Latvia
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.). 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 28% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia acceded to both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004; it joined the eurozone in 2014.
Latvian Flag
Geography
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
country comparison to the world: 124
land: 62,249 sq km
water: 2,340 sq km
Area – comparative:
slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
total: 1,382 km
border countries: Belarus 171 km, Estonia 343 km, Lithuania 576 km, Russia 292 km
Coastline:
498 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
maritime; wet, moderate winters
Terrain:
low plain
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Gaizina Kalns 312 m
Natural resources:
peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, timber, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 17.96%
permanent crops: 0.11%
other: 81.93% (2011)
Irrigated land:
8.3 sq km
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 (2007)
Total renewable water resources:
35.45 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.42 cu km/yr (42%/45%/13%)
per capita: 177.9 cu m/yr (2007)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment – current issues:
Latvia’s environment has benefited from a shift to service industries after the country regained independence; the main environmental priorities are improvement of drinking water quality and sewage system, household, and hazardous waste management, as well as reduction of air pollution; in 2001, Latvia closed the EU accession negotiation chapter on environment committing to full enforcement of EU environmental directives by 2010
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 & Society
Nationality:
noun: Latvian(s)
adjective: Latvian
Ethnic groups:
Latvian 61.1%, Russian 26.2%, Belarusian 3.5%, Ukrainian 2.3%, Polish 2.2%, Lithuanian 1.3%, other 3.4% (2013 est.)
Languages:
Latvian (official) 56.3%, Russian 33.8%, other 0.6% (includes Polish, Ukrainian, and Belarusian), unspecified 9.4% (2011 est.)
Religions:
Lutheran 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, other Christian 1%, other 0.4%, unspecified 63.7% (2006)
Population:
2,165,165 (July 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Age structure:
0-14 years: 14.2% (male 156,851/female 150,074)
15-24 years: 11% (male 121,435/female 116,602)
25-54 years: 44.8% (male 481,336/female 487,991)
55-64 years: 17.2% (male 122,544/female 155,114)
65 years and over: 17.1% (male 121,668/female 251,550) (2014 est.)
Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio: 51 %
youth dependency ratio: 22.9 %
elderly dependency ratio: 28.1 %
potential support ratio: 3.6 (2014 est.)
Median age:
total: 41.4 years
male: 38.4 years
female: 44.3 years (2014 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.62% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 225
Birth rate:
9.79 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Death rate:
13.6 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Net migration rate:
-2.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Urbanization:
urban population: 67.7% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: -0.38% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas – population:
RIGA (capital) 701,000 (2011)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.86 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female
total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2014 est.)
Mother’s mean age at first birth:
26.4 (2011 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
34 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 120
Infant mortality rate:
total: 7.91 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 156
male: 9.6 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.44 years
country comparison to the world: 123
male: 68.41 years
female: 78.75 years (2014 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.35 children born/woman (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
67.8%
note: percent of women aged 18-49 (1995)
Health expenditures:
6.7% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 93
Physicians density:
2.9 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
Hospital bed density:
5.3 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 99.6% of population
rural: 95.8% of population
total: 98.4% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0.4% of population
rural: 4.2% of population
total: 1.6% of population (2011 est.)
Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 82.1% of population
rural: 71.1% of population
total: 78.6% of population
unimproved:
urban: 17.9% of population
rural: 28.9% of population
total: 21.4% of population (2009 est.)
HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate:
0.7% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS:
8,600 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
HIV/AIDS – deaths:
fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis (2013)
Obesity – adult prevalence rate:
24.9% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 62
Education expenditures:
5% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 77
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.8%
male: 99.8%
female: 99.8% (2011 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 16 years
male: 15 years
female: 16 years (2011)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total: 28.4%
country comparison to the world: 29
male: 27.6%
female: 29.3% (2012)
Government
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
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
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); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note – 18 November 1918 was the date Latvia declared independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 4 May 1990 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union
Constitution:
several previous (preindependence); note – at independence, parts of the 1922 constitution were reinforced and fully reinforced 6 July 1993; amended several times, last in 2009 (2009)
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
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Andris BERZINS (since 8 July 2011)
head of government: Prime Minister Laimdota STRAUJUMA (since 22 January 2014)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by Parliament
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 2 June 2011 (next to be held in 2015); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by Parliament
election results: Andris BERZINS elected president; parliamentary vote – Andris BERZINS 53, Valdis ZATLERS 41
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members elected by proportional representation from party lists by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 17 September 2011 (next to be held in October 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party – SC 28.4%, Reform 20.8%, Unity 18.8%, National Alliance 13.9%, ZZS 12.2%, other 5.9%; seats by party – SC 31, Unity 20, Reform 16, National Alliance 14, ZZS 13, unaffiliated 6
Judicial branch:
highest court(s): 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
Political parties and leaders:
Union of Greens and Farmers or ZZS [Raimonds VEJONIS]
Harmony Center or SC [Nils USAKOVS]
National Alliance “All For Latvia!”-“For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK” or NA [Gaidis BERZINS, Raivis DZINTARS]
Unity [Solvita ABOLTINA]
Reform Party or RP [Edmunds DEMITERS]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia [Peteris KRIGERS]
Employers’ Confederation of Latvia [Vitalijs GAVRILOVS]
Farmers’ Parliament [Juris LAZDINS]
International organization participation:
Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), 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, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Andris RAZANS (since 27 July 2012)
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 Mark A. PEKALA (since 10 July 2012)
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 anthem:
name: “Dievs, sveti Latviju!” (God Bless Latvia)
Economy
Economy – overview:
Latvia is a small, open economy with exports contributing nearly a third 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 softening world economy. Triggered by the collapse of the second largest bank, GDP plunged 18% in 2009.
The economy has not returned to pre-crisis levels despite strong growth, especially in the export sector in 2011-12. 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. The government of Prime Minister Valdis DOMBROVSKIS remains committed to fiscal prudence and reducing the fiscal deficit. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises, including 99.8% ownership of the Latvian national airline. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999 and the EU in May 2004. Latvia intends to join the euro zone in 2014.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$38.87 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
$37.38 billion (2012 est.)
$35.4 billion (2011 est.)
note: data are in 2013 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$30.38 billion (2013 est.)
GDP – real growth rate:
4% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
5.6% (2012 est.)
5.5% (2011 est.)
GDP – per capita (PPP):
$19,100 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
$18,300 (2012 est.)
$17,100 (2011 est.)
note: data are in 2013 US dollars
Gross national saving:
23.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
24.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
22.7% of GDP (2011 est.)
GDP – composition, by end use:
household consumption: 62.4%
government consumption: 15%
investment in fixed capital: 22.5%
investment in inventories: 2.8%
exports of goods and services: 61.3%
imports of goods and services: -63.9%
(2013 est.)
GDP – composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture: 4.9%
industry: 25.7%
services: 69.4% (2013 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:
4.2% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Labor force:
1.022 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Labor force – by occupation:
agriculture: 8.8%
industry: 24%
services: 67.2% (2010 est.)
Unemployment rate:
9.8% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
11.4% (2012 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 27.6% (2008)
Distribution of family income – Gini index:
35.2 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 90
32 (1999)
Budget:
revenues: $10.9 billion
expenditures: $10.95 billion (2013 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
35.9% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-0.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Public debt:
39.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
40.7% of GDP (2012 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
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
0.2% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
2.3% (2012 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
3.5% (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
3.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
5.52% (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$9.865 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
$9.099 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of broad money:
$12.57 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
$12.63 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$17.39 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
$18.39 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$1.115 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
$1.076 billion (31 December 2011)
$1.252 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Current account balance:
-$613.9 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
-$473.4 million (2012 est.)
Exports:
$12.67 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
$12.23 billion (2012 est.)
Exports – commodities:
food products, wood and wood products, metals, machinery and equipment, textiles
Exports – partners:
Russia 18.2%, Lithuania 14.9%, Estonia 12.1%, Germany 7.5%, Poland 5.6%, Sweden 4.8% (2012)
Imports:
$15.56 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
$15.15 billion (2012 est.)
Imports – commodities:
machinery and equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, fuels, vehicles
Imports – partners:
Lithuania 19.1%, Germany 11.6%, Russia 9.2%, Poland 8.2%, Estonia 7.6%, Italy 4.6%, Finland 4.4% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$7.22 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
$7.523 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Debt – external:
$39.87 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
$39.43 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment – at home:
$15.49 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
$14.14 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad:
$2.212 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
$1.992 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Exchange rates:
lati (LVL) per US dollar –
0.5313 (2013 est.)
0.5469 (2012 est.)
0.5305 (2010 est.)
0.5056 (2009)
0.4701 (2008)
note: Latvia joined the EMU and adopted the euro as its currency on 1 January 2014
Cincinnati Connection
Check back soon for more!
