Latvia Population

Latvia has been subject to other countries for much of its history. Following the separation from the Soviet Union in 1991, the country has approached the West and changed its economic system. Despite political shifts and economic disparities among the population, Latvia has experienced high economic growth in recent years.

Key figures and facts

• Capital: Riga
• Ethnic groups: Latvians 62%, Russians 25.4%, Belarusians 3.3%, Ukrainians 2.2%, Poles 2.1%, Lithuanians 1.2%, others 3.8% (2017)
• Language: Latvian (official) 56.3%, Russian 33.8%, other 10% (includes Polish, Ukrainian and Belarusian) (2011)
• Religion: Protestants 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, Other Christians 1%, Others 64.1% (2006)
• Population: 1 950 000 (2017)
• Control Form: Republic
• Area: 64 480 km2
• Currency: euro
• GNP per capita: 25 587 PPP $
• National Day: November 18th

Latvia Population

By 2020, the population of Latvia was estimated to be about 1.88 million residents. Life expectancy at birth is 80 years for women and 70 years for men.

In 1939, Latvia had a population composition of 76 percent Latvians, 12 percent Russians, 5 percent Jews and 3.5 percent Germans. At the 1989 census, the proportion of Latvians had declined sharply (52 percent Latvians) and the proportion of Russians had increased (34 percent). In 2008, 58 percent were Latvians and 29 percent Russians, and in 2018, 62 percent were Latvians and 25 percent Russians. In several of the cities, about half of the residents are Russians. In addition come Belarusians (3 percent), Ukrainians, Poles (both 2 percent) and Lithuanians (1 percent). There has been controversy over the treatment of the country’s Russian and other non-Latvian residents. Following a decision in parliament, these were rendered stateless, but the decision faced strong reactions, including from Russia and the EU. The decision was subsequently changed.

About 68 percent of the population lives in cities (2020). Most important is the capital Riga. Significant port cities are Liepāja (Libau) and Ventspils (Windau), inland villages are Jelgava (Mitau) and Daugavpils (Dvinsk, Dünaburg).

Population of Latvia by Year (Historical)

Year	Population	Annual Growth Rate	Population Density	Global Rank
2020	1,886,087	-1.080%	30.3247	151
2019	1,906,632	-1.130%	30.6550	151
2018	1,928,348	-1.160%	31.0042	150
2017	1,950,986	-1.170%	31.3681	150
2016	1,974,155	-1.170%	31.7406	150
2015	1,997,563	-1.170%	32.1170	149
2010	2,118,750	-1.210%	34.0653	143
2005	2,251,882	-1.130%	36.2057	142
2000	2,384,053	-1.010%	38.3306	139
1995	2,508,369	-1.200%	40.3293	135
1990	2,664,328	0.640%	42.8366	131
1985	2,580,647	0.470%	41.4913	130
1980	2,521,280	0.420%	40.5368	127
1975	2,469,333	0.760%	39.7017	125
1970	2,377,910	0.960%	38.2319	122
1965	2,266,832	1.260%	36.4460	119
1960	2,129,475	1.250%	34.2377	115
1955	2,001,463	0.770%	32.1797	114
1950	1,926,457	0.000%	30.9738	113

Major Cities in Latvia by Population

Rank	City	Population
1	Riga	742,461
2	Daugavpils	111,453
3	Liepaja	85,021
4	Jelgava	61,680
5	Jurmala	53,977
6	Ventspils	42,533
7	Rezekne	38,229
8	Jekabpils	26,967
9	Valmiera	26,852
10	Ogre	26,649
11	Tukums	18,237
12	Cesis	18,087
13	Salaspils	17,495
14	Bolderaja	14,660
15	Kuldiga	13,178
16	Olaine	12,473
17	Saldus	12,113
18	Talsi	11,911
19	Dobele	11,114
20	Kraslava	10,977
21	Bauska	10,421
22	Ludza	10,403
23	Sigulda	10,311
24	Livani	9,962
25	Daugavgriva	9,841
26	Gulbene	9,244
27	Madona	9,169
28	Limbazi	8,863
29	Aizkraukle	8,729
30	Preili	8,545
31	Balvi	8,298
32	Karosta	7,389
33	Krustpils	6,569
34	Valka	6,478
35	Smiltene	5,997
36	Aizpute	5,523
37	Lielvarde	5,003
38	Kekava	4,489
39	Grobina	4,092
40	Iecava	3,889
41	Vilani	3,823
42	Plavinas	3,737
43	Rujiena	3,527
44	Kandava	3,481
45	Broceni	3,375
46	Salacgriva	3,316
47	Ozolnieki	3,289
48	Ikskile	3,257
49	Saulkrasti	3,073
50	Auce	3,014
51	Pinki	2,922
52	Ilukste	2,787
53	Skriveri	2,768
54	Ulbroka	2,689
55	Dagda	2,629
56	Skrunda	2,548
57	Karsava	2,534
58	Priekule	2,439
59	Priekuli	2,421
60	Vecumnieki	2,376
61	Mazsalaca	2,301
62	Kegums	2,261
63	Aluksne	2,153
64	Ergli	2,075
65	Viesite	2,051
66	Varaklani	1,995
67	Incukalns	1,917
68	Baldone	1,914
69	Jaunjelgava	1,827
70	Lubana	1,807
71	Zilupe	1,786
72	Mersrags	1,749
73	Cesvaine	1,700
74	Roja	1,689
75	Strenci	1,482
76	Vilaka	1,414
77	Ape	1,410
78	Aloja	1,398
79	Ligatne	1,322
80	Akniste	1,203
81	Nereta	1,171
82	Pavilosta	1,060
83	Jaunpils	918
84	Alsunga	829
85	Smarde	623
86	Vecpiebalga	485
87	Rucava	436

Language

The official language is Latvian, which is the mother tongue for well over half of the population. The Russian-speaking minority makes up about 33 percent of the population (2011). The Finno-Ugric language livi, which has been spoken along the coastal strip in Kurland, is now dying out.

Religion

About 75 percent are Christians, of whom 36 percent are Protestants (most belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church, but there are also Baptists, Pentecostals, Adventists and Methodists), about 20 percent are Catholics, and 19 percent are Orthodox Christians. The Latvian Orthodox Church is independent, but has strong ties to the Moscow Patriarchate. About 24 percent are considered non-religious.

Latvia has traditionally been Lutheran since the Reformation, while Slavic immigrants have belonged to the Russian Orthodox Church. After Latvia was occupied by the Soviet Union in 1940, many churches were closed, and priests were imprisoned or sent into exile. After its release in 1991, religious organizations have regained freedom and regained property that had been confiscated.