Latvia vs. Lithuania
Introduction
| Latvia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Background | Several eastern Baltic tribes merged in medieval times to form 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 26% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia acceded to both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004; it joined the euro zone in 2014 and the OECD in 2016. A dual citizenship law was adopted in 2013, easing naturalization for non-citizen children. | Lithuanian lands were united under MINDAUGAS in 1236; over the next century, through alliances and conquest, Lithuania extended its territory to include most of present-day Belarus and Ukraine. By the end of the 14th century Lithuania was the largest state in Europe. An alliance with Poland in 1386 led the two countries into a union through the person of a common ruler. In 1569, Lithuania and Poland formally united into a single dual state, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. This entity survived until 1795 when its remnants were partitioned by surrounding countries. Lithuania regained its independence following World War I but was annexed by the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. On 11 March 1990, Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence, but Moscow did not recognize this proclamation until September of 1991 (following the abortive coup in Moscow). The last Russian troops withdrew in 1993. Lithuania subsequently restructured its economy for integration into Western European institutions; it joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004. In 2015, Lithuania joined the euro zone, and it joined the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in 2018. |
Geography
| Latvia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania | Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia, west of Belarus |
| Geographic coordinates | 57 00 N, 25 00 E | 56 00 N, 24 00 E |
| Map references | Europe | Europe |
| Area | total: 64,589 sq km land: 62,249 sq km water: 2,340 sq km | total: 65,300 sq km land: 62,680 sq km water: 2,620 sq km |
| Area - comparative | slightly larger than West Virginia | slightly larger than West Virginia |
| Land boundaries | total: 1,370 km border countries (4): Belarus 161 km, Estonia 333 km, Lithuania 544 km, Russia 332 km | total: 1,545 km border countries (4): Belarus 640 km, Latvia 544 km, Poland 100 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 261 km |
| Coastline | 498 km | 90 km |
| Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: limits as agreed to by Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Russia continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation | territorial sea: 12 nm |
| Climate | maritime; wet, moderate winters | transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers |
| Terrain | low plain | lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil |
| Elevation extremes | highest point: Gaizina Kalns 312 m lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m mean elevation: 87 m | highest point: Aukstojas 294 m lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m mean elevation: 110 m |
| Natural resources | peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, timber, arable land | peat, arable land, amber |
| Land use | agricultural land: 29.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 18.6% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 10.5% (2018 est.) forest: 54.1% (2018 est.) other: 16.7% (2018 est.) | agricultural land: 44.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 34.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.5% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 9.4% (2018 est.) forest: 34.6% (2018 est.) other: 20.6% (2018 est.) |
| Irrigated land | 12 sq km (2012) 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 | 44 sq km (2012) |
| Natural hazards | large percentage of agricultural fields can become waterlogged and require drainage | occasional floods, droughts |
| Environment - current issues | while land, water, and air pollution are evident, Latvia's environment has benefited from a shift to service industries after the country regained independence; improvements have occurred in drinking water quality, sewage treatment, household and hazardous waste management, as well as reduction of air pollution; concerns include nature protection and the management of water resources and the protection of the Baltic Sea | water pollution; air pollution; deforestation; threatened animal and plant species; chemicals and waste materials released into the environment contaminate soil and groundwater; soil degradation and erosion |
| Environment - international agreements | party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements | party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling 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 | fertile central plains are separated by hilly uplands that are ancient glacial deposits |
| Total renewable water resources | 34.94 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) | 24.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) |
| Population distribution | largest concentration of people is found in and around the port and capital city of Riga; small agglomerations are scattered throughout the country | fairly even population distribution throughout the country, but somewhat greater concentrations in the southern cities of Vilnius and Kaunas, and the western port of Klaipeda |
Demographics
| Latvia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,862,687 (July 2021 est.) | 2,711,566 (July 2021 est.) |
| Age structure | 0-14 years: 15.32% (male 148,120/female 140,028) 15-24 years: 9% (male 87,372/female 81,965) 25-54 years: 40.41% (male 380,817/female 379,359) 55-64 years: 14.77% (male 125,401/female 152,548) 65 years and over: 20.5% (male 128,151/female 257,471) (2020 est.) | 0-14 years: 15.26% (male 213,802/female 202,948) 15-24 years: 10.23% (male 144,679/female 134,822) 25-54 years: 38.96% (male 528,706/female 535,485) 55-64 years: 15.1% (male 183,854/female 228,585) 65 years and over: 20.45% (male 190,025/female 368,558) (2020 est.) |
| Median age | total: 44.4 years male: 40.5 years female: 48 years (2020 est.) | total: 44.5 years male: 40.2 years female: 48.2 years (2020 est.) |
| Population growth rate | -1.1% (2021 est.) | -1.04% (2021 est.) |
| Birth rate | 8.96 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 9.42 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Death rate | 14.63 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 15.05 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Net migration rate | -5.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) | -4.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Sex ratio | at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.82 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.5 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2020 est.) | at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.8 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.52 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2020 est.) |
| Infant mortality rate | total: 4.93 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) | total: 3.66 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) |
| Life expectancy at birth | total population: 75.65 years male: 71.19 years female: 80.33 years (2021 est.) | total population: 75.61 years male: 70.23 years female: 81.29 years (2021 est.) |
| Total fertility rate | 1.54 children born/woman (2021 est.) | 1.61 children born/woman (2021 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate | 0.3% (2019 est.) | 0.1% (2019 est.) |
| Nationality | noun: Latvian(s) adjective: Latvian | noun: Lithuanian(s) adjective: Lithuanian |
| Ethnic groups | Latvian 62.7%, Russian 24.5%, Belarusian 3.1%, Ukrainian 2.2%, Polish 2%, Lithuanian 1.1%, other 1.8%, unspecified 2.6% (2021 est.) | Lithuanian 84.1%, Polish 6.6%, Russian 5.8%, Belarusian 1.2%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.2% (2011 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS | 5,600 (2019 est.) | 3,400 (2019 est.) |
| Religions | Lutheran 36.2%, Roman Catholic 19.5%, Orthodox 19.1%, other Christian 1.6%, other 0.1%, unspecified/none 23.5% (2017 est.) | Roman Catholic 77.2%, Russian Orthodox 4.1%, Old Believer 0.8%, Evangelical Lutheran 0.6%, Evangelical Reformist 0.2%, other (including Sunni Muslim, Jewish, Greek Catholic, and Karaite) 0.8%, none 6.1%, unspecified 10.1% (2011 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - deaths | <100 (2019 est.) | <100 (2019 est.) |
| Languages | 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 (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): World Factbook, neaizstajams avots pamata informaciju. (Latvian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. | Lithuanian (official) 82%, Russian 8%, Polish 5.6%, other 0.9%, unspecified 3.5% (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): Pasaulio enciklopedija - naudingas bendrosios informacijos saltinis. (Lithuanian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. |
| Literacy | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.9% male: 99.9% female: 99.9% (2015) | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: 99.8% female: 99.8% (2015) |
| Major infectious diseases | degree of risk: intermediate (2020) vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis | degree of risk: intermediate (2020) vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis |
| School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) | total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2018) | total: 17 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2018) |
| Education expenditures | 4.4% of GDP (2017) | 3.8% of GDP (2017) |
| Urbanization | urban population: 68.4% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: -0.68% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) | urban population: 68.2% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: -0.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) |
| Drinking water source | improved: urban: 98.8% of population rural: 98.2% of population total: 98.6% of population unimproved: urban: 1.2% of population rural: 1.8% of population total: 1.4% of population (2017 est.) | improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 92.8% of population total: 97.5% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 7.2% of population total: 2.5% of population (2017 est.) |
| Sanitation facility access | improved: urban: 98.9% of population rural: 84.6% of population total: 94.3% of population unimproved: urban: 1.1% of population rural: 15.4% of population total: 5.7% of population (2017 est.) | improved: urban: 99.3% of population rural: 87.5% of population total: 95.5% of population unimproved: urban: 0.7% of population rural: 12.5% of population total: 4.5% of population (2017 est.) |
| Major cities - population | 628,000 RIGA (capital) (2021) | 540,000 VILNIUS (capital) (2021) |
| Maternal mortality rate | 19 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) | 5 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) |
| Health expenditures | 6.2% (2018) | 6.6% (2018) |
| Physicians density | 3.19 physicians/1,000 population (2017) | 6.35 physicians/1,000 population (2018) |
| Hospital bed density | 5.6 beds/1,000 population (2017) | 6.6 beds/1,000 population (2017) |
| Obesity - adult prevalence rate | 23.6% (2016) | 26.3% (2016) |
| Mother's mean age at first birth | 27.3 years (2019 est.) | 27.5 years (2019 est.) |
| Dependency ratios | total dependency ratio: 59 youth dependency ratio: 26.1 elderly dependency ratio: 32.9 potential support ratio: 3 (2020 est.) | total dependency ratio: 56.5 youth dependency ratio: 24.2 elderly dependency ratio: 32.3 potential support ratio: 3.1 (2020 est.) |
Government
| Latvia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 etymology: 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.) | conventional long form: Republic of Lithuania conventional short form: Lithuania local long form: Lietuvos Respublika local short form: Lietuva former: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic etymology: meaning of the name "Lietuva" remains unclear; it may derive from the Lietava, a stream in east central Lithuania |
| Government type | parliamentary republic | semi-presidential republic |
| 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 etymology: of the several theories explaining the name's origin, the one relating to the city's role in Baltic and North Sea commerce is the most probable; the name is likely related to the Latvian word "rija," meaning "warehouse," where the 'j' became a 'g' under the heavy German influence in the city from the late Middle Ages to the early 20th century | name: Vilnius geographic coordinates: 54 41 N, 25 19 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 etymology: named after the Vilnia River, which flows into the Neris River at Vilnius; the river name derives from the Lithuanian word "vilnis" meaning "a surge" |
| Administrative divisions | 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 | 60 municipalities (savivaldybe, singular - savivaldybe); Akmene, Alytaus Miestas, Alytus, Anksciai, Birstono, Birzai, Druskininkai, Elektrenai, Ignalina, Jonava, Joniskis, Jurbarkas, Kaisiadorys, Kalvarijos, Kauno Miestas, Kaunas, Kazlu Rudos, Kedainiai, Kelme, Klaipedos Miestas, Klaipeda, Kretinga, Kupiskis, Lazdijai, Marijampole, Mazeikiai, Moletai, Neringa, Pagegiai, Pakruojis, Palangos Miestas, Panevezio Miestas, Panevezys, Pasvalys, Plunge, Prienai, Radviliskis, Raseiniai, Rietavo, Rokiskis, Sakiai, Salcininkai, Siauliu Miestas, Siauliai, Silale, Silute, Sirvintos, Skuodas, Svencionys, Taurage, Telsiai, Trakai, Ukmerge, Utena, Varena, Vilkaviskis, Vilniaus Miestas, Vilnius, Visaginas, Zarasai |
| Independence | 18 November 1918 (from Soviet Russia); 4 May 1990 (declared from the Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union) | 16 February 1918 (from Soviet Russia and Germany); 11 March 1990 (declared from the Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union); notable earlier dates: 6 July 1253 (coronation of MINDAUGAS, traditional founding date); 1 July 1569 (Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth created) |
| 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 | Independence Day (or National Day), 16 February (1918); note - 16 February 1918 was the date Lithuania established its statehood and its concomitant independence from Soviet Russia and Germany; 11 March 1990 was the date it declared the restoration of Lithuanian statehood and its concomitant independence from the Soviet Union |
| 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 | history: several previous; latest adopted by referendum 25 October 1992, entered into force 2 November 1992 amendments: proposed by at least one fourth of all Parliament members or by petition of at least 300,000 voters; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of Parliament in each of two readings three months apart and a presidential signature; amendments to constitutional articles on national sovereignty and constitutional amendment procedure also require three-fourths voter approval in a referendum; amended many times, last in 2019 |
| Legal system | civil law system with traces of socialist legal traditions and practices | civil law system; legislative acts can be appealed to the Constitutional Court |
| Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal | 18 years of age; universal |
| Executive branch | chief of state: President Egils LEVITS (since 8 July 2019) head of government: Prime Minister Krisjanis KARINS (since 23 January 2019) 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 29 May 2019 (next to be held in 2023); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by Parliament election results: Egils LEVITS elected president; Parliament vote - Egils LEVITS 61 votes, Didzis SMITS 24, Juris JANSONS 8; Krisjanis KARINS confirmed prime minister 61-39 | chief of state: President Gitanas NAUSEDA (since 12 July 2019) head of government: Prime Minister Ingrida SIMONYTE (since 24 November 2020) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the president, and approved by Parliament elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 and 26 May 2019 (next to be held in May 2024); prime minister appointed by the president, approved by Parliament election results: Gitanas NAUSEDA elected president in second round; percent of vote - Gitanas NAUSEDA (independent) 66.7%, Ingrida SIMONYTE (independent) 33.3%; Saulius SKVERNELIS (LVZS) approved as prime minister by Parliament vote - 62 to 10 |
| 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 6 October 2018 (next to be held in October 2022) election results: percent of vote by party - SDPS 19.8%, KPV LV 14.3%, JKP 13.6%, AP! 12%, NA 11%, ZZS 9.9%, V 6.7%, other 12.7%; seats by party - SDPS 23, KPV LV 16, JKP 16, AP! 13, NA 13, ZZS 11, V 8; composition - men 69, women 31, percent of women 31% | description: unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats; 71 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote and 70 directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 11 and 25 October 2020 (next to be held in October 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - TS-LKD 50, LVZS 32, LSDP 13, LRLS 13, Freedom 11, DP 10, AWPL 3, LSDDP 3, LT 1, Greens 1, independent 4; composition - men 103, women 38, percent of women 27% |
| Judicial branch | highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the Senate with 36 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 judges) judge selection and term of 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 | highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of 37 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the president and appointed by the Seimas; judges serve 5-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the Seimas from nominations - 3 each by the president of the republic, the Seimas chairperson, and the Supreme Court president; judges serve 9-year, nonrenewable terms; one-third of membership reconstituted every 3 years subordinate courts: Court of Appeals; district and local courts |
| Political parties and leaders | Development/For! or AP! [Daniels PAVLUTS, Juris PUCE] National Alliance "All For Latvia!"-"For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK" or NA [Raivis DZINTARS] New Conservative Party or JKP [Janis BORDANS] Social Democratic Party "Harmony" or SDPS [Nils USAKOVS] Union of Greens and Farmers or ZZS [Armands KRAUZE] Unity or V [Arvils ASERADENS] Who Owns the State? or KPV LV [Artuss KAIMINS] | Electoral Action of Lithuanian Poles or LLRA [Valdemar TOMASEVSKI] Farmers and Greens Union or LVZS [Ramunas KARBAUSKIS] Freedom Party or LP [Ausrine ARMONAITE] Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats or TS-LKD [Gabrielius LANDSBERGIS] Labor Party or DP [Viktor USPASKICH] Lithuanian Center Party or LCP [Naglis PUTEIKIS] Lithuanian Green Party or LZP [Remigijus LAPINSKAS]] Lithuanian Liberal Movement or LS or LRLS [Viktorija CMILYTE] Lithuanian List or LL [Darius KUOLYS] Lithuanian Social Democratic Party or LSDP [Gintautas PALUCKAS] Lithuanian Social Democratic Labor Party or LSDDP [Gediminas KIRKILAS] Freedom and Justice Party or LT [Remigijus ZEMAITAITIS] |
| 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, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO | Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO |
| 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 address and website: embassy.usa@mfa.gov.lv https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/usa | chief of mission: Ambassador Audra PLEPYTE (since 7 July 2021) chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860 FAX: [1] (202) 328-0466 email address and website: info@usa.mfa.lt https://usa.mfa.lt/usa/en/ consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | chief of mission: Ambassador John Leslie CARWILE (since 5 November 2019) 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 address and website: askconsular-riga@state.gov https://lv.usembassy.gov/ | chief of mission: Ambassador Robert S. GILCHRIST (since 4 February 2020) embassy: Akmenu gatve 6, Vilnius, LT-03106 mailing address: 4510 Vilnius Place, Washington DC 20521-4510 telephone: [370] (5) 266-5500 FAX: [370] (5) 266-5510 email address and website: consec@state.gov https://lt.usembassy.gov/ |
| 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 | three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red; yellow symbolizes golden fields, as well as the sun, light, and goodness; green represents the forests of the countryside, in addition to nature, freedom, and hope; red stands for courage and the blood spilled in defense of the homeland |
| National anthem | name: "Dievs, sveti Latviju!" (God Bless Latvia) lyrics/music: Karlis BAUMANIS note: adopted 1920, restored 1990; first performed in 1873 while Latvia was a part of Russia; banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990 | name: "Tautiska giesme" (The National Song) lyrics/music: Vincas KUDIRKA note: adopted 1918, restored 1990; written in 1898 while Lithuania was a part of Russia; banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990 |
| International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction |
| National symbol(s) | white wagtail (bird); national colors: maroon, white | mounted knight known as Vytis (the Chaser), white stork; national colors: yellow, green, red |
| Citizenship | citizenship by 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 | citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Lithuania dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years |
Economy
| Latvia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Economy - 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. | After the country declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1990, Lithuania faced an initial dislocation that is typical during transitions from a planned economy to a free-market economy. Macroeconomic stabilization policies, including privatization of most state-owned enterprises, and a strong commitment to a currency board arrangement led to an open and rapidly growing economy and rising consumer demand. Foreign investment and EU funding aided in the transition. Lithuania joined the WTO in May 2001, the EU in May 2004, and the euro zone in January 2015, and is now working to complete the OECD accession roadmap it received in July 2015. In 2017, joined the OECD Working Group on Bribery, an important step in the OECD accession process. The Lithuanian economy was severely hit by the 2008-09 global financial crisis, but it has rebounded and become one of the fastest growing in the EU. Increases in exports, investment, and wage growth that supported consumption helped the economy grow by 3.6% in 2017. In 2015, Russia was Lithuania's largest trading partner, followed by Poland, Germany, and Latvia; goods and services trade between the US and Lithuania totaled $2.2 billion. Lithuania opened a self-financed liquefied natural gas terminal in January 2015, providing the first non-Russian supply of natural gas to the Baltic States and reducing Lithuania's dependence on Russian gas from 100% to approximately 30% in 2016. Lithuania's ongoing recovery hinges on improving the business environment, especially by liberalizing labor laws, and improving competitiveness and export growth, the latter hampered by economic slowdowns in the EU and Russia. In addition, a steady outflow of young and highly educated people is causing a shortage of skilled labor, which, combined with a rapidly aging population, could stress public finances and constrain long-term growth. |
| GDP (purchasing power parity) | $59.102 billion (2019 est.) $57.912 billion (2018 est.) $55.672 billion (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars | $103.756 billion (2019 est.) $99.442 billion (2018 est.) $95.675 billion (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars |
| GDP - real growth rate | 2.08% (2019 est.) 4.2% (2018 est.) 3.23% (2017 est.) | 4.33% (2019 est.) 3.99% (2018 est.) 4.37% (2017 est.) |
| GDP - per capita (PPP) | $30,898 (2019 est.) $30,050 (2018 est.) $28,664 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars | $37,231 (2019 est.) $35,496 (2018 est.) $33,827 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars |
| GDP - composition by sector | agriculture: 3.9% (2017 est.) industry: 22.4% (2017 est.) services: 73.7% (2017 est.) | agriculture: 3.5% (2017 est.) industry: 29.4% (2017 est.) services: 67.2% (2017 est.) |
| Population below poverty line | 22.9% (2018 est.) | 20.6% (2018 est.) |
| Household income or consumption by percentage share | lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 26.3% (2015) | lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 28.8% (2015) |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices) | 2.8% (2019 est.) 2.5% (2018 est.) 2.9% (2017 est.) | 2.3% (2019 est.) 2.7% (2018 est.) 3.7% (2017 est.) |
| Labor force | 885,000 (2020 est.) | 1.333 million (2020 est.) |
| Labor force - by occupation | agriculture: 7.7% industry: 24.1% services: 68.1% (2016 est.) | agriculture: 9.1% industry: 25.2% services: 65.8% (2015 est.) |
| Unemployment rate | 6.14% (2019 est.) 6.51% (2018 est.) | 8.4% (2019 est.) 8.5% (2018 est.) |
| Distribution of family income - Gini index | 35.6 (2017 est.) 35.4 (2014) | 37.3 (2017 est.) 35 (2014) |
| Budget | revenues: 11.39 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 11.53 billion (2017 est.) | revenues: 15.92 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 15.7 billion (2017 est.) |
| Industries | processed foods, processed wood products, textiles, processed metals, pharmaceuticals, railroad cars, synthetic fibers, electronics | metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, televisions, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture, textiles, food processing, fertilizer, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, lasers, electronic components, computers, amber jewelry, information technology, video game development, app/software development, biotechnology |
| Industrial production growth rate | 10.6% (2017 est.) | 5.9% (2017 est.) |
| Agriculture - products | wheat, milk, rapeseed, barley, oats, potatoes, rye, beans, pork, poultry | wheat, milk, sugar beet, rapeseed, barley, triticale, potatoes, oats, peas, beans |
| Exports | $20.444 billion (2019 est.) $20.007 billion (2018 est.) $19.153 billion (2017 est.) | $45.358 billion (2019 est.) $41.433 billion (2018 est.) $38.763 billion (2017 est.) |
| Exports - commodities | lumber, broadcasting equipment, whiskey and other hard liquors, wheat, packaged medicines (2019) | refined petroleum, furniture, cigarettes, wheat, polyethylene (2019) |
| Exports - partners | Lithuania 16%, Estonia 10%, Russia 9%, Germany 7%, Sweden 6%, United Kingdom 6% (2019) | Russia 13%, Latvia 9%, Poland 8%, Germany 7%, Estonia 5% (2019) |
| Imports | $22.049 billion (2019 est.) $21.397 billion (2018 est.) $20.096 billion (2017 est.) | $43.733 billion (2019 est.) $41.131 billion (2018 est.) $38.745 billion (2017 est.) |
| Imports - commodities | refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, cars, packaged medicines, aircraft (2019) | crude petroleum, cars, packaged medicines, refined petroleum, electricity (2019) |
| Imports - partners | Russia 21%, Lithuania 14%, Germany 9%, Poland 7%, Estonia 7% (2019) | Poland 12%, Russia 12%, Germany 12%, Latvia 7%, Netherlands 5% (2019) |
| Debt - external | $40.164 billion (2019 est.) $42.488 billion (2018 est.) | $37.859 billion (2019 est.) $41.999 billion (2018 est.) |
| Exchange rates | euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.82771 (2020 est.) 0.90338 (2019 est.) 0.87789 (2018 est.) 0.885 (2014 est.) 0.7634 (2013 est.) | litai (LTL) per US dollar - 0.82771 (2020 est.) 0.90338 (2019 est.) 0.87789 (2018 est.) 0.9012 (2014 est.) 0.7525 (2013 est.) |
| Fiscal year | calendar year | calendar year |
| Public debt | 36.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 37.4% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities, including sub-sectors of central government, state government, local government, and social security funds | 39.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 40.1% of GDP (2016 est.) note: official data; data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities, debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are sold at public auctions |
| Reserves of foreign exchange and gold | $4.614 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $3.514 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $4.45 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $1.697 billion (31 December 2015 est.) |
| Current Account Balance | -$222 million (2019 est.) -$99 million (2018 est.) | $1.817 billion (2019 est.) $131 million (2018 est.) |
| GDP (official exchange rate) | $34.084 billion (2019 est.) | $54.597 billion (2019 est.) |
| Credit ratings | Fitch rating: A- (2014) Moody's rating: A3 (2015) Standard & Poors rating: A+ (2020) | Fitch rating: A (2020) Moody's rating: A3 (2015) Standard & Poors rating: A+ (2020) |
| Ease of Doing Business Index scores | Overall score: 80.3 (2020) Starting a Business score: 94.1 (2020) Trading score: 95.3 (2020) Enforcement score: 73.5 (2020) | Overall score: 81.6 (2020) Starting a Business score: 93.3 (2020) Trading score: 97.8 (2020) Enforcement score: 78.8 (2020) |
| Taxes and other revenues | 37.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) | 33.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) |
| Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) | -0.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) | 0.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) |
| Unemployment, youth ages 15-24 | total: 12.4% male: 14.2% female: 10.1% (2019 est.) | total: 11.9% male: 14.1% female: 9.3% (2019 est.) |
| GDP - composition, by end use | household consumption: 61.8% (2017 est.) government consumption: 18.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 19.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 60.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -61.9% (2017 est.) | household consumption: 63.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 16.6% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 18.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -1.3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 81.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -79.3% (2017 est.) |
| Gross national saving | 21.7% of GDP (2019 est.) 23.5% of GDP (2018 est.) 23.4% of GDP (2017 est.) | 20.8% of GDP (2019 est.) 20.8% of GDP (2018 est.) 20% of GDP (2017 est.) |
Energy
| Latvia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity - production | 6.241 billion kWh (2016 est.) | 3.131 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - consumption | 6.798 billion kWh (2016 est.) | 10.5 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - exports | 3.795 billion kWh (2016 est.) | 730 million kWh (2015 est.) |
| Electricity - imports | 4.828 billion kWh (2016 est.) | 11.11 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Oil - production | 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) | 2,000 bbl/day (2018 est.) |
| Oil - imports | 0 bbl/day (2017 est.) | 182,900 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Oil - exports | 0 bbl/day (2017 est.) | 1,002 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Oil - proved reserves | 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.) | 12 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.) |
| Natural gas - proved reserves | 0 cu m (2014 est.) | 0 cu m (2016 est.) |
| Natural gas - production | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - consumption | 1.218 billion cu m (2017 est.) | 2.492 billion cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - exports | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - imports | 1.246 billion cu m (2017 est.) | 2.492 billion cu m (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - installed generating capacity | 2.932 million kW (2016 est.) | 3.71 million kW (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - from fossil fuels | 39% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) | 73% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - from hydroelectric plants | 53% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 4% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - from nuclear fuels | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - from other renewable sources | 8% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 23% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - production | 0 bbl/day (2017 est.) | 196,500 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - consumption | 44,600 bbl/day (2017 est.) | 58,000 bbl/day (2016 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - exports | 16,180 bbl/day (2017 est.) | 174,800 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - imports | 54,370 bbl/day (2017 est.) | 42,490 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Electricity access | electrification - total population: 100% (2020) | electrification - total population: 100% (2020) |
Telecommunications
| Latvia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Telephones - main lines in use | total subscriptions: 227,616 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11.96 (2019 est.) | total subscriptions: 368,213 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13.3 (2019 est.) |
| Telephones - mobile cellular | total subscriptions: 2,071,814 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 108.83 (2019 est.) | total subscriptions: 4,658,823 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 168.29 (2019 est.) |
| Internet country code | .lv | .lt |
| Internet users | total: 1,607,711 percent of population: 83.58% (July 2018 est.) | total: 2,226,806 percent of population: 79.72% (July 2018 est.) |
| Telecommunication systems | general assessment: recent efforts focused on bringing competition to the telecommunications sector; the number of fixed-line phones is decreasing as mobile-cellular telephone service expands; EU regulatory policies, and framework provide guidelines for growth; government adopted measures to build a national fiber broadband network, partially funded by European Commission; new competition in mobile markets with extensive LTE-A technologies and 5G service growth; developing sophisticated digital economy with e-commerce and e-government widely available; operator working on cable to Sakhalin in Russia's Far East (2021) (2020)domestic: fixed-line 12 per 100 and mobile-cellular 109 per 100 subscriptions (2019) international: country code - 371; the Latvian network is now connected via fiber-optic cable to Estonia, Finland, and Sweden note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments | general assessment: Lithuania's small telecom market is among the most advanced in Europe, with universal access to LTE, extensive fiber footprint, and tests of 5G; operators focus on data speeds; improved international capability and better residential access; high SIM card penetration; increased demand for high-speed Internet for education, entertainment, and shopping during pandemic supporting growth in revenue through fiber lines; importer of broadcast equipment and video displays from neighboring EU countries (2021) (2020)domestic: 13 per 100 for fixed-line subscriptions; rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services has resulted in a steady decline in the number of fixed-line connections; mobile-cellular teledensity stands at about 169 per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 370; landing points for the BCS East, BCS East-West Interlink and NordBalt connecting Lithuania to Sweden, and Latvia ; further transmission by satellite; landline connections to Latvia and Poland (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments |
| Broadband - fixed subscriptions | total: 508,894 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 26.73 (2019 est.) | total: 791,826 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28.6 (2019 est.) |
| 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 | public broadcaster operates 3 channels with the third channel - a satellite channel - introduced in 2007; various privately owned commercial TV broadcasters operate national and multiple regional channels; many privately owned local TV stations; multi-channel cable and satellite TV services available; publicly owned broadcaster operates 3 radio networks; many privately owned commercial broadcasters, with repeater stations in various regions throughout the country |
Transportation
| Latvia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Railways | total: 1,860 km (2018) narrow gauge: 34 km 0.750-m gauge (2018) broad gauge: 1,826 km 1.520-m gauge (2018) | total: 1,768 km (2014) standard gauge: 22 km 1.435-m gauge (2014) broad gauge: 1,746 km 1.520-m gauge (122 km electrified) (2014) |
| Roadways | total: 70,244 km (2018) paved: 15,158 km (2018) unpaved: 55,086 km (2018) | total: 84,166 km (2012) paved: 72,297 km (includes 312 km of expressways) (2012) unpaved: 11,869 km (2012) |
| Waterways | 300 km (navigable year-round) (2010) | 441 km (navigable year-round) (2007) |
| Pipelines | 1,213 km gas, 417 km refined products (2018) | 1921 km gas, 121 km refined products (2013) |
| Ports and terminals | major seaport(s): Riga, Ventspils | major seaport(s): Klaipeda oil terminal(s): Butinge oil terminal LNG terminal(s) (import): Klaipeda |
| Merchant marine | total: 66 by type: general cargo 16, oil tanker 9, other 41 (2020) | total: 61 by type: container ship 4, general cargo 23, oil tanker 2, other 32 (2020) |
| Airports | total: 42 (2013) | total: 61 (2013) |
| Airports - with paved runways | total: 18 (2017) over 3,047 m: 1 (2017) 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2017) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2017) 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2017) under 914 m: 7 (2017) | total: 22 (2017) over 3,047 m: 3 (2017) 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2017) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 (2017) 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2017) under 914 m: 9 (2017) |
| Airports - with unpaved runways | total: 24 (2013) under 914 m: 24 (2013) | total: 39 (2013) over 3,047 m: 1 (2013) 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2013) under 914 m: 36 (2013) |
| National air transport system | number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 53 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 4,058,762 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 4.01 million mt-km (2018) | number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 50 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 26,031 (2018) |
| Civil aircraft registration country code prefix | YL | LY |
Military
| Latvia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Military branches | National Armed Forces (Nacionalie Brunotie Speki): Land Forces (Latvijas Sauszemes Speki), Naval Force (Latvijas Juras Speki, includes Coast Guard (Latvijas Kara Flote)), Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa Speki), National Guard (2021) | Lithuanian Armed Forces (Lietuvos Ginkluotosios Pajegos): Land Forces (Sausumos Pajegos), Naval Forces (Karines Juru Pajegos), Air Forces (Karines Oro Pajegos), Special Operations Forces (Specialiuju Operaciju Pajegos); National Defense Volunteer Forces (Savanoriu Pajegos); National Riflemen's Union (paramilitary force that acts as an additional reserve force) (2021) |
| Military service age and obligation | 18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; no conscription (abolished 2007); under current law, every citizen is entitled to serve in the armed forces for life (2019) | 19-26 years of age for conscripted military service (males); 9-month service obligation; in 2015, Lithuania reinstated conscription after having converted to a professional military in 2008; 18-38 for voluntary service (male and female) (2019) |
| Military expenditures - percent of GDP | 2.27% of GDP (2020 est.) 2.03% of GDP (2019) 2.06% of GDP (2018) 1.59% of GDP (2017) 1.44% of GDP (2016) | 2.13% of GDP (2020 est.) 2% of GDP (2019) 1.97% of GDP (2018) 1.71% of GDP (2017) 1.48% of GDP (2016) |
| Military - note | Latvia officially became a member of NATO in 2004 | Lithuania officially became a member of NATO in 2004 |
| Military and security service personnel strengths | the National Armed Forces of Latvia have approximately 6,000 active duty troops (5,000 Land Forces; 500 Naval Force/Coast Guard; 500 Air Force) (2021) | the Lithuanian Armed Forces have approximately 16,000 active duty personnel (12,500 Army, including about 5,000 National Defense Voluntary Forces; 600 Navy; 1,000 Air Force; 2,000 other, including special operations forces, logistics support, training, etc); est. 11,000 Riflemen Union (2021) |
| Military equipment inventories and acquisitions | the Latvian military's inventory is limited and consists of a mixture of Soviet-era and more modern--mostly second-hand--European and US equipment; since 2010, it has received limited amounts of equipment from several European countries, as well as the US (2020) | the Lithuanian Armed Forces' inventory is mostly a mix of Western weapons systems and Soviet-era equipment (primarily aircraft and helicopters); Germany and the UK are the leading suppliers of armaments to Lithuania since 2010 (2020) |
Transnational Issues
| Latvia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Lithuania and Russia committed to demarcating their boundary in 2006 in accordance with the land and maritime treaty ratified by Russia in May 2003 and by Lithuania in 1999; Lithuania operates a simplified transit regime for Russian nationals traveling from the Kaliningrad coastal exclave into Russia, while still conforming, as a EU member state having an external border with a non-EU member, to strict Schengen border rules; boundary demarcated with Latvia and Lithuania; as of January 2007, ground demarcation of the boundary with Belarus was complete and mapped with final ratification documents in preparation |
| Illicit drugs | transshipment and destination point for cocaine, synthetic drugs, opiates, and cannabis from Southwest Asia, Western Europe, Latin America, and neighboring Baltic 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 | transshipment and destination point for cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, and opiates from Southwest Asia, Latin America, Western Europe, and neighboring Baltic countries; growing production of high-quality amphetamines, but limited production of cannabis, methamphetamines; susceptible to money laundering despite changes to banking legislation |
| Refugees and internally displaced persons | stateless persons: 209,167 (2020); note - individuals who were Latvian citizens prior to the 1940 Soviet occupation and their descendants were recognized as Latvian citizens when the country's independence was restored in 1991; citizens of the former Soviet Union residing in Latvia who have neither Latvian nor other citizenship are considered non-citizens (officially there is no statelessness in Latvia) and are entitled to non-citizen passports; children born after Latvian independence to stateless parents are entitled to Latvian citizenship upon their parents' request; non-citizens cannot vote or hold certain government jobs and are exempt from military service but can travel visa-free in the EU under the Schengen accord like Latvian citizens; non-citizens can obtain naturalization if they have been permanent residents of Latvia for at least five years, pass tests in Latvian language and history, and know the words of the Latvian national anthem | stateless persons: 2,720 (2020) |
Environment
| Latvia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Air pollutants | particulate matter emissions: 12.72 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 7 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 1.85 megatons (2020 est.) | particulate matter emissions: 11.49 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 12.96 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 3.15 megatons (2020 est.) |
| Total water withdrawal | municipal: 94.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 25.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 61.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) | municipal: 130.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 69.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 58.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.) |
| Revenue from forest resources | forest revenues: 0.85% of GDP (2018 est.) | forest revenues: 0.31% of GDP (2018 est.) |
| Revenue from coal | coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) | coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) |
| Waste and recycling | municipal solid waste generated annually: 857,000 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 181,941 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 21.2% (2015 est.) | municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.3 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 297,960 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 22.9% (2015 est.) |
Source: CIA Factbook
