Latvia Travel Podcast with Elza Ozola

Location

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania

Terrain

Low plain

Climate

Maritime; wet, moderate winters

Elevation

Highest point

Gaizina Kalns 312 m

Lowest point

Baltic Sea 0 m

Mean elevation

87 m

Area

Total

64,589 sq km

Land

62,249 sq km

Water

2,340 sq km

Size comparison

Slightly larger than West Virginia

Coastline

498 km

Land borders

Total

1,370 km

Border countries

Belarus 161 km; Estonia 333 km; Lithuania 544 km; Russia 332 km

Natural resources

Peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, timber, arable land

Land use

Agricultural land

31.7% (2023 est.)

Arable land

21.9% (2023 est.)

Permanent crops

0.2% (2023 est.)

Permanent pasture

9.7% (2023 est.)

Forest

55.5% (2023 est.)

Other

12.8% (2023 est.)

Natural hazards

Large percentage of agricultural fields can become waterlogged and require drainage

Note

Most of the country is composed of fertile low-lying plains with some hills in the east

Population

Total

1,888,439 (2025 est.)

Male

876,654

Female

1,011,785

Nationality

Noun

Latvian(s)

Adjective

Latvian

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

Languages

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

Major-language sample(s)

World Factbook, neaizstājams avots pamata informāciju. (Latvian)

Religions

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

Median age

Total

43.8 years (2025 est.)

Male

41.6 years

Female

49.2 years

Life expectancy

Total population

76.4 years (2024 est.)

Male

72 years

Female

81 years

Urbanisation

Urban population

68.7% of total population (2023)

Rate of urbanization

-0.68% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Where people live

Largest concentration of people is found in and around the port and capital city of Riga; small agglomerations are scattered throughout the country

Largest cities

621,000 RIGA (capital) (2023)

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 the USSR annexed it in 1940 -- an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. Latvia reestablished its independence in 1991 after the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 25% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia joined both NATO and the EU in 2004; it joined the euro zone in 2014 and the OECD in 2016.

Government

Parliamentary republic

Capital

Riga

Time zone

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Local name

Latvijas Republika

Independence

18 November 1918 (from Soviet Russia); 4 May 1990 (declared from the Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)

National day

Independence Day (Republic of Latvia Proclamation Day), 18 November (1918)

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

GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2024

$38,900 (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$38,800 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

$37,700 (2022 est.)

Inflation

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024

1.3% (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

8.9% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

17.3% (2022 est.)

Unemployment

Unemployment rate 2024

6.8% (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

6.5% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate 2022

6.9% (2022 est.)

Exchange rate

Currency

Euros (EUR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2024

0.924 (2024 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

0.925 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

0.95 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

0.845 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

0.876 (2020 est.)

Main industries

Processed foods, processed wood products, textiles, processed metals, pharmaceuticals, railroad cars, synthetic fibers, electronics

Agriculture

Wheat, milk, rapeseed, barley, oats, potatoes, rye, beans, peas, chicken (2023)

Airports

55 (2025)

Railways

Total 2,216 km (2020) 257 km electrified

Ports

Total ports

5 (2024)

Large

1

Medium

2

Small

0

Very small

2

Ports with oil terminals

3

Key ports

Lielupe, Liepaja, Riga, Salacgriva, Ventspils

Internet domain

.lv

Internet users

Percent of population 92% (2023 est.)

Mobile subscriptions

Total subscriptions

2.27 million (2024 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

121 (2024 est.)

Environmental issues

Some soil, water, and air pollution

Fresh water

34.94 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)