Latvia

World Book Index

Introduction

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. Latvia reestablished its independence in 1991 after the breakup of the Soviet Union.

Geography

Area
total : 64,589 sq km
land: 62,249 sq km
water: 2,340 sq km

Climate
maritime; wet, moderate winters

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

People and Society

Population
total: 1,801,246 (2024 est.)

Ethnic groups
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.)

Languages
Latvian (official) 56.3%, Russian 33.8%, other 0.6% (includes Polish, Ukrainian, and Belarusian), unspecified 9.4% (2011 est.)

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

Population growth rate
-1.14% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
parliamentary republic

Capital
name: Riga

Executive branch
chief of state: President Edgars RINKEVICS (since 8 July 2023)
head of government: Prime Minister Evika SILINA (since 15 September 2023)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Elita KUZMA (since 18 September 2024)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher ROBINSON (since 21 February 2023)

Economy

Economic overview
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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$72.516 billion (2024 est.)
$72.838 billion (2023 est.)
$70.817 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$38,900 (2024 est.)
$38,800 (2023 est.)
$37,700 (2022 est.)

Exports
$28.117 billion (2024 est.)
$28.294 billion (2023 est.)
$29.364 billion (2022 est.)

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

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

Imports
$29.234 billion (2024 est.)
$29.875 billion (2023 est.)
$31.206 billion (2022 est.)

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

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

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.889, ranking it 41st out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 30th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 6.523. (more information)