Since 1950 there has been a relatively large difference in the number of males and females in Latvia, particularly when put in context with the total overall population. The number of women exceeds the number of men by over 260 thousand in 1950, which is one of the long-term effects of the Second World War. During the war, Latvia lost approximately 12.5 percent of its overall population, an the number of women was already higher than men before this, however the war caused this gap in population to widen much further. From 1950 onwards both male and female populations grow, and by 1990 the gap has shrunk down to 180,000 people. In 1990 Latvia gained it's independence from the Soviet Union, and from this point both populations begin to decline, falling to 870 thousand men in 2020, and just over one million women, with a difference of 150 thousand people.

In 1800, the population of Latvia was approximately 591,000, a number which would grow steadily throughout the 19th century as reforms in agrarian law and steady improvements in standards of living and production allowed for a significant expansion in population. However, the population of Latvia would peak at just under 2.5 million in 1909, before falling sharply in the First World War. As the battlefield between the German and Russian Empires, Latvia and the other Baltic states were the site of widespread combat, attacks on civilians, and scorched earth campaigns, devastating the country. Even many of those who did not lose their lives in the war were forced to evacuate under orders from the Russian Empire, leading hundreds of thousands to flea eastward. As a result, by the end of the First World War, the population of Latvia would fall to approximately 1.8 million, and would not recover to pre-war population levels until the 1980s.

Following the end of the First World War, Latvia's population would remain largely stagnant at this level, rising slightly before falling back down in the Second World War. However, population growth would increase rapidly in the post-war years, as rapid industrialization by the Soviet Union and sharp decreases in mortality as mass immunization and vaccination would allow for the population to return to pre-World War levels by the 1980s. Latvia's population would begin to decline rapidly with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, however, as significant unemployment and economic turmoil would lead large numbers of Latvians to migrate west to the European Union in search of work, particularly so following Latvia's inclusion into the Schengen Area in 2003. As a result, in 2020, Latvia is estimated to have a population of just under 1.9 million.

The total population in Latvia was estimated at 1.9 million people in 2024, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. This dataset provides - Latvia Population - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Latvia LV: Population: Female: Ages 35-39: % of Female Population data was reported at 6.067 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 6.038 % for 2016. Latvia LV: Population: Female: Ages 35-39: % of Female Population data is updated yearly, averaging 6.809 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.295 % in 1963 and a record low of 6.037 % in 2015. Latvia LV: Population: Female: Ages 35-39: % of Female Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Latvia – Table LV.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population between the ages 35 to 39 as a percentage of the total female population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

Historical chart and dataset showing total population for Latvia by year from 1950 to 2025.

In 2024, the total population of Latvia amounted to approximately 1.87 million people. Between 1992 and 2024, the figure dropped by around 810 thousand people, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory. The total population is forecast to decline by about 20 thousand people from 2024 to 2030, fluctuating as it trends downward.This indicator describes the total population in the country at hand. This total population of the country consists of all persons falling within the scope of the census.

Historical dataset showing Latvia population density by year from 1992 to 2022.

Population ages 65 and above (% of total population) in Latvia was reported at 21.74 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Latvia - Population ages 65 and above (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Population, Total for Latvia (POPTOTLVA647NWDB) from 1960 to 2023 about Latvia and population.

Graph and download economic data for Population Growth for Latvia (SPPOPGROWLVA) from 1961 to 2024 about Latvia, population, and rate.

Latvia LV: Population Projection: Mid Year data was reported at 1,249,812.000 Person in 2050. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,269,430.000 Person for 2049. Latvia LV: Population Projection: Mid Year data is updated yearly, averaging 2,115,183.000 Person from Jun 1950 (Median) to 2050, with 101 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,667,309.000 Person in 1989 and a record low of 1,249,812.000 Person in 2050. Latvia LV: Population Projection: Mid Year data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Latvia – Table LV.US Census Bureau: Demographic Projection.

Key information about Latvia population

• The Latvia population reached 1.9 million people in Dec 2023, compared with the previously reported figure of 1.9 million people in Dec 2022
• The data reached an all-time high of 2.7 million people in Dec 1989 and a record low of 1.9 million people in Dec 2023

• In the latest reports, Latvia Unemployment Rate dropped to 6.8 % in Apr 2024
• Monthly earnings of the Latvia population was 1,814.2 USD in Mar 2024
• Latvia Labour Force Participation Rate increased to 68.9 % in Mar 2024

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

Households Individuals

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Abstract

The aim of the 2000 Population and Housing Census was to obtain all-round and unbiased information on the number, composition, occupation, sources of livelihood of the population, as well as their dwellings and other indicators included in the Census Programme in each city and pagasts in a situation when economic situation, structure of population and demographic processes have drastically changed. The necessity to carry out the census was also caused by the fact that 11 years had elapsed since the previous census of population carried out in 1989.

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

Households Individuals

Universe

The 2000 Population Census recorded - persons who were registered in the Population Register of the Republic of Latvia, - persons who for some reason were not registered in the Register, but had to be, inhabitants of Latvia who had not changed passports for the new ones at the critical moment and there was no stamp from the Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs containing an identity code, - as well as children not yet registered in the Population Register - and persons who had died after the critical census moment.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Law on Population Census, - persons with no identity code and without the registration address of residence in Latvia, - persons who were registered in the Population Register, but reside abroad more than a year, - persons who had arrived in the country with an objective to stay in Latvia less than a year, - children born after the critical census moment - and persons who had died before the critical moment were not recorded at the 2000 Census.

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The methodology of the census and the range of questions included were developed in compliance with the recommendations of the international organisations . UN Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) and Eurostat, as well as the requirements of the state, local government and other data users. The Person Questionnaire and Household Questionnaire are available as external resources.

Data appraisal

From 11 May to 10 June 2000, an important activity to ensure the quality of the population census was conducted - in selected territories people were repeatedly visited at their dwellings in order to check the correctness of the data of Census questionnaires. Using mathematical methods, 1 % of all census enumeration areas were selected, where this work was carried out. At the same time, using the most recent developments in information technology and the corresponding provision with software, an electronic archive for the images of the basic census documents was developed.

Latvia population density for 2022 was 30.20, a 0.27% decline from 2021.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Latvia population density for 2021 was <strong>30.28</strong>, a <strong>0.84% decline</strong> from 2020.</li>
<li>Latvia population density for 2020 was <strong>30.54</strong>, a <strong>0.7% decline</strong> from 2019.</li>
<li>Latvia population density for 2019 was <strong>30.76</strong>, a <strong>0.69% decline</strong> from 2018.</li>
</ul>Population density is midyear population divided by land area in square kilometers. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship--except for refugees not permanently settled in the country of asylum, who are generally considered part of the population of their country of origin. Land area is a country's total area, excluding area under inland water bodies, national claims to continental shelf, and exclusive economic zones. In most cases the definition of inland water bodies includes major rivers and lakes.

There were 1 254 100 Facebook users in Latvia in January 2025, which accounted for 70.6% of its entire population. The majority of them were women - 57.4%. People aged 25 to 34 were the largest user group (283 400). The highest difference between men and women occurs within people aged 65 and above, where women lead by 34 000.

Population, female in Latvia was reported at 1007833 Persons in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Latvia - Population, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

In 2020, the median age of the Latvian population was around 42.8 years. To compare, in 2100, it was forecast to exceed 50 years. The median age is the age that divides a population into two numerically equal groups; that is, half the people are younger than this age and half are older. It is a single index that summarizes the age distribution of a population.

Population ages 65 and above, female in Latvia was reported at 265198 Persons in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Latvia - Population ages 65 and above, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Population ages 00-04, male (% of male population) in Latvia was reported at 5.1588 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Latvia - Population ages 0-4, male (% of male population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.