Moving to Latvia: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

1,881,232

Population Growth Rate

-0.61%

Urban Population

67.700000

Population in Major Urban Areas

RIGA (capital) 701,000

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Age Structure

15.010000

Median Age

41.200000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

10

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

13.6

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

1.34

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

67.8%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

67.8%

Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49)

26.4

Mother's mean age at first birth

26.4

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.050000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

-2.36

Ethnic Groups

Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% (2002)

Language Note

Latvian (official) 56.3%, Russian 33.8%, other 0.6% (includes Polish, Ukrainian, and Belarusian), unspecified 9.4%; note - data represent language usually spoken at home.

Nationality Noun

Latvian(s)

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Literacy - total population

99.7%

Literacy - male

99.8%

Literacy - female

99.8%

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

5%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

16.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

73.190000

Infant Mortality Rate

8.080000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

8.080000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

34

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

2.9

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

5.3

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

6.7%

Major Infectious Diseases - degree of risk

intermediate

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

24.9%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

99.600000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

82.100000

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Economic Overview

Latvia is a small, open economy with exports contributing more than half 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 slowing world economy.

Triggered by the collapse of the second largest bank, GDP plunged by more than 14% in 2009 and, despite strong growth since 2011, the economy took until 2017 return to pre-crisis levels in real terms.

Strong investment and consumption, the latter stoked by rising wages, helped the economy grow by more than 4% in 2017, while inflation rose to 3%.

Continued gains in competitiveness and investment will be key to maintaining economic growth, especially in light of unfavorable demographic trends, including the emigration of skilled workers, and one of the highest levels of income inequality in the EU.

In the wake of the 2008-09 crisis, 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, although, the austerity measures imposed large social costs.

The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises, including 80% ownership of the Latvian national airline.

Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999 and the EU in May 2004.

Latvia also joined the euro zone in 2014 and the OECD in 2016.

Industries

buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; note - dependent on imports for energy and raw materials

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$24,500.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

2.2%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$56,920,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$24,500.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

2.2%

GDP - official exchange rate

$27,820,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 62% government
• consumption: 17.4% investment in fixed
• capital: 23.3% investment in
• inventories: 0.8% exports of goods and
• services: 68% imports of goods and
• services: -71.5%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

3.4%

GDP by Sector- Industry

23.2%

GDP by Sector- services

73.4%

Industrial Growth Rate

-1.8%

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Inflation Rate

-1.2%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

Latvian lat (LVL)

Currency Name and Code

Euro (EUR)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

5%

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Labor Force

1,178,000

Unemployment Rate

14.3%

Major Industries

buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; note - dependent on imports for energy and raw materials

Agriculture Products

• grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables
• beef, pork, milk, eggs
• fish

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

8.8%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

24%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

67.2%

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Annual Budget

$8,028,000,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

12%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-0.2%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

35.9%

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Full Country Name

Republic of Latvia

Country Name

Latvia

Local - Long

Latvijas Republika

Local - Short

Latvija

Former Name

Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic (while occupied by the USSR)

Etymology- history of name

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.)

Independence

• 18 November 1918 (from Soviet Russia)
• 4 May 1990 (declared from the Soviet Union)
• 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)

National Holiday

• Independence Day (Republic of Latvia Proclamation Day), 18 November (1918)
• note - 18 November 1918 was the date Latvia established its statehood and its concomitant independence from Soviet Russia
• 4 May 1990 was the date it declared the restoration of Latvian statehood and its concomitant independence from the Soviet Union

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Government Type

parliamentary republic

Constitution

• history: several previous (pre-1991 independence); note - following the restoration of independence in 1991, parts of the 1922 constitution were reintroduced 4 May 1990 and fully reintroduced 6 July 1993
• amendments: proposed by two thirds of Parliament members or by petition of one tenth of qualified voters submitted through the president; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of Parliament in each of three readings; amendment of constitutional articles, including national sovereignty, language, the parliamentary electoral system, and constitutional amendment procedures, requires passage in a referendum by majority vote of at least one half of the electorate; amended several times, last in 2019

Legal System:

civil law system with traces of socialist legal traditions and practices

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President Edgars RINKEVICS (since 8 July 2023)
• head of government: Prime Minister Evika SILINA (since 15 September 2023)
• cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, appointed by Parliament
• elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by Parliament for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 31 May 2023 (next to be held in 2027); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by Parliament
• election results: 2023: Edgars RINKEVICS elected president in the third round; Parliament vote - Edgars RINKEVICS (Unity Party) 52, Uldis Pīlēns (independent) 25; Evika SILINA confirmed as prime minister 53-39 2019: Egils LEVITS elected president; Parliament vote - Egils LEVITS (independent) 61, Didzis SMITS (KPV LV) 24, Juris JANSONS (independent) 8; Krisjanis KARINS confirmed as prime minister 61-39
• note: on 15 September 2023, Parliament voted 53-39 to approve Prime Minister Evika SILINA

Legislative Branch:

• Description: unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
• Elections: last held on 1 October 2012 (next to be held no later than 3 October 2026)
• Election Results: percent of vote by party - JV 19.2%, ZZS 12.6%, AS 11.1%, NA 9.4%, S! 6.9%, LPV 6.3%, and PRO 6.2%; seats by party - JV 26, ZZS 16, AS 15, NA 13, S! 11, LPV 9, and PRO 10

Judicial Branch:

• office: Supreme Court judges nominated by chief justice and confirmed by the Saeima; judges serve until age 70, but term can be extended 2 years; Constitutional Court judges - 3 nominated by Saeima members, 2 by Cabinet ministers, and 2 by plenum of Supreme Court; all judges confirmed by Saeima majority vote; Constitutional Court president and vice president serve in their positions for 3 years; all judges serve 10-year terms; mandatory retirement at age 70
• subordinate courts: district (city) and regional courts

Regions or States:

• Summary: 36 municipalities (novadi, singular - novads) and 7 state
• cities (valstpilsetu pasvaldibas
• singular valstspilsetas pasvaldiba) municipalities: Adazi
• Aizkraukle
• Aluksne
• Augsdaugava
• Balvi
• Bauska
• Cesis
• Dienvidkurzeme
• Dobele
• Gulbene
• Jekabpils
• Jelgava
• Kekava
• Kraslava
• Kuldiga
• Limbazi
• Livani
• Ludza
• Madona
• Marupe
• Ogre
• Olaine
• Preili
• Rezekne
• Ropazi
• Salaspils
• Saldus
• Saulkrasti
• Sigulda
• Smiltene
• Talsi
• Tukums
• Valka
• Valmiera
• Varaklani
• Ventspils cities: Daugavpils
• Jelgava
• Jurmala
• Liepaja
• Rezekne
• Riga
• Ventspils

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Development/For! or AP! [Daniels PAVLUTS, Ivars IJABS]
• For Stability or S! [Aleksejs ROSLIKOVS]
• Latvia First [Ainars SLESERS]
• Latvian Green Party or LZP (Edgars TAVARS)
• National Alliance "All For Latvia!"-"For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK" or NA [Raivis DZINTARS]
• New Unity or JV [Arturs Krišjānis KARINS]
• Social Democratic Party "Harmony" or S [Janis URBANOVICS]
• The Progressives or PRO [Kaspars BRISKENS]
• Union of Greens and Farmers or ZZS [Aivars LEMBERGS]
• United List or AS [Uldis PILENS] (electoral coalition including the Latvian Green Party or LZP, Latvian Association of Regions or LRA, Liepaja Party)

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: no citizenship by descent
• only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Latvia dual citizenship
• recognized: no residency requirement for
• naturalization: 5 years

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Capital Name

Riga

Capital - geographic coordinate

56 57 N, 24 06 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight Savings Time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

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International Organization Participation:

• Australia Group
• BA
• BIS
• CBSS
• CD
• CE
• EAPC
• EBRD
• ECB
• EIB
• EMU
• ESA (cooperating state)
• EU
• FAO
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICC (NGOs)
• ICCt
• ICRM
• IDA
• IFC
• IFRCS
• IHO
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• IMSO
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM
• IPU
• ISO (correspondent)
• ITU
• ITUC (NGOs)
• MIGA
• NATO
• NIB
• NSG
• OAS (observer)
• OIF (observer)
• OPCW
• OSCE
• PCA
• Schengen Convention
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNHCR
• UNWTO
• UPU
• Wassenaar Arrangement
• WCO
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO

International Law Organization Participation:

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Christopher ROBINSON (since 21 February 2023)
• Embassy: 1 Samnera Velsa Street (former Remtes), Riga LV-1510
• Mailing Address: 4520 Riga Place, Washington DC 20521-4520
• Telephone: [371] 6710-7000
• FAX: [371] 6710-7050
• Email: askconsular-riga@state.gov
• Website: https://lv.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Maris SELGA (since 16 September 2019)
• Chancery: 2306 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
• Telephone: [1] (202) 328-2840
• FAX: [1] (202) 328-2860
• Email: embassy.usa@mfa.gov.lv
• Website: https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/usa

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Geographic Location

Europe

Geographic Coordinates

57 00 N, 25 00 E

Total Area

24,938 Square Miles 64,589 Square Kilometers

Land Area

24,034 Square Miles 62,249 Square Kilometers

Water Area

903 Square Miles 2,340 Square Kilometers

Land Boundaries

859 Miles 1,382 Kilometers

Border Countries

Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km

Coastline

309 Miles 498 Kilometers

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Terrain

low plain

Highest Point

312 Meters

Highest Point Location

Gaizinkalns 312 m

Lowest Point Location

Baltic Sea 0 m

Natural Resources

peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land

Irrigated Land

3 Square Miles 8 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

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

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Climate

Only three European countries-Estonia, Finland, and Iceland-are farther north in their entirety than Latvia, which has latitude of between 55° and 58° and a longitude of between 20° and 28°.

During most of December and January, the sun does not rise until after 9 a.m. and sets as early as 3 p.m.

On the other hand, to compensate, the longest day of summer lasts almost 18 hours.

In spite of its northern location, daytime winter temperatures average only slightly below freezing because of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf Stream.

Daytime summer temperatures average about 70°F.

The maritime climate also accounts for the country's frequent cloud cover and considerable precipitation (average per year is about 25 inches).

Terrain

low plain

Location

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania

Total Area

24,938 Square Miles 64,589 Square Kilometers

Border Countries

Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km

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, and 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

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Exports

$7,894,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$9,153,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

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

Major Imports

machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles

Top Export Partners

Germany 15.3%, UK 14.4%, Sweden 10.4%, Lithuania 8.2%, Estonia 5.9%, Russia 5.8%, Denmark 5.6%, US 4.3%

Top Import Partners

Germany 17.2%, Lithuania 9.8%, Russia 8.8%, Finland 8%, Sweden 6.4%, Estonia 6.2%, Poland 5%, Italy 4.2%

Export Partners

Germany 15.3%, UK 14.4%, Sweden 10.4%, Lithuania 8.2%, Estonia 5.9%, Russia 5.8%, Denmark 5.6%, US 4.3%

Import Partners

Germany 17.2%, Lithuania 9.8%, Russia 8.8%, Finland 8%, Sweden 6.4%, Estonia 6.2%, Poland 5%, Italy 4.2%

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Country Description

Latvia is a stable democracy and has one of the fastest growing economies in the European Union.

On January 1, 2014, Latvia is set to join the euro zone. , Most goods and services can be found in the capital of Latvia, Riga.

However, in other areas outside of the capital, many western goods and services cannot be located.

Safety & Security

Civil unrest is generally not a problem in Riga, and there have been no incidents of terrorism directed toward U.S. interests.

Incidents of anti-Americanism are rare.

Nonetheless, in the past, Riga has experienced large, peaceful demonstrations related to internal political issues.

While such events have generally been peaceful, we remind you that gatherings intended to be peaceful can become confrontational.

Therefore, you should avoid the areas of demonstrations, if possible, and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any event.

Each winter, several people in Latvia sustain serious injuries from falling icicles.

Pay careful attention to sidewalks that are blocked by rope or tape and be cautious of work crews clearing ice and snow from building rooftops.

Sidewalks and roads can also be extremely slippery in the winter months; exercise caution while crossing streets, even if you have the right of way.

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Crime

Latvia is a relatively safe country, and crime is generally non-violent in nature; however, serious violent assaults and robberies have occurred.

Harassment of foreigners, ethnic minorities, and homosexuals has also occurred in Latvia.

The Riga Tourist Police Unit has a 24/7 English-speaking operator at 371 6718 1818 and English-speaking officers who frequently patrol the Old City.

The most common crimes encountered by foreign tourists are purse snatching, pick-pocketing, and mugging, especially during the summer tourism season.

Tourists -- particularly those carrying backpacks -- are targeted by individuals or small groups of thieves working together.

Riga’s Old Town (Vecriga), Central train station (Dzelzcela stacija), Central bus station (Autoosta) and Central market (Centraltirgus) are crowded public places that are targeted by thieves.

Please be aware that there are numerous scam artists targeting foreigners in the tourist pubs and restaurants.

You should pay special attention to the drink prices at bars.

There have been instances of travelers being charged exorbitant prices.

Bills have been as high as several thousand dollars for drinks, and in some establishments the management may use force to secure payment.

If possible, you should avoid walking alone at night and avoid using ATMs after dark.

In addition, Internet crime is a growing concern in Latvia.

Common fraudulent schemes involve both Internet auction sites and Internet job-search sites.

In the first scam, criminals offer you valuable items for sale at low prices on Internet auctions and request that your payments are sent by wire transfer to a bank in Latvia or through a fraudulent escrow site that they have created themselves.

In this scheme, your money passes through a bank in Latvia and is quickly withdrawn at an ATM or transferred to a bank in another country.

It is very difficult in these cases to discover the identities of the account holders or recover the funds.

The second common scam involves identity theft through false job offers.

In this scheme, a company claiming to be located in Latvia, but which has a non-existent address, offers you employment as a U.S.-based agent or freight forwarder.

When you respond to the job offer, commonly posted on one of several popular Internet job sites, you are asked for a Social Security Number and other identifying information under the guise of conducting a background check.

Criminal Penalties

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into the United States, but by buying them you may also be breaking local law.

While you are traveling in another country, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own, and criminal penalties vary from country to country.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States.

For example, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods abroad.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you do something illegal in Latvia, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

Persons violating Latvian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs in Latvia are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in Latvia, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the U.S.

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Medical Facilities

The quality of medical care in Latvia continues to improve, but still often falls short of Western standards.

Latvia has many highly trained medical professionals, but hospitals and clinics still suffer from a lack of equipment and resources.

The 2008-2009 economic crisis has resulted in further strains in health service budgets.

Many doctors speak at least some English.

There are few private clinics in major cities that offer services equal to Western European or U.S. standards.

Elderly travelers and those with health problems may be at increased risk.

Western-quality dental care can be obtained in Riga.

Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services, particularly if immigration status in Latvia is unclear.

Ambulance service for emergencies is available by dialing 113; however, response time is poor in rural areas.

Air ambulance service is available for medical evacuations; however, it is very expensive and advance payment or guarantee letter from an insurance company is required before a patient is transported.

Pharmaceuticals sold in Latvia are produced by companies certified in accordance with EU standards.

Products of most major pharmaceutical manufacturers are sold in pharmacies in Latvia; however, they will not necessarily be labeled the same as in the United States and instructions are often not printed in English.

Tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease are widespread throughout the country.

Those intending to visit parks or forested areas in Latvia are urged to speak with their health care practitioners.

Tick-borne encephalitis vaccinations are given as a series of three doses, and are not available in the United States.

There are no vaccines against Lyme disease.

Hepatitis A is also a significant problem in Latvia.

Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in Latvia.

Traffic Safety

While in Latvia, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

Foreign visitors to Latvia planning to operate a motor vehicle are required to obtain an International Driving Permit.

You may get these through the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance for a small fee.

Your U.S. state driver’s license is not sufficient for driving in Latvia.

These requirements apply if you are using rental cars as well, whether or not the rental company chooses to enforce the requirement as a condition of rental.

If you drive without an International Driving Permit, you may have your vehicle confiscated by the police.

U.S. citizens resident in Latvia for more than six months are required to apply for a Latvian driver’s license.

Upon receipt of a Latvian driver’s license, U.S. citizens are required to surrender their U.S. driver’s license to the Latvian authorities.

The licenses are then returned to their respective states of issuance.

Latvia’s rate of automobile accidents and fatalities is one of the highest in Europe.

You should be alert for pedestrians and slow-moving vehicles in traffic.

Additionally, violation of traffic rules is common, and it is not unusual to be passed by other automobiles traveling at high speeds, even in crowded urban areas.

In Latvia, it is required by law to yield to pedestrians at marked intersections.

However, many drivers fail to do so.

Be alert to approaching vehicles when crossing the street.

During winter, most major roads are cleared of snow; however, you should be alert for fog, snow, and ice while driving.

Driving while intoxicated is a very serious offense and carries heavy penalties.

Local authorities use roadblocks and breathalyzer tests as enforcement tools.

Be alert to the possibility of drunk drivers and drunken pedestrians wandering on the road.

You must use headlights at all times, and note that there can be as little as six hours of daylight during the winter months.

Speed limits are usually 50 km/hr in the city and 90 km/hr on the highways.

As of late 2011, Latvia began using an extensive photo speed enforcement program with cameras deployed throughout the country.

Public transportation is generally considered safe, but travelers are encouraged to select well-marked taxis.

Emergency services are fair but improving (See section on Medical Facilities above); response time may be especially slow in traffic or in rural settings.

Dial 112 for police assistance, or 113 for ambulance service.

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Airports - total

42

Airports with Paved Runways

18

Heliports

1

Railways

1,391 Miles 2,239 Kilometers

Roadways- total

45,012 Miles 72,440 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

9,139 Miles 14,707 Kilometers

Waterways

186 Miles 300 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils

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Pipelines: Gas

577 Miles 928 Kilometers

Pipelines: Liquid Petroleum Gas

258 Miles 415 Kilometers

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Telephones

644,000

Cell Phones

2,217,000

Internet Users

1,177,000

Internet Country Code

.lv

Internet Hosts

289,478

Broadcast Media

• several national and regional commercial TV stations are foreign-owned, 2 national TV stations are publicly owned
• system supplemented by privately owned regional and local TV stations
• cable and satellite multi-channel TV services with domestic and foreign broadcasts available
• publicly owned broadcaster operates 4 radio networks with dozens of stations throughout the country
• dozens of private broadcasters also operate radio stations

Telephone System

• assessment: recent efforts focused on bringing competition to the telecommunications sector; the number of fixed lines is decreasing as mobile-cellular telephone service expands
• domestic: number of telecommunications operators has grown rapidly since the fixed-line market opened to competition in 2003; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership roughly 150 per 100 persons
• international: country code - 371; the Latvian network is now connected via fiber optic cable to Estonia, Finland, and Sweden

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Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

6,822,000,000

Electricity Exports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

2,123,000,000

Electricity Imports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

4,643,000,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

4,620,000,000

Natural Gas Consumption - Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

1,520,000,000

Natural Gas Imports- Cubic Meters (cu m)

1,580,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

31,340

Anthem History

"Dievs, Sveti Latviju!" was originally written for an entry in a national singing festival in 1873, and that year became the national anthem of Latvia until Soviet occupation in 1940.

Upon re-establishment of independence 50 years later, it was once again adopted as the official state anthem

Anthem Lyrics

DIEVS, SVîT± LATVIJU! Dievs, sveti Latviju, Mus' dargo teviju, Sveti jel Latviju, Ak, sveti jel to! Kur latvju meitas zied, Kur latvju deli dzied, Laid mums tur laime diet, Mus' Latvija!

Anthem Lyrics English

Bless Latvia, O God, Our verdant native land sod, Where Baltic heroes trod, Keep her from harm!

Bless Latvia, O God, Our verdant native land sod, Where Baltic heroes trod, Keep her from harm!

Our lovely daughters near.

Our singing sons appear, May Fortune smiling here Grace Latvia!

Our lovely daughters near.

Our singing sons appear, May Fortune smiling here Grace Latvia!