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.

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.

The total population in Latvia was forecast to continuously decrease between 2024 and 2029 by in total 0.02 million people (-1.06 percent). The total population is estimated to amount to 1.86 million people in 2029. 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.Find more statistics on other topics about Latvia with key insights such as the growth of the real the gross domestic product, the ratio of government revenue to the gross domestic product, and the gross domestic product per capita.

Chart and table of Latvia population density from 1950 to 2025. United Nations projections are also included through the year 2100.

This dataset contains data on population by sex and age on the basis of the results of the Census Data of Latvia, which was carried out on 24 February 1930. Dataset "Latvian Population by Sex and Age in 1930 Census Data" was published implementing project "Historical Sociology of Modern Restorations: a Cross-Time Comparative Study of Post-Communist Transformation in the Baltic States" from 2018 to 2022. Project leader is prof. Zenonas Norkus. Project is funded by the European Social Fund according to the activity "Improvement of researchers' qualification by implementing world-class R&D projects' of Measure No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-712".

Population ages 20-24, female (% of female population) in Latvia was reported at 4.2328 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Latvia - Population ages 20-24, female (% of female population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

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.

Latvia Population: Age 15 to 74: Male data was reported at 663.600 Person th in Sep 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 664.700 Person th for Jun 2018. Latvia Population: Age 15 to 74: Male data is updated quarterly, averaging 758.912 Person th from Mar 2002 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 67 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 818.798 Person th in Mar 2002 and a record low of 663.600 Person th in Sep 2018. Latvia Population: Age 15 to 74: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Latvia – Table LV.G003: Labour Force Survey: Working Age Population.

Latvia LV: Population: Male: Ages 15-19: % of Male Population data was reported at 4.717 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.738 % for 2016. Latvia LV: Population: Male: Ages 15-19: % of Male Population data is updated yearly, averaging 7.851 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.047 % in 2004 and a record low of 4.717 % in 2017. Latvia LV: Population: Male: Ages 15-19: % of Male 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. Male population between the ages 15 to 19 as a percentage of the total male population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

Population ages 55-59, female (% of female population) in Latvia was reported at 6.7163 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Latvia - Population ages 55-59, female (% of female population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

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.

Population ages 15-19, female (% of female population) in Latvia was reported at 4.809 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Latvia - Population ages 15-19, female (% of female population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

LV: Mortality Rate: Infant per 1000 Births data was reported at 3.600 NA in 2050. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.700 NA for 2049. LV: Mortality Rate: Infant per 1000 Births data is updated yearly, averaging 5.050 NA from Jun 1989 (Median) to 2050, with 62 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 19.500 NA in 1995 and a record low of 3.600 NA in 2050. LV: Mortality Rate: Infant per 1000 Births 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.

There were 1 254 100 Facebook users in Latvia in June 2024, which accounted for 70.3% 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 ages 40-44, female (% of female population) in Latvia was reported at 6.177 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Latvia - Population ages 40-44, female (% of female population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

Latvia Population: Female data was reported at 1,044,738.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,054,433.000 Person for 2016. Latvia Population: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 1,232,055.000 Person from Dec 1989 (Median) to 2017, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,427,609.000 Person in 1989 and a record low of 1,044,738.000 Person in 2017. Latvia Population: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Latvia – Table LV.G001: Population: by Age and Sex.

Population ages 70-74, male (% of male population) in Latvia was reported at 4.0812 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Latvia - Population ages 70-74, male (% of male population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

There were 729 400 Instagram users in Latvia in February 2025, which accounted for 40.9% of its entire population. The majority of them were women - 61.8%. People aged 25 to 34 were the largest user group (213 200). The highest difference between men and women occurs within people aged 35 to 44, where women lead by 62 900.

Latvia - Proportion of population aged 50-64 years was 20.80% in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Latvia - Proportion of population aged 50-64 years - last updated from the EUROSTAT on March of 2025. Historically, Latvia - Proportion of population aged 50-64 years reached a record high of 20.90% in December of 2022 and a record low of 18.80% in December of 2010.

This statistic shows the age structure in Latvia from 2013 to 2023. In 2023, about 15.69 percent of Latvia's total population were aged 0 to 14 years.