Latvia: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Latvia — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
1,926,542
#147 of 197 countries
Area
64,589 km²
#126 of 248 countries
Density
29.8 / km²
#187 of 245 countries

Latvia has a population of 1,926,542 spread across 64,589 km², giving it an average density of 29.8 people per km².

Demographics

Median Age
43.8
Life Expectancy
76.4 yrs
Government
parliamentary republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Latvia is classified as a high income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 53% of US levels, meaning costs are moderate and most travellers will find it reasonably affordable.

Income Level
High income
GDP per Capita
$22,710
Cost of Living
53% of US
Inflation
8.9%
Inequality
33.7
Moderate
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$38,900
Unemployment
6.8%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 7.3% of Latvia's total exports, making it a significant contributor to the economy with solid visitor infrastructure.

Tourism % of Exports
7.3%
Outbound Tourists
690,000
Air Passengers
4,475,904
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Latvia has 3.4 physicians per 1,000 people, above the global average, indicating strong healthcare infrastructure.

Physicians
3.4/1k
Hospital Beds
4.95/1k
Health Spend
$1645/person
Infant Mortality
2.5/1k
Immunization
98%
Safe Drinking Water
98.8%
Basic Sanitation
92.5%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Latvia, 92% of the population uses the internet — expect widely available WiFi in hotels, cafes, and public spaces. There are 120 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
92.2%
Mobile Subs
120/100
Broadband
26.0/100
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data