Country Summary
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 following 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
1,842,226 (2022 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%; note - data represent language usually spoken at home (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
-1.11% (2022 est.)
Government
Government type
parliamentary republic
Capital
name: Riga
Executive branch
chief of state: President Egils LEVITS (since 8 July 2019)
head of government: Prime Minister Krisjanis KARINS (since 23 January 2019)
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)
Economy
Economic overview
high-income, EU-member Baltic economy; export-driven; major bribery and money-laundering scandals suggest widespread financial corruption; strong but gradual post COVID-19 recovery; regional tension with Belarus; highly developed transit services
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$56.92 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$29,900 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products
wheat, milk, rapeseed, barley, oats, potatoes, rye, beans, pork, poultry
Industries
processed foods, processed wood products, textiles, processed metals, pharmaceuticals, railroad cars, synthetic fibers, electronics
Exports
$20.23 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners
Lithuania 16%, Estonia 10%, Russia 9%, Germany 7%, Sweden 6%, United Kingdom 6% (2019)
Exports - commodities
lumber, broadcasting equipment, whiskey and other hard liquors, wheat, packaged medicines (2019)
Imports
$19.84 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners
Russia 21%, Lithuania 14%, Germany 9%, Poland 7%, Estonia 7% (2019)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, cars, packaged medicines, aircraft (2019)
Exchange rates
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Page last updated: Friday, May 13, 2022
