Statistical information Latvia 1999

Latvia in the World
top of pageBackground: Along with most of the other small nations of Europe, Latvia shares a history of invasion by a succession of expansionist nations, e.g., Sweden, Poland, Germany, and Russia. After a brief period of independence between the two World Wars, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940 under the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. The USSR recaptured Latvia from its German occupiers in 1944. Latvia reestablished its independence in August 1991, a few months prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union; the last Russian troops left in 1994. The status of ethnic Russians, who make up 30% of the population, is an issue of concern to Moscow. Unemployment has become a growing problem and Latvia hopes to receive an invitation to begin EU accession talks by the end of 1999.
top of pageLocation: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
Geographic coordinates: 57 00 N, 25 00 E
Map reference:
EuropeAreaTotal: 64,589 km²
Land: 64,589 km²
Water: 0 km²
Comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundariesTotal: 1,150 km
Border countries: (4) Belarus 141 km;
, Estonia 339 km;
, Lithuania 453 km;
, Russia 217 kmCoastline: 531 km
Maritime claimsContinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters
Terrain: low plain
ElevationExtremes lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
Extremes highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m
Natural resources: minimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomite
Land useArable land: 27%
Permanent crops: 0%
Permanent pastures: 13%
Forests and woodland: 46%
Other: 14% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 160 km² (1993 est.)
Major riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazards: NA
Geographytop of pagePopulation: 2,353,874 (July 1999 est.)
Growth rate: -1.25% (1999 est.)
Below poverty line: NA%
NationalityNoun: Latvian(s)
Adjective: Latvian
Ethnic groups: Latvian 56.5%, Russian 30.4%, Byelorussian 4.3%, Ukrainian 2.8%, Polish 2.6%, other 3.4%
Languages: Lettish (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other
Religions: Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
Demographic profileAge structure0-14 years: 18% (male 216,369; female 207,242)
15-64 years: 67% (male 749,396; female 825,988)
65 years and over: 15% (male 114,038; female 240,841) (1999 est.)
Dependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rate: -1.25% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 8.1 births/1000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 15.82 deaths/1000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -4.75 migrant(s)/1000 population (1999 est.)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: air and water pollution because of a lack of waste conversion equipment; Gulf of Riga and Daugava River heavily polluted; contamination of soil and groundwater with chemicals and petroleum products at military bases
International agreements party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
International agreements signed but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Air pollutantsSex ratioAt birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
Under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.47 male(s)/female
Total population: 0.85 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Mothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: 17.19 deaths/1000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birthTotal population: 67.3 years
Male: 61.24 years
Female: 73.66 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.18 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracyDefinition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 100%
Male: 100%
Female: 99% (1989 est.)
School life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry nameConventional 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: Riga
Administrative divisions: 26 counties (singular_rajons) and 7 municipalities*:Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Leipaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons
Dependent areasIndependence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 18 November (1918)
Constitution: the 1991 Constitutional Law which supplements the 1922 constitution, provides for basic rights and freedoms
Legal system: based on civil law system
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: 18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens
Executive branchChief of state: President Guntis ULMANIS (since 7 July 1993)
Head of government: Prime Minister Vilis KRISTOPANS (since 21 November 1998)
Cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the Parliament
Elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term (amended from a three-year term on 4 December 1997); election last held 18 June 1996 (next to be held by NA June/July 1999); prime minister appointed by the president
Election results: Guntis ULMANIS elected president in the first round of balloting; percent of parliamentary vote_Guntis ULMANIS 53%, Ilga KREITUSE 25%
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms_amended from three-year term on 4 December 1997)
Elections: last held 3 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2002)
Election results: percent of vote by party_People's Party 21%, LC 18%, TSP 14%, TVB/LNNK 14%, Social Democrats 13%, New Party 8%; seats by party_People's Party 24, LC 21, TSP 16, TVB/LNNK 17, Social Democrats 14, New Party 8
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament
Political parties and leadersInternational organization participation: BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representationIn the us chief of mission: Ambassador Ojars Eriks KALNINS
In the us chancery: 4,325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20,011
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 726-8,213, 8,214
In the us FAX: [1] (202) 726-6,785
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador James H. HOLMES
From the us embassy: Raina Boulevard 7, LV-1510, Riga
From the us mailing address: American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 9,723
From the us telephone: [371] 721-0005
From the us FAX: [371] 782-0047
Flag description
: three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy overview: Developments in 1998 include an invitation to join the World Trade Organization (the first Baltic country invited), GDP growth of 3.6% (down from 6% in 1997), and reduced inflation at 4.7% (from 8.4% in 1997). The drop in GDP growth is largely attributable to the impact of Russia's financial crisis and reduced investment in emerging markets following the Asian financial troubles. Unofficial sanctions that Russia imposed in the spring initially hit Latvia's exporters_Russia is among Latvia's top three trade partners_but also prompted them to seek alternative markets. Latvia continued its strict fiscal and monetary policy, including its second balanced budget and had a 1.8% budget surplus. Its draft 1999 budget is based on conservative projections of 2% to 4% GDP growth and 4.5% inflation. Unemployment climbed to 9.2% in 1998, a considerable increase over the 6.7% rate in 1997. Latvia continued to have a high current account deficit, estimated at about 9%. Privatization of large state utilities_especially the energy sector_was postponed and is unlikely to resume before late 1999. EU accession remains Latvia's top priority, and Latvia expects to be invited to start EU accession talks by the end of 1999. Continued troubles in the Russian and East Asian economies probably will hold growth to around 2.5% in 1999.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rate: 3.6% (1998 est.)
Real gdp per capita: purchasing power parity: $4,100 (1998 est.)
Gross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture: 7%
Industry: 28%
Services: 65% (1997)
Agriculture products: grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish
Industries: buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; dependent on imports for energy, raw materials, and intermediate products
Industrial production growth rate: 3% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 1.4 million (1997)
By occupation industry: 41%
By occupation agriculture and forestry: 16%
By occupation services: 43% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 9.2% (1998)
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty line: NA%
Gini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudgetRevenues: $1.33 billion
Expenditures: $1.27 billion, including capital expenditures of $N/A (1998 est.)
Taxes and other revenuesPublic debtRevenueFiscal year: calendar year
Inflation rate consumer pricesCentral bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExports: $1.9 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Commodities: wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, textiles, foodstuffs
Partners: Russia 21%, Germany 14%, UK 14%, Sweden 8% (1997)
Imports: $3.1 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Commodities: fuels, machinery and equipment, chemicals
Partners: Russia 16%, Germany 16%, Finland 10%, Sweden 8% (1997)
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: $212 million (1998)
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: lats (LVL) per US$1_0.570 (January 1999), 0.590 (1998), 0.581 (1997), 0.551 (1996), 0.528 (1995), 0.560 (1994)
top of pageElectricityProduction: 3.2 billion kWh (1996)
Production by source fossil fuel: 28.12%
Production by source hydro: 71.88%
Production by source nuclear: 0%
Production by source other: 0% (1996)
Consumption: 6.18 billion kWh (1996)
Exports: 300 million kWh (1996)
Imports: 3.28 billion kWh (1996)
CoalPetroleumCrude oilRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephones: 710,848 (1997)
Telephone system: Lattelekom is 51% state owned, plans to privatize in 2000 to satisfy EU concerns; 50,000 people are on the waiting list to receive telephone service; Internet service is available throughout Latvia
Domestic: local_two cellular service providers; NMT-450 and GSM standards provide service nationwide; over 75% of population covered; intercity_two synchronous digital hierarchy fiber-optic rings form the national backbone; 11 digital switching centers, 3 service centers
International: Latvia has international fiber-optic connectivity to Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, and an undersea fiber-optic cable to Sweden
Broadcast mediaInternetBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresDollar figure: $60 million (1999)
Percent of gdp: 0.9% (1999)
Military and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 50 (1994 est.)
With paved runways total: 36
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 6
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 2
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 1
With paved runways under 914 m: 27 (1994 est.)
With unpaved runways total: 14
With unpaved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 2
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 2
With unpaved runways under 914 m: 10 (1994 est.)
HeliportsPipelines: crude oil 750 km; refined products 780 km; natural gas 560 km (1992)
RailwaysTotal: 2,412 km
Broad gauge: 2,379 km 1.520-m gauge (271 km electrified) (1992)
Narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (1994)
RoadwaysWaterways: 300 km perennially navigable
Merchant marineTotal: 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 42,429 GRT/44,583 DWT
Ships by type: cargo 3, oil tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1998 est.)
Ports and terminalsLatvia - Transnational issues 1999
top of pageDisputes international: draft treaty delimiting the boundary with Russia has not been signed; ongoing talks over maritime boundary dispute with Lithuania (primary concern is oil exploration rights)
Refugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs: transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe and Scandinavia and Latin American cocaine and some synthetics from Western Europe to CIS; limited production of illicit amphetamines, ephedrine, and ecstasy for export