Country Profile: Latvia

Latvia, located in Eastern Europe along the Baltic Sea, is bordered by Estonia, Lithuania, Belarus, and Russia. With a population of approximately 1.8 million, the country has a diverse culture shaped by various historical influences, including German, Polish, and Russian rule. Latvia operates as a parliamentary republic, with Riga serving as its capital. The economy is classified as a high-income EU member, though it faces challenges such as labor shortages and reliance on trade.

Geography

Latvia is situated in Eastern Europe, with its geographic coordinates at 57° N latitude and 25° E longitude. The country spans an area of 64,589 square kilometers, characterized by low plains and a coastline of 498 kilometers along the Baltic Sea. The climate is maritime, featuring wet, moderate winters.

31.7% of Latvia's land is used for agriculture as of 2023.
55.5% of the land is covered by forests, a significant natural resource.
The highest point is Gaizina Kalns, reaching 312 meters.

People and Society

As of 2024, Latvia has a population of approximately 1.8 million, where Latvians make up around 62.7%. The population has been experiencing a decline, with a growth rate of -1.14% observed in 2024. The urban population accounts for 68.7% of the total, primarily centered around the capital city, Riga.

The median age is 45.5 years.
The birth rate stands at 8.3 births per 1,000 population in 2024.
Life expectancy is 76.4 years, with females living longer at 81 years compared to 72 years for males.

Economy

Latvia's economy is classified as high-income and is integrated into the EU and eurozone. In 2023, the real GDP, measured by purchasing power parity, was approximately $72.8 billion with a per capita GDP of $38,800. Despite experiencing a slight recovery post-contraction, challenges persist in labor markets and trade conditions.

63.1% of GDP is generated from the service sector (2024).
Inflation was notably high at 8.9% in 2023 but is projected to decrease to 1.3% in 2024.
The unemployment rate was reported at 6.5% in 2023.

Government

Latvia is a parliamentary republic with a unicameral legislature known as the Saeima, consisting of 100 members. The President and Prime Minister are elected by Parliament, with the most recent presidential election occurring on May 31, 2023.

The current President is Edgars RINKEVICS since July 8, 2023, and the Prime Minister is Evika SILINA since September 15, 2023.
The legal system is based on civil law with influences from socialist traditions.
All citizens aged 18 and above have the right to vote.

Military and Security

Latvia maintains a National Armed Forces, including land, naval, and air components, alongside the National Guard. As of 2025, military expenditures are projected to be 3.7% of GDP, reflecting the country’s commitment to defense amid regional security concerns.

The military comprises approximately 9,000 active-duty personnel.
Latvia has participated in NATO missions since joining the alliance in 2004.
The country has reintroduced conscription in 2024.

Energy

The energy sector in Latvia is diverse, with a blend of renewable and non-renewable sources. By 2023, Latvia's electricity consumption was 6.822 billion kWh, with 59.3% of its generating capacity derived from hydroelectric sources.

Electricity access is universal at 100% as of 2022.
The total installed generating capacity reached 3.428 million kW in 2023.
The country consumes about 786.523 million cubic meters of natural gas annually (2023).

Transportation

Latvia features a well-developed transportation network, including railways, roads, and air transport. As of 2025, the country has 55 airports and 83 vessels in its merchant marine.

The rail network measures 2,216 km, with 257 km electrified.
There are 5 major ports, including Riga and Liepaja.
Latvia has 2.26 million mobile cellular subscriptions as of 2023.

Communications

The communication infrastructure in Latvia is modern and widely accessible, with a high percentage of the population utilizing the internet.

Approximately 92% of the population are internet users as of 2023.
The country has 489,000 fixed broadband subscriptions.
There are 142,000 fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	1,801,246	2024 estimate
Area	64,589 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$72.838 billion	2023 estimate
GDP per capita	$38,800	2023 estimate
Unemployment rate	6.5%	2023 estimate
Birth rate	8.3 births/1,000 population	2024 estimate
Life expectancy	76.4 years	2024 estimate
Military expenditure	3% of GDP	2023 estimate
Urban population	68.7%	2023 estimate
Energy consumption per capita	65.908 million Btu/person	2023 estimate