:
  18 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 130
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 5.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
  male: 5.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
  female: 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 175
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 74.9 years (2018 est.)
  male: 70.4 years (2018 est.)
  female: 79.7 years (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 118
  Total fertility rate:
  1.52 children born/woman (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 193
  Health expenditures:
  5.9% of GDP (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 106
  Physicians density:
  3.21 physicians/1,000 population (2015)
  Hospital bed density:
  5.8 beds/1,000 population (2013)
  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.)
  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.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  0.7% (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 54
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  6,600 (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 112
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  <500 (2016 est.)
  Major infectious diseases:
  degree of risk: intermediate (2016)
  vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis (2016)
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  23.6% (2016)
  country comparison to the world: 65
  Education expenditures:
  5.3% of GDP (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 59
  Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write (2015 est.)
  total population: 99.9% (2015 est.)
  male: 99.9% (2015 est.)
  female: 99.9% (2015 est.)
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 16 years (2014)
  male: 16 years (2014)
  female: 17 years (2014)
  Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
  total: 17.3% (2016 est.)
  male: 21.4% (2016 est.)
  female: 12.1% (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 76
- Government :: Latvia
- Country name:
  conventional long form: Republic of Latvia
  conventional short form: Latvia
  local long form: Latvijas Republika
  local short form: Latvija
  former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
  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.)
  Government type:
  parliamentary republic
  Capital:
  name: Riga
  geographic coordinates: 56 57 N, 24 06 E
  time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
  Administrative divisions:

  110 municipalities (novadi, singular - novads) and 9 cities

  municipalities: 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

  Independence:
  4 May 1990 (declared independence from the Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)
  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
  Constitution:
  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)
  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)
  Legal system:
  civil law system with traces of socialist legal traditions and practices
  International law organization participation:
  has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
  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
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  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
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: President Raimonds VEJONIS (since 8 July 2015)
  head of government: Prime Minister Maris KUCINSKIS (since 11 February 2016); Deputy Prime Minister Arvils ASERADENS (since 11 February 2016)
  cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, appointed by Parliament
  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
  election results: Raimonds VEJONIS elected president; Parliament vote - Raimonds VEJONIS 55 of 100
  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)
  elections: last held on 6 October 2018 (next to be held in October 2022)
  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%
  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]
  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
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Andris TEIKMANIS (since 16 September 2016)
  chancery: 2306 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008
  telephone: [1] (202) 328-2840
  FAX: [1] (202) 328-2860
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Nancy Bikoff PETTIT (since 8 September 2015)
  embassy: 1 Samnera Velsa St, Riga LV-1510
  mailing address: Embassy of the United States of America, 1 Samnera Velsa St, Riga, LV-1510, Latvia
  telephone: [371] 6710-7000
  FAX: [371] 6710-7050
  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
  National symbol(s):
  white wagtail (bird); national colors: maroon, white
  National anthem:
  name: "Dievs, sveti Latviju!" (God Bless Latvia)
  lyrics/music: Karlis BAUMANIS

  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

- Economy :: Latvia
- 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.

  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

  country comparison to the world: 108
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $30.33 billion (2017 est.) (2017 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  4.5% (2017 est.)
  2.2% (2016 est.)
  3% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 64
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $27,700 (2017 est.)
  $26,200 (2016 est.)
  $25,500 (2015 est.)

  note: data are in 2017 dollars

  country comparison to the world: 76
  Gross national saving:
  20.7% of GDP (2017 est.)
  21% of GDP (2016 est.)
  21.8% of GDP (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 91
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 61.8% (2017 est.)
  government consumption: 18.2% (2017 est.)
  investment in fixed capital: 19.9% (2017 est.)
  investment in inventories: 1.5% (2017 est.)
  exports of goods and services: 60.6% (2017 est.)
  imports of goods and services: -61.9% (2017 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 3.9% (2017 est.)
  industry: 22.4% (2017 est.)
  services: 73.7% (2017 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  grain, rapeseed, potatoes, vegetables; pork, poultry, milk, eggs; fish
  Industries:
  processed foods, processed wood products, textiles, processed metals, pharmaceuticals, railroad cars, synthetic fibers, electronics
  Industrial production growth rate:
  10.6% (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 12
  Labor force:
  990,000 (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 144
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 7.7%
  industry: 24.1%
  services: 68.1% (2016 est.)
  Unemployment rate:
  8.7% (2017 est.)
  9.6% (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 124
  Population below poverty line:
  25.5% (2015)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: 26.3% (2015)
  highest 10%: 26.3% (2015)
  Distribution of family income - Gini index:
  34.5 (2015)
  35.4 (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 102
  Budget:
  revenues: 11.39 billion (2017 est.)
  expenditures: 11.53 billion (2017 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  37.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 54
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -0.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 62
  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

  country comparison to the world: 147
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  2.9% (2017 est.)
  0.1% (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 130
  Central bank discount rate:
  0% (31 December 2017 est.)
  0.05% (31 December 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 155
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  2.58% (31 December 2017 est.)
  2.61% (31 December 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 181
  Stock of narrow money:
  $12.91 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
  $10.71 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 78
  Stock of broad money:
  $12.91 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
  $10.71 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 79
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $17.27 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
  $15.11 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 94
  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.)
  country comparison to the world: 80
  Current account balance:
  -$231 million (2017 est.)
  $378 million (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 99
  Exports:
  $12.84 billion (2017 est.)
  $11.35 billion (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 83
  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)
  Exports - commodities:
  foodstuffs, wood and wood products, metals, machinery and equipment, textiles
  Imports:
  $15.79 billion (2017 est.)
  $13.61 billion (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 87
  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)
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $4.614 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
  $3.514 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 97
  Debt - external:
  $40.02 billion (31 March 2016 est.)
  $38.19 billion (31 March 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 74
  Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
  $18.84 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
  $15.36 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 82
  Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
  $3.402 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
  $2.485 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 80
  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.)
- Energy :: Latvia
- Electricity access:
  electrification - total population: 100% (2016)
  Electricity - production:
  6.241 billion kWh (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 115
  Electricity - consumption:
  6.798 billion kWh (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 109
  Electricity - exports:
  3.795 billion kWh (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 38
  Electricity - imports:
  4.828 billion kWh (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 39
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  2.932 million kW (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 98
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  39% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 173
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 125
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  53% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 33
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  8% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 87
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 159
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 152
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 150
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 155
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 163
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  44,600 bbl/day (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 111
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  16,180 bbl/day (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 72
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  54,370 bbl/day (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 77
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 155
  Natural gas - consumption:
  1.218 billion cu m (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 88
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 136
  Natural gas - imports:
  1.246 billion cu m (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 58
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 156
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  8.632 million Mt (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 114
- Communications :: Latvia
- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 342,097 (2017 est.)
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 109
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total subscriptions: 2,464,122 (2017 est.)
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 127 (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 144
  Telephone system:
  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)
  domestic: fixed-line 18 per 100 and mobile-cellular 127 per 100 subscriptions (2017)
  international: country code - 371; the Latvian network is now connected via fiber-optic cable to Estonia, Finland, and Sweden (2016)
  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:
  total: 1,570,374 (July 2016 est.)
  percent of population: 79.9% (July 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 120
  Broadband - fixed subscriptions:
  total: 525,679 (2017 est.)
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 27 (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 80
- Transportation :: Latvia
- National air transport system:
  number of registered air carriers: 3 (2015)
  inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 47 (2015)
  annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 2,527,368 (2015)
  annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 2,277,996 mt-km (2015)
  Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:
  YL (2016)
  Airports:
  42 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 101
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 18 (2017)
  over 3,047 m: 1 (2017)
  2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2017)
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2017)
  914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2017)
  under 914 m: 7 (2017)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 24 (2013)
  under 914 m: 24 (2013)
  Heliports:
  1 (2013)
  Pipelines:
  928 km gas, 415 km refined products (2013)
  Railways:
  total: 2,239 km (2008)
  narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2008)
  broad gauge: 2,206 km 1.520-m gauge (2008)
  country comparison to the world: 70
  Roadways:
  total: 70,192 km (2016)
  paved: 14,959 km (2016)
  unpaved: 55,233 km (2016)
  country comparison to the world: 67
  Waterways:
  300 km (navigable year-round) (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 92
  Merchant marine:
  total: 65 (2017)
  by type: general cargo 15, oil tanker 8, other 42 (2017)
  country comparison to the world: 105
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Riga, Ventspils
- Military and Security :: Latvia
- 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)
  country comparison to the world: 65
  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 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)
- Transnational Issues :: Latvia
- 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
  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
  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