People & economy

Latvia: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

The numbers behind a trip to Latvia: who lives there, how the economy and prices compare, how many tourists visit, and what healthcare and internet access are like.

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 In Latvia there are 3.4 doctors 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, so expect WiFi in most 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