Latvia

Latvia

Introduction

Background

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 30% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.

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: 28.19%
permanent crops:0.45%
other:71.36% (2005)

Irrigated land

8 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 (2008)

Total renewable water resources

49.9 cu km (2005)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.25cu km/yr (55%/33%/12%)
per capita:108cu m/yr (2003)

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 and Society

Nationality

noun: Latvian(s)
adjective:Latvian

Ethnic groups

Latvian 59.3%, Russian 27.8%, Belarusian 3.6%, Ukrainian 2.5%, Polish 2.4%, Lithuanian 1.3%, other 3.1% (2009)

Languages

Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3% (2000 census)

Religions

Lutheran 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, other Christian 1%, other 0.4%, unspecified 63.7% (2006)

Population

2,204,708 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142

Age structure

0-14 years: 13.5% (male 152,706/female 145,756)
15-64 years:69.5% (male 747,044/female 785,521)
65 years and over:16.9% (male 121,570/female 252,111) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 40.6 years
male:37.6 years
female:43.7 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.597% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 223

Birth rate

9.96 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193

Death rate

13.6 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18

Net migration rate

-2.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170

Urbanization

urban population: 68% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:-0.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

RIGA (capital) 711,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.054 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years:0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.48 male(s)/female
total population:0.86 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

20 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 125

Infant mortality rate

total: 8.42 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 159 male:10.2 deaths/1,000 live births
female:6.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 72.68 years
country comparison to the world: 122 male:67.56 years
female:78.07 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.32 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206

Health expenditures

8.1% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 56

Physicians density

2.988 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
country comparison to the world: 40

Hospital bed density

6.42 beds/1,000 population (2009)
country comparison to the world: 22

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 96% of population
total: 99% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 4% of population
total: 1% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 82% of population
rural: 71% of population
total: 78% of population
unimproved:
urban: 18% of population
rural: 29% of population
total: 22% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.7% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

8,600 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105

HIV/AIDS – deaths

fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases:bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases:tickborne encephalitis (2009)

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

15.6% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 35

Education expenditures

5% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 57

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:99.7%
male:99.8%
female:99.7% (2000 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 15 years
male:14 years
female:17 years (2008)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 33.8%
country comparison to the world: 12 male:38.3%
female:27.9% (2009)

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

109 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, Juanpiebalgas 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, 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

15 February 1922

restored to force by the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Latvia adopted by the Supreme Council 21 August 1991

multiple amendments since

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 Valdis DOMBROVSKIS (since 12 March 2009)
cabinet:Cabinet of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by Parliament
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) 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 September 2015)
election results:percent of vote by party – SC 28.4%, Zatlers 20.8%, Unity 18.8%, National Alliance 13.9%, ZZS 12.2%

seats by party – SC 31, Zatlers 22, Unity 20, National Alliance 14, ZZS 13

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (judges’ appointments are confirmed by parliament)

Constitutional Court (judges’ appointments are confirmed by parliament)

Political parties and leaders

All For Latvia! [Irnants PARADNIEKS, Raivis DZINTARS]

Civic Union [Sandra KALNIETE, Girts Valdis KRISTOVSKIS]

First Party of Latvia/Latvia’s Way or LPP/LC [Ainars SLESERS]

For Human Rights in a United Latvia or PCTVL [Jakovs PLINERS, Tatjana ZDANOKA]

For the Fatherland and Freedom/Latvian National Independence Movement or TB/LNNK [Roberts ZILE, Maris GRINBLATS]

Harmony Center or SC [Nils USAKOVS, Janis URBANOVICS]

National Alliance (alliance of TB/LNNK, All For Latvia!) [Gaidis BERZINS, Raivis DZINTARS]

New Era Party or JL [Solvita ABOLTINA, Dzintars ZAKIS]

Society for Different Politics or SCP [Aigars STOKENBERGS

Artis PABRIKS]

The Union of Latvian Greens and Farmers Party or ZZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS]

Unity [Solvita ABOLTINA]

Zatlers’ Reform Party [Valdis ZATLERS]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia [Peteris KRIGERS], Employers’ Confederation of Latvia [Elina EGLE], Farmers’ Parliament [Juris LAZDINS]

International organization participation

Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, 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 Andrejs PILDEGOVICS
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 Judith G. GARBER
embassy:7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510
mailing address:American Embassy Riga, US Department of State, 4520 Riga Place, Washington, DC 20520-4520
telephone:[371] 670-36200
FAX:[371] 678-20047

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)
lyrics/music:Karlis BAUMANIS
note:adopted 1920, restored 1990

the song was first performed in 1873 while Latvia was a part of Russia

the anthem was banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990

Economy

Economy – overview

Latvia is a small, open economy with exports contributing significantly to its 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 electronic devices. The bulk of the country’s economic activity, however, is in the services sector. Corruption continues to be an impediment to attracting FDI flows 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. GDP plunged 18% in 2009 – the three Baltic states had the world’s worst declines that year. Thanks to strong export growth in 2009 and 2010, the economy experienced its first real quarterly GDP growth in over two years (2.9%) in the third quarter of 2010. 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. This agreement calls for reduction of Latvia’s fiscal deficit to below 3% of GDP by 2012, in order to meet the Maastricht Treaty criteria for euro adoption. DOMBROVSKIS’ government enacted major spending cuts to reduce the fiscal deficit to a maximum of 8.5% of GDP in 2010, and Latvia has approved a 2011 budget with a projected deficit of 5.4% of GDP. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February, 1999. EU membership, a top foreign policy goal, came in May 2004. Latvia’s current major financial policy goal, entrance into the euro zone, is targeted for 2014.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$32.51 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106 $32.62 billion (2009 est.)
$39.76 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$24.05 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

-0.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192 -18% (2009 est.)
-4.2% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$14,700 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77 $14,600 (2009 est.)
$17,700 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 4%
industry:21.7%
services:74.4% (2010 est.)

Labor force

1.178 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 12.1%
industry:25.8%
services:61.8% (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate

18.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161 17.1% (2009 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

35.7 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 89 32 (1999)

Investment (gross fixed)

18% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145

Budget

revenues: $8.471 billion
expenditures:$10.31 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

35.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-7.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183

Public debt

44.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61 36.7% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-1.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5 3.5% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 65 6% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.56% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38 16.23% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$7.186 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78 $6.092 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$12.28 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96 $11.85 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$26.03 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72 $28.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.252 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 97 $1.824 billion (31 December 2009)
$1.609 billion (31 December 2008)

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

14.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11

Electricity – production

5.114 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114

Electricity – consumption

6.836 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101

Electricity – exports

2.605 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

1.654 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188

Oil – consumption

41,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104

Oil – exports

3,457 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109

Oil – imports

37,520 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205

Natural gas – consumption

1.56 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130

Natural gas – imports

1.56 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51

Current account balance

$871 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49 $2.283 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$8.989 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92 $7.387 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

food products, wood and wood products, metals, machinery and equipment, textiles

Exports – partners

Russia 15.2%, Lithuania 15.2%, Estonia 12.6%, Germany 8.2%, Sweden 5.9%, Poland 4.7% (2010)

Imports

$10.54 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89 $9.209 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

machinery and equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, fuels, vehicles

Imports – partners

Lithuania 16.3%, Germany 11.4%, Russia 10%, Poland 7.5%, Estonia 7%, Finland 4.8% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$7.17 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78 $6.907 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$42.07 billion (30 June 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62 $39.55 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$11.97 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80 $11.63 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$1.011 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74 $996.8 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

lati (LVL) per US dollar -
0.5422 (2010)
0.5056 (2009)
0.4701 (2008)
0.5162 (2007)
0.5597 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

42 (2010)
country comparison to the world:101

Airports – with paved runways

total: 19
over 3,047 m:1
2,438 to 3,047 m:3
1,524 to 2,437 m:5
914 to 1,523 m:3
under 914 m:7 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 23
under 914 m:23 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 948 km

refined products 415 km (2010)

Railways

total: 2,239 km
country comparison to the world: 67 broad gauge:2,206 km 1.520-m gauge
narrow gauge:33 km 0.750-m gauge (2010)

Roadways

total: 73,074 km
country comparison to the world: 64 paved:14,459 km
unpaved:58,615 km (2010)

Waterways

300 km (navigable year round) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 94

Merchant marine

total: 13
country comparison to the world: 108 by type:cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned:4 (Estonia 4)
registered in other countries:90 (Antigua and Barbuda 16, Belize 10, Cambodia 1, Comoros 1, Cook Islands 1, Dominica 1, Georgia 1, Liberia 9, Malta 11, Marshall Islands 18, Panama 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Riga, Ventspils

Military

Military branches

National Armed Forces (Nacionalo Brunoto Speku): Land Forces, Navy (Latvijas Juras Speki

includes Coast Guard (Latvijas Kara Flotes)), Latvian Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa Speki), Latvian Home Guard (Latvijas Zemessardze) (2011)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service

conscription abolished January 2007

under current law, every citizen is entitled to serve in the armed forces for life (2009)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 546,090
females age 16-49:540,810 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 401,691
females age 16-49:447,638 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 10,482
female:9,858 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

1.2% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

Russia demands better Latvian treatment of ethnic Russians in Latvia

boundary demarcated with Latvia and Lithuania

the Latvian parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights

as a member state that forms part of the EU’s external border, Latvia has implemented the strict Schengen border rules with Russia

Illicit drugs

transshipment and destination point for cocaine, synthetic drugs, opiates, and cannabis from Southwest Asia, Western Europe, Latin America, and neighboring Balkan countries

despite improved legislation, vulnerable to money laundering due to nascent enforcement capabilities and comparatively weak regulation of offshore companies and the gaming industry

CIS organized crime (including counterfeiting, corruption, extortion, stolen cars, and prostitution) accounts for most laundered proceeds