CapitalRiga
Population1,888,439
Area64,589 km²
GDP per capita$38,900
LanguagesLatvian, Russian, other , unspecified
Currencyeuros
Life Expectancy76.4 yr
Governmenta parliamentary republic
Introduction
Background
In the medieval era, various eastern Baltic tribes coalesced to create the ethnic foundation of the Latvian populace (approximately 8th-12th centuries A.D.). Subsequently, the area came under the dominion of Germans, Poles, Swedes, and ultimately Russians. Following World War I, a Latvian republic was established; however, it was annexed by the USSR in 1940 — a move that has never been acknowledged by the United States and numerous other nations. Latvia regained its independence in 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian forces departed in 1994, the situation regarding the Russian minority, which constitutes around 25% of the population, continues to be a matter of concern for Moscow. Latvia became a member of both NATO and the EU in 2004; it adopted the euro in 2014 and joined the OECD in 2016.
Geography
Area
land
62,249 sq km
water
2,340 sq km
total
64,589 sq km
Climate
maritime; characterized by wet conditions and 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, situated along 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)
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
boundaries established by Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Russia
Natural hazards
a significant portion of agricultural lands may become saturated with water, necessitating drainage solutions
Geography - note
the majority of the nation consists of fertile lowlands, interspersed with some hills in the eastern region
Natural resources
peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, timber, arable land
Area - comparative
slightly greater in size than West Virginia
Geographic coordinates
57 00 N, 25 00 E
Population distribution
the highest population density is located in and around the capital city and port of Riga; smaller urban clusters are distributed across the nation
People & Society
Languages
Languages
Latvian (official) 56.3%, Russian 33.8%, other 0.6% (comprising 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.
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
the highest density of population is located in and around the capital city and port of Riga; smaller clusters are distributed throughout the nation
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.)
Environment
Climate
oceanic; damp, temperate 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
various forms of soil, water, and air contamination
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
Government
Flag
description: consists of three horizontal stripes in maroon (top), white (middle, half-width), and maroon
history: the flag ranks among the world's oldest, as a medieval record indicates that Latvian tribes utilized a red banner with a white stripe around 1280
Capital
name
Riga
etymology
the etymology of the name remains uncertain; it might originate from the Old Lithuanian term ringa, which translates to "bend" or "curve," alluding to the city’s position along the Western Dvina River; alternatively, it could derive from the Latvian word ridzina, meaning "stream"
time difference
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, commencing on the last Sunday of March and concluding on the last Sunday of 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 prior constitutions (pre-1991 independence); following the restoration of independence in 1991, elements of the 1922 constitution were reinstated on 4 May 1990 and entirely restored on 6 July 1993
amendment process
can be proposed by two-thirds of Parliament members or by a petition from one-tenth of eligible voters submitted through the president; for passage, a two-thirds majority vote in Parliament is required across three readings; amendments to constitutional articles, including those pertaining to national sovereignty, language, the parliamentary electoral system, and the procedures for amending the constitution, necessitate approval through a referendum by a simple majority of at least half of the electorate
Country name
former
Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic (while occupied by the USSR)
etymology
the name is derived from the Latgalians, one of the four eastern Baltic tribes that constituted the ethnic foundation of the Latvian populace (circa 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 independence from the Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)
Legal system
a civil law system with influences from socialist legal traditions and practices
Government type
a parliamentary republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (comprising the Senate with 36 judges); Constitutional Court (comprising 7 judges)
subordinate courts
district (city) and regional courts
judge selection and term of office
judges of the Supreme Court are nominated by the chief justice and confirmed by the Saeima; they serve until the age of 70, with the possibility of a two-year extension; judges of the Constitutional Court - 3 nominated by Saeima members, 2 by Cabinet ministers, and 2 by the plenum of the Supreme Court; all judges require confirmation by a majority vote from the Saeima; the president and vice president of the Constitutional Court hold their roles for three years; all judges are appointed for ten-year terms, with mandatory retirement at age 70
Executive branch
cabinet
the Cabinet of Ministers is nominated by the prime minister and 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
the president is indirectly elected by Parliament for a term of four years (eligible for a second term); the prime minister is appointed by the president and confirmed by Parliament
expected date of next election
2027
National holiday
Independence Day (Republic of Latvia Proclamation Day), 18 November (1918)
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 in 1920, restored in 1990; first performed in 1873 when Latvia was under Russian rule; prohibited 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
[email protected]
https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/usa
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[371] 6710-7050
embassy
1 Samnera Velsa Street (formerly Remtes), Riga LV-1510
telephone
[371] 6710-7000
mailing address
4520 Riga Place, Washington DC 20521-4520
chief of mission
Ambassador (position currently vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Julia JACOBY (since December 2025)
email address and website
[email protected]
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 issued a declaration of ICJ jurisdiction; accepts the jurisdiction of the ICCt
Economy
Budget
revenues
$14.58 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures
$15.432 billion (2023 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$29.364 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$28.294 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$28.117 billion (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$31.206 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$29.875 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$29.234 billion (2024 est.)
Industries
processed foods, processed wood products, textiles, processed metals, pharmaceuticals, railroad cars, synthetic fibers, electronics
Labor force
954,900 (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2017
36.3% of GDP (2017 est.)
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.)
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; experiencing a sluggish recovery after economic downturn, with a modest rise in private consumption amidst an uncertain trade landscape; facing issues such as skilled labor shortages, access to capital markets, a significant informal sector, and the transitions to green and digital economies
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
6.9% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
6.5% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
6.8% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
Lithuania 19%, Estonia 6%, Russia 6%, Germany 6%, Sweden 5% (2023)
Imports - partners
Lithuania 18%, Germany 11%, Poland 10%, Estonia 8%, Finland 5% (2023)
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.)
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.)
Agricultural products
wheat, milk, rapeseed, barley, oats, potatoes, rye, beans, peas, chicken (2023)
Exports - commodities
wood, wheat, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicine, natural gas (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, packaged medicine, broadcasting equipment, natural gas (2023)
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.)
Taxes and other revenues
16.7% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$43.521 billion (2024 est.)
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.)
Population below poverty line
22.5% (2022 est.)
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.)
Industrial production growth rate
-4% (2024 est.)
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.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
13% (2024 est.)
total
12.5% (2024 est.)
female
11.9% (2024 est.)
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.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
19.9% (2024 est.)
services
63.1% (2024 est.)
agriculture
4.1% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
2.6% (2022 est.)
highest 10%
25.8% (2022 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2022
33.7 (2022 est.)
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.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
92% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
numerous national and regional commercial television channels are owned by foreign entities, while 2 national television channels are state-owned; this system is enhanced by privately operated regional and local television channels; access to multi-channel television services via cable and satellite includes both domestic and international programming; the publicly owned broadcasting entity manages 4 radio networks comprising numerous stations; in addition, many private entities also run 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 vessel 2, general cargo ship 30, petroleum tanker 10, miscellaneous 41
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
YL
Military & Security
Military - note
The National Armed Forces are tasked with safeguarding the nation's sovereignty and territory; they also undertake various domestic security duties, such as coast guard operations, search and rescue missions, humanitarian aid, and providing assistance to other internal security agencies. The Military Police is responsible for the protection of the president, government officials, foreign dignitaries, and critical infrastructure. Latvia’s primary external security concern is Russia.
In 2004, Latvia became a member of both NATO and the EU, institutions upon which it relies significantly to shape its security strategy. The Latvian military has engaged in EU and NATO missions overseas and routinely participates in training and exercises alongside EU and NATO allied forces. Additionally, Latvia hosts NATO allied forces; since 2017, it has accommodated a Canadian-led multinational NATO ground force battlegroup as part of the Alliance’s Enhanced Forward Presence initiative. Furthermore, NATO has been providing air defense for Latvia since 2004 through its Baltic Air Policing mission.
Latvia is also a participant in the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, which consists of a collection of high-readiness military units from ten Baltic and Scandinavian nations, aimed at responding to a variety of situations 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, which includes the Coast Guard (Latvijas Kara Flote)), Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa Speki), National Guard (also known as Land Guard or Zemessardze)
Ministry of Interior: State Police, State Border Guards, State Security Service (2025).
Military service age and obligation
Mandatory military service is required for all men aged 18 to 24; both men and women aged 18 to 27 may volunteer for military service. The duration of service is 11 months in the Armed Forces or National Guard, or up to 5 years in the National Guard overall, which includes a minimum of 21 days of individual training and a maximum of 7 days of collective training each year (2026).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The inventory of the Latvian military includes armaments from European and US manufacturers (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
The active-duty military personnel count is approximately 9,000 (2025).
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees
49,483 (2024 est.)
stateless persons
173,891 (2024 est.)
