Latvia — Country profile

Europe

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.

Economy

Budget: revenues:
$14.58 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures:
$15.432 billion (2023 est.)
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Exports: Exports 2022:
$29.364 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023:
$28.294 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024:
$28.117 billion (2024 est.)
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports: Imports 2022:
$31.206 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023:
$29.875 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024:
$29.234 billion (2024 est.)
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Industries: processed foods, processed wood products, textiles, processed metals, pharmaceuticals, railroad cars, synthetic fibers, electronics
Labor force: 954,900 (2024 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Public debt: Public debt 2017:
36.3% of GDP (2017 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
Remittances: Remittances 2022:
3.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023:
2.9% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024:
3.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Exchange rates: Currency:
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020:
0.876 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021:
0.845 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022:
0.95 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023:
0.925 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024:
0.924 (2024 est.)
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
Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2022:
6.9% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023:
6.5% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024:
6.8% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
Exports - partners: Lithuania 19%, Estonia 6%, Russia 6%, Germany 6%, Sweden 5% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Imports - partners: Lithuania 18%, Germany 11%, Poland 10%, Estonia 8%, Finland 5% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2022:
$37,700 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023:
$38,800 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024:
$38,900 (2024 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2022:
1.8% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023:
2.9% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024:
-0.4% (2024 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Agricultural products: wheat, milk, rapeseed, barley, oats, potatoes, rye, beans, peas, chicken (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Exports - commodities: wood, wheat, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicine, natural gas (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, packaged medicine, broadcasting equipment, natural gas (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Current account balance: Current account balance 2022:
-$2.082 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023:
-$1.663 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024:
-$923.266 million (2024 est.)
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Taxes and other revenues: 16.7% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
GDP (official exchange rate): $43.521 billion (2024 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption:
62.7% (2023 est.)
government consumption:
20.2% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories:
-0.1% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital:
24.7% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services:
66.5% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services:
-70.2% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Population below poverty line: 22.5% (2022 est.)
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Average household expenditures: on food:
19.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco:
7.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022:
17.3% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023:
8.9% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024:
1.3% (2024 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Industrial production growth rate: -4% (2024 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022:
$70.817 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023:
$72.838 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024:
$72.516 billion (2024 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): male:
13% (2024 est.)
total:
12.5% (2024 est.)
female:
11.9% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022:
$4.46 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023:
$4.957 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024:
$5.141 billion (2024 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: industry:
19.9% (2024 est.)
services:
63.1% (2024 est.)
agriculture:
4.1% (2024 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%:
2.6% (2022 est.)
highest 10%:
25.8% (2022 est.)
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2022:
33.7 (2022 est.)
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

Energy

Coal: exports:
12,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports:
39,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption:
20,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production:
2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption:
33,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)
Electricity: exports:
3.271 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports:
4.075 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption:
6.822 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity:
3.428 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses:
342.238 million kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas: imports:
786.523 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption:
786.523 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Electricity access: electrification - total population:
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: Total energy consumption per capita 2023:
65.908 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources: wind:
4.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar:
3.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels:
22.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity:
59.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste:
10.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

More about Latvia

People and Society

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)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
note: data represent language usually spoken at home
Religions: Lutheran 36.2%, Roman Catholic 19.5%, Orthodox 19.1%, other Christian 1.6%, other 0.1%, unspecified/none 23.5% (2017 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years:
1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
0.98 male(s)/female
total population:
0.87 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over:
0.52 male(s)/female
Birth rate: 7.24 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate: 14.68 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age: male:
41.6 years
total:
43.8 years (2025 est.)
female:
49.2 years
Population: male:
876,654
total:
1,888,439 (2025 est.)
female:
1,011,785
Nationality: noun:
Latvian(s)
adjective:
Latvian
Tobacco use: male:
43.5% (2025 est.)
total:
28.8% (2025 est.)
female:
16.4% (2025 est.)
Urbanization: urban population:
68.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization:
-0.68% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years:
14.7% (male 136,482/female 128,492)
15-64 years:
63% (male 562,754/female 572,850)
65 years and over:
22.2% (2024 est.) (male 137,746/female 262,922)
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.)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio:
56.2 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio:
23.3 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio:
3 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio:
33 (2025 est.)
Physician density: 3.4 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Health expenditure: Health expenditure (as % of GDP):
9% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget):
12.1% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -5.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density: 5.3 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.25 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source: improved: rural:
rural: 98.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total:
total: 98.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban:
urban: 98.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural:
rural: 1.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total:
total: 1.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban:
urban: 1.1% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure: Education expenditure (% GDP):
4.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget):
9.9% national budget (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate: male:
5.1 deaths/1,000 live births
total:
2.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female:
4.3 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate: -1.27% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate: 0.61 (2025 est.)
Population distribution: largest concentration of people is found in and around the port and capital city of Riga; small agglomerations are scattered throughout the country
Life expectancy at birth: male:
72 years
female:
81 years
total population:
76.4 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 19 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita: beer:
4.9 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine:
1.7 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total:
12.9 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits:
5.3 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols:
1 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 621,000 RIGA (capital) (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 23.6% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 27.3 years (2020 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 49.6% (2021 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 0.3% (2021 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): male:
15 years (2023 est.)
total:
16 years (2023 est.)
female:
17 years (2023 est.)

Government

Flag: description: three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon

history: the flag is one of the older banners in the world -- a medieval chronicle mentions Latvian tribes using a red standard with a white stripe around 1280
Capital: name:
Riga
etymology:
the name's origin is unclear; it may derive from the Old Lithuanian word ringa, meaning "bend" or "curve" and referring to the city's location on the Western Dvina River; alternatively, it may come from the Latvian word ridzina, meaning "stream"
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
geographic coordinates:
56 57 N, 24 06 E
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Citizenship: citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Latvia
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
Constitution: history:
several previous (pre-1991 independence); after independence was restored in 1991, parts of the 1922 constitution were reintroduced on 4 May 1990 and fully reintroduced on 6 July 1993
amendment process:
proposed by two thirds of Parliament members or by petition of one tenth of qualified voters submitted through the president; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of Parliament in each of three readings; amendment of constitutional articles, including national sovereignty, language, the parliamentary electoral system, and constitutional amendment procedures, requires passage in a referendum by majority vote of at least one half of the electorate
Country name: former:
Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic (while occupied by the USSR)
etymology:
the name originates from the Latgalians, one of four eastern Baltic tribes that formed the ethnic core of the Latvian people (ca. 8th-12th centuries A.D.)
local long form:
Latvijas Republika
local short form:
Latvija
conventional long form:
Republic of Latvia
conventional short form:
Latvia
Independence: 18 November 1918 (from Soviet Russia); 4 May 1990 (declared from the Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)
Legal system: civil law system with traces of socialist legal traditions and practices
Government type: parliamentary republic
Judicial branch: highest court(s):
Supreme Court (consists of the Senate with 36 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 judges)
subordinate courts:
district (city) and regional courts
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
Executive branch: cabinet:
Cabinet of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, appointed by Parliament
chief of state:
President Edgars RINKEVICS (since 8 July 2023)
election results:

2023: Edgars RINKEVICS elected president in the third round; Parliament vote - Edgars RINKEVICS (Unity Party) 52, Uldis Pīlēns (independent) 25; Evika SILINA confirmed as prime minister 53-39

2019: Egils LEVITS elected president; Parliament vote - Egils LEVITS (independent) 61, Didzis SMITS (KPV LV) 24, Juris JANSONS (independent) 8; Krisjanis KARINS confirmed as prime minister 61-39
head of government:
Prime Minister Evika SILINA (since 15 September 2023)
most recent election date:
31 May 2023
election/appointment process:
president indirectly elected by Parliament for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by Parliament
expected date of next election:
2027
National holiday: Independence Day (Republic of Latvia Proclamation Day), 18 November (1918)
note: 18 November 1918 was the date Latvia established its statehood and independence from Soviet Russia; 4 May 1990 was the date it declared the restoration of statehood and independence from the Soviet Union
National color(s): maroon, white
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites:
3 (all cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales:
Historic Center of Riga; Struve Geodetic Arc; Old town of Kuldīga
Political parties: For Stability or S!
For Latvia's Development or LA
Harmony or S
Honor to Serve Riga! or GKR
Latvia First or LPV
National Alliance or NA
New Unity or JV
People. Land. Statehood. or TZV
The Progressives or PRO
Union of Greens and Farmers or ZZS
United List or AS
We for Talsi and Municipality or MTuN
Legislative branch: term in office:
4 years
number of seats:
100 (all directly elected)
electoral system:
proportional representation
legislature name:
Parliament (Saeima)
scope of elections:
full renewal
legislative structure:
unicameral
most recent election date:
10/1/2022
expected date of next election:
October 2026
percentage of women in chamber:
31%
parties elected and seats per party:
New Unity (VIENOTIBA) (26); Union of Farmers and Greens (ZZS) (16); United List - Latvian Green Party, Latvian Regional Alliance, Liepāja Party (15); National Alliance of All for Latvia!" - "For Fatherland and Freedom / LNNK" (NA) (13); For Stability! (11); Progressives (10); Latvia First (9)
National anthem(s): title:
"Dievs, sveti Latviju!" (God Bless Latvia)
history:
adopted 1920, restored 1990; first performed in 1873 when Latvia was part of Russia; banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990
lyrics/music:
Karlis BAUMANIS
National symbol(s): white wagtail (bird)
Administrative divisions: 36 municipalities (novadi, singular - novads) and 7 state cities (valstpilsetu pasvaldibas, singular - valstspilsetas pasvaldiba)

municipalities: Adazi, Aizkraukle, Aluksne, Augsdaugava, Balvi, Bauska, Cesis, Dienvidkurzeme, Dobele, Gulbene, Jekabpils, Jelgava, Kekava, Kraslava, Kuldiga, Limbazi, Livani, Ludza, Madona, Marupe, Ogre, Olaine, Preili, Rezekne, Ropazi, Salaspils, Saldus, Saulkrasti, Sigulda, Smiltene, Talsi, Tukums, Valka, Valmiera, Varaklani, Ventspils

cities: Daugavpils, Jelgava, Jurmala, Liepaja, Rezekne, Riga, Ventspils
Diplomatic representation in the US: FAX:
[1] (202) 328-2860
chancery:
2306 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
[1] (202) 328-2840
chief of mission:
Ambassador Elita KUZMA (since 18 September 2024)
email address and website:

embassy.usa@mfa.gov.lv

https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/usa
Diplomatic representation from the US: FAX:
[371] 6710-7050
embassy:
1 Samnera Velsa Street (former Remtes), Riga LV-1510
telephone:
[371] 6710-7000
mailing address:
4520 Riga Place, Washington DC 20521-4520
chief of mission:
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Julia JACOBY (since December 2025)
email address and website:

askconsular-riga@state.gov

https://lv.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation: Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, 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, UNHCR, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Communications

Internet users: percent of population:
92% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media: several national and regional commercial TV stations are foreign-owned, 2 national TV stations are publicly owned; system supplemented by privately owned regional and local TV stations; cable and satellite multi-channel TV services with domestic and foreign broadcasts available; publicly owned broadcaster operates 4 radio networks with dozens of stations; dozens of private broadcasters also operate radio stations
Internet country code: .lv
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions:
142,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
8 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions:
2.27 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
121 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total:
489,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
26 (2023 est.)

Transportation

Ports: large:
1
small:
0
medium:
2
key ports:
Lielupe, Liepaja, Riga, Salacgriva, Ventspils
very small:
2
total ports:
5 (2024)
ports with oil terminals:
3
Airports: 55 (2025)
Railways: total:
2,216 km (2020) 257 km electrified
Heliports: 5 (2025)
Merchant marine: total:
83 (2023)
by type:
container ship 2, general cargo 30, oil tanker 10, other 41
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: YL

Geography

Area: land:
62,249 sq km
water:
2,340 sq km
total :
64,589 sq km
Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters
Terrain: low plain
Land use: other:
12.8% (2023 est.)
forest:
55.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land:
31.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land:
arable land: 21.9% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops:
permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture:
permanent pasture: 9.7% (2023 est.)
Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
Coastline: 498 km
Elevation: lowest point:
Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point:
Gaizina Kalns 312 m
mean elevation:
87 m
Irrigated land: 6 sq km (2016)
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
Map references: Europe
Land boundaries: total:
1,370 km
border countries:
Belarus 161 km; Estonia 333 km; Lithuania 544 km; Russia 332 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea:
12 nm
continental shelf:
200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone:
limits as agreed to by Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Russia
Natural hazards: large percentage of agricultural fields can become waterlogged and require drainage
Geography - note: most of the country is composed of fertile low-lying plains with some hills in the east
Natural resources: peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, timber, arable land
Area - comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia
Geographic coordinates: 57 00 N, 25 00 E
Population distribution: largest concentration of people is found in and around the port and capital city of Riga; small agglomerations are scattered throughout the country

Environment

Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters
Land use: other:
12.8% (2023 est.)
forest:
55.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land:
31.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land:
arable land: 21.9% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops:
permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture:
permanent pasture: 9.7% (2023 est.)
Urbanization: urban population:
68.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization:
-0.68% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually:
839,700 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled:
31.3% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues: some soil, water, and air pollution
Total water withdrawal: municipal:
91.945 million cubic meters (2022)
industrial:
30.291 million cubic meters (2022)
agricultural:
50.098 million cubic meters (2022)
Carbon dioxide emissions: total emissions:
6.427 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas:
1.526 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke:
41,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids:
4.861 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions: 15.6 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 34.94 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements: party to:
Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements

Military and Security

Military - note: the National Armed Forces are responsible for the defense of the country’s sovereignty and territory; they also have some domestic security responsibilities, including coast guard functions, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, and providing support to other internal security services; the Military Police provides protection to the president and other government officials, foreign dignitaries, and key facilities; Latvia’s primary external security focus is Russia

in 2004, Latvia joined NATO and the EU, both of which it depends on to play a decisive role in Latvia’s security policy; the Latvian military has participated in EU and NATO missions abroad and regularly conducts training and exercises with EU and NATO partner forces; Latvia also hosts NATO partner forces; since 2017, it has hosted a Canadian-led multinational NATO ground force battlegroup as part of the Alliance’s Enhanced Forward Presence initiative; in addition, NATO has provided air protection for Latvia since 2004 through its Baltics Air Policing mission

Latvia is a member of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, a pool of high-readiness military forces from 10 Baltic and Scandinavian countries designed to respond to a wide range of contingencies in the North Atlantic, Baltic Sea, and High North regions (2025)
Military deployments: 140 Kosovo (KFOR/NATO) (2025)
Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2021:
2.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022:
2.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023:
3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024:
3.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures 2025:
3.7% of GDP (2025 est.)
Military and security forces: National Armed Forces (Nacionalie Brunotie Speki or NBS): Land Forces (Latvijas Sauszemes Speki), Naval Force (Latvijas Juras Speki, includes Coast Guard (Latvijas Kara Flote)), Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa Speki), National Guard (aka Land Guard or Zemessardze)

Ministry of Interior: State Police, State Border Guards, State Security Service (2025)
note: the State Border Guard may become part of the armed forces during an emergency
Military service age and obligation: mandatory military service for all men 18-24; men and women 18-27 may volunteer for military service; service length 11 months in the Armed Forces or National Guard, or 5 years in the National Guard as a whole, with a minimum of 21 days of individual training and a maximum of 7 days of collective training each year (2026)
note 1: conscription was reintroduced in 2024

note 2: as of 2024, women comprised about 16.5% of the military's full-time personnel
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Latvian military's inventory consists of European and US armaments (2025)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 9,000 active-duty military personnel (2025)

Transnational Issues

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees:
49,483 (2024 est.)
stateless persons:
173,891 (2024 est.)

Source: CIA World Factbook (public domain).

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