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Latvia: country overview

25 June 2012
by Ina Dimireva -- last modified 25 January 2017

Latvia regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The country acceded to both the EU and NATO in the spring of 2004; it joined the eurozone in 2014. The most important sectors of Latvia's economy in 2015 were wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services (25.2 %), industry (16.4 %) and public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (15.7 %). Latvia's main export partners are Lithuania, Russia and Estonia, while its main import partners are Lithuania, Germany and Poland.


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Latvian flag

Capital: Riga

Geographical size: 64 573 km2

Population: 1 986 096 (2015)

Population as % of total EU: 0.4 % (2015)

Gross domestic product (GDP): € 24.378 billion (2015)

Official EU language(s): Latvian

Political system: parliamentary republic

EU member country since: 1 May 2004

Seats in the European Parliament: 8

Currency: Euro. Member of the eurozone since 1 January 2014

Schengen area member? Yes, Schengen Area member since 21 December 2007.

Presidency of the Council: Latvia held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU for the first time in 2015.

Map of Latvia

Country overview

Latvia regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Situated on the Baltic coast, Latvia is a low-lying country with large forests that supply timber for construction and paper industries. The environment is rich in wildlife. Latvia also produces consumer goods, textiles and machine tools. The country attracts tourists from all over Europe.

Ethnically, the population is 59% Latvian and 29% Russian, and more than a third live in the capital Riga. Founded in 1201, Riga is the largest city in the three Baltic states with a population of 730 000. Its Freedom Statue is one of the highest monuments in Europe, at 43 metres.

The 100-seat unicameral Latvian Parliament, the Saeima, is elected by direct, popular vote every four years. The president is elected by the Parliament, also every four years.

Among the best-known Latvians are the expressionist painter Mark Rothko and the contemporary composer Peteris Vasks.

Characteristic specialities of Latvian cuisine are spekapiradzini (bacon pies) and a refreshing, cold sour cream soup.

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 2011-14.

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 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 joined the euro zone in 2014.

Useful links

The Commission's Representation in Latvia

European Parliament office in Latvia

Latvian Government

Tourist information

Source: Your Europe, European Commission, CIA - The World Factbook

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