Latvia (Republic of Latvia)

Latvia Republic of Latvia
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	40th best
Capital	Riga
Land Area	62 200km21
Location	Europe, Baltic States
Population	1.9m2
Life Expectancy	73.58yrs (2017)3
GNI	$32 803 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	LV, LVA, 4285
Internet Domain	.lv6
Currency	Euro (EUR)7
Telephone	+3718

1. Overview
2. Latvia National and Social Development
3. Latvia's Demographics and Migration
4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
5. Latvia's Health
   1. Health Datasets
   2. Children's Health Datasets
6. Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. Latvia's Modernity and Learning
   1. Modernity Datasets
   2. Education Datasets
   3. Technology and Information Datasets
8. Latvia's Culture, Peace and Inequality
   1. National Culture Datasets
   2. Peace Versus Instability Datasets
   3. Economic Inequality and Poverty Datasets
9. Religion and Beliefs
10. Links

---

1. Overview

#germany #russia #sweden

“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.). 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 28% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.”

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“If you´ve an appetite for Europe´s lesser-known lights, a taste of Latvian life with its full-voiced choirs and art nouveau architecture should stimulate the senses. Tucked between Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south, Latvia is the meat in the Baltic sandwich, the savoury middle, loaded with colourful fixings. Thick greens take the form of Gauja Valley pine forests peppered with castle ruins. Onion-domed Orthodox cathedrals cross the land from salty Liepaja to gritty Daugavpils. Cheesy Russian pop blares along the beach in Jurmala. And spicy Riga adds an extra zing as the country´s cosmopolitan nexus, and unofficial capital of the entire Baltic region.

Latvians often wax poetic about their country, calling it `the land that sings´. It seems to be in the genes; locals are blessed with unusually pleasant voices, and their canon of traditional tunes is the power source for their indomitable spirit. Latvians literally sang for their freedom from the USSR in a series of dramatic protests known as the `Singing Revolution´, and today the nation holds the Song and Dance Festival every five years, which unites thousands upon thousands of singers from across the land in splendid harmony.”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Latvia National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better Value11
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
36=	Bahrain	0.875
36=	Lithuania	0.875
38	Portugal	0.866
39	Latvia	0.863
40=	Andorra	0.858
40=	Croatia	0.858
42=	Chile	0.855
42=	Qatar	0.855
	Europe Avg	0.87
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $11
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
40	Lithuania	$37 931
41	Portugal	$33 155
42	Poland	$33 034
43	Latvia	$32 803
44	Hungary	$32 789
45	Turkey	$31 033
46	Slovakia	$30 690
47	Bahamas	$30 486
	Europe Avg	$40 512
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index12
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank12
1	Denmark	27.2
2	Norway	29.2
3	Sweden	30.2
	...
37	San Marino	56.8
38	Estonia	56.9
39	Israel	61.9
40	Latvia	62.1
41	Chile	62.9
42	Croatia	63.6
43	USA	64.1
44	Lithuania	64.2
	Europe Avg	57.3
	World Avg	89.2
q=200.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Latvia's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen

Population Datasets:

Latvia's population is predicted to rise to 2.073 million by 2030. This rise is despite a low fertility rate, meaning, that this country is helping to alleviate problems with growing population in neighbouring countries by accepting immigrants, very likely as a requirement of maintaining an active workforce. This country has a fertility rate of 1.47. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate (two new children for each set of parents who die), which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1, once you take mortality into account₁₃. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₄

Population2
Pos.		2018 Population2
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
145	Lesotho	2.1m
146	Macedonia	2.1m
147	Slovenia	2.1m
148	Latvia	1.9m
149	Guinea-Bissau	1.9m
150	Bahrain	1.6m
151	Trinidad & Tobago	1.4m
152	Estonia	1.3m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
76	Cuba	73.7
77	Ecuador	73.7
78	Vietnam	73.6
79	Latvia	73.6
80	Mauritius	73.6
81	Palestine	73.5
82	N. Korea	73.3
83	Trinidad & Tobago	73.0
	World Avg	71.28
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best15
Pos.		202215
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
89	Belarus	1.50
90	Netherlands	1.49
91	Uruguay	1.48
92=	Latvia	1.47
92=	Liechtenstein	1.47
94	Channel Islands	1.47
95	Germany	1.46
96	Guam	2.55
	World Avg	2.47
q=208. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better16
Pos.		2016 Per 10016
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
159	Cuba	36.2
160	Poland	36.3
161	Singapore	36.5
162	Latvia	36.7
163=	Sweden	37.0
163=	Bulgaria	37.0
165	Denmark	37.1
166	Bosnia & Herzegovina	37.3
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

• The Population of the Earth
• Abortion, Birth Control and Contraception

Migration Datasets:

Immigrants17
Pos.		2017 %17
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
40	Seychelles	13.6%
41	Croatia	13.4%
42	UK	13.4%
43	Latvia	13.2%
44	Spain	12.8%
45	Iceland	12.5%
46	Libya	12.4%
47	France	12.2%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants18
Pos.		2010 %18
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
52	Bahamas	12.8%
53	Estonia	12.6%
54	Nicaragua	12.5%
55	Latvia	12.3%
56	Luxembourg	11.8%
57	Jordan	11.3%
58	Kyrgyzstan	11.2%
59	Tajikistan	11.2%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #Latvia #latvia_human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)19
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank19
1	Sweden	7.5
2	Netherlands	8.6
3	Denmark	9.0
	...
37	Greece	51.4
38	San Marino	52.9
39	Brazil	53.1
40	Latvia	55.2
41	Liechtenstein	55.3
42	Croatia	55.7
	Europe Avg	52.39
	World Avg	90.04
q=198.

Latvia performs very well in ensuring human rights and freedom compared to most other countries. Latvia comes in the best 20 in commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₂₀ and in supporting press freedom₂₁. It does better than average in opposing gender inequality₂₂ (but high for Europe), combatting modern slavery₂₃, its average Freedom in the World rating, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₂₄, freethought₂₅, LGBT equality in the 2020s₂₆ and in its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₇ (but bad for Europe).

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Human Rights and Freedom in Latvia

5. Latvia's Health

#health

Compared to Europe (2025)28
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank28
1	Monaco	10.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	San Marino	42.3
	...
36	Estonia	83.2
37	Serbia	84.1
38	Armenia	85.3
39	Latvia	85.5
40	Lithuania	85.5
41	Romania	87.5
42	Bosnia & Herzegovina	90.7
43	Turkey	94.2
44	Georgia	94.8
	Europe Avg	68.59
q=48.

Health (2025)28
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank28
1	Monaco	10.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Japan	40.8
	...
78	Armenia	85.3
79	St Vincent & Grenadines	85.3
80	Jamaica	85.4
81	Latvia	85.5
82	Lithuania	85.5
83	Morocco	85.7
84	Russia	86.8
85	Romania	87.5
	World Avg	97.39
q=207.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and Japan₂₉. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are Angola, Somalia and S. Sudan₂₉.

42 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, obesity rate, its adolescent birth rate, delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations, delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 and childhood mortality. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Mediterranean₂₉, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Melanesia₂₉.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

5.1. Health Datasets

#2010s #alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #latvia #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #smoking #suicide

Latvia has some poor policies and cultural issues which cause some public health problems. Latvia does better than average in terms of childhood mortality in the 2020s₃₀, delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations in the 2020s₃₁, its adolescent birth rate₃₂ (but bad for Europe), its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₃ (but high for Europe), its average life expectancy₁₁ (but bad for Europe) and in its fertility rate₁₅. But, things still need to improve in Latvia. Latvia does worse than average in delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015₃₄. And finally, it falls into the worst-performing 20 in its smoking rate₃₅, the prevalence of overweight adults₃₆ (amongst the highest in Europe), its suicide rate₃₇ and in its alcohol consumption rate₃₈. The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the past 40 years. Life expectancy in Latvia improved by +6.3yrs in the 30 years from 1990, less than the global average of +7.9yrs. Latvia had the lowest average fertility rate in the world throughout the 1960s (at 1.8). It has had a long-term consistent fertility rate, and is one of only 22 countries to vary by less than 1.0 each decade since the 1960s. Its peak fertility rate in a single year was 2.15 in 1987.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
76	Cuba	73.7
77	Ecuador	73.7
78	Vietnam	73.6
79	Latvia	73.6
80	Mauritius	73.6
81	Palestine	73.5
82	N. Korea	73.3
83	Trinidad & Tobago	73.0
	Europe Avg	78.36
	World Avg	71.28
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better38
Pos.		2016 Per Capita38
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
179=	France	12.6
180=	Romania	12.7
180=	Bulgaria	12.7
182	Latvia	12.9
183=	Luxembourg	13.0
183=	Ireland	13.0
185=	Nigeria	13.4
185=	Germany	13.4
	Europe Avg	10.3
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best15
Pos.		202215
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
89	Belarus	1.50
90	Netherlands	1.49
91	Uruguay	1.48
92=	Latvia	1.47
92=	Liechtenstein	1.47
94	Channel Islands	1.47
95	Germany	1.46
96	Guam	2.55
	Europe Avg	1.53
	World Avg	2.47
q=208. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Smoking in the 2020s Lower is better35
Pos.		Smoking in the 2020s %35
1	Nigeria	3.3%
2	Ghana	3.4%
3	Panama	5.2%
	...
146	Greece	32.7%
147	Bangladesh	33.0%
148	Tuvalu	33.7%
149	Latvia	33.9%
150	Lebanon	34.3%
151	France	34.6%
152=	Jordan	35.6%
152=	Cyprus	35.6%
	Europe Avg	27.0%
	World Avg	20.0%
q=165. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Suicide Rate in the 2010s Lower is better37
Pos.		Suicide Rate in the 2010s Per 100k37
1=	Jordan	1.00
1=	Sao Tome & Principe	1.00
1=	Antigua & Barbuda	1.00
	...
171	Kiribati	20.28
172	Solomon Islands	20.62
173	Hungary	20.94
174	Latvia	20.98
175	Micronesia	21.06
176	Kazakhstan	22.48
177	Ukraine	23.49
178	Belarus	24.43
	Europe Avg	12.94
	World Avg	9.24
q=185. Also scored for 2000s-2010s.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
67	Belarus	67
68	Brunei	68
69	Paraguay	69
70	Latvia	70
71	Liberia	71
72	Kazakhstan	72
73	Egypt	73
74=	Burundi	74
	Europe Avg	47.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better36
Pos.		1976 %36
1	Bangladesh	4.7
2	Vietnam	5.1
3	Nepal	5.4
	...
170=	Belgium	43.9
170=	Estonia	43.9
172	Hungary	44.0
173	Latvia	44.1
174	Bahrain	44.9
175	UAE	45.5
176	Israel	46.8
177	Andorra	47.0
	Europe Avg	38.2
	World Avg	27.1
q=191.

Adult Obesity Lower is better39
Pos.		2022 %39
1	Vietnam	2.1%
2	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.2%
3	Ethiopia	2.4%
	...
129	Dominican Rep.	29.1%
130	Trinidad & Tobago	29.2%
131	Ukraine	29.2%
132	Latvia	29.8%
133	El Salvador	29.9%
134	S. Africa	30.0%
135	Oman	30.2%
136	Seychelles	30.3%
	Europe Avg	25.9%
	World Avg	24.7%
q=199. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

5.2. Children's Health Datasets

#children's_health #health #parenting #population #vaccines

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better32
Pos.		2022 Per 100032
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
	...
47	Lithuania	9.7
48	Montenegro	9.7
49	UK	10.0
50	Latvia	10.5
51	China	11.1
52	Belarus	11.2
53	Malta	11.5
54	Algeria	11.6
	Europe Avg	11.4
	World Avg	43.8
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Higher is better31
Pos.		Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Avg %31
1=	Luxembourg	99.0
1=	Oman	99.0
1=	Niue	99.0
	...
40	Palau	97.4
41=	Seychelles	97.3
41=	Sri Lanka	97.3
41=	Latvia	97.3
41=	Tajikistan	97.3
45	Denmark	97.2
46=	Fiji	97.1
46=	Ghana	97.1
	Europe Avg	93.2
	World Avg	88.5
q=211. Also scored for 1980s-2020s.

7x Infant Immunizations (2011-2015) Higher is better34
Pos.		2015 Avg %34
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
96	New Zealand	92.9
97	Nauru	92.9
98	USA	92.8
99	Latvia	92.8
100	Romania	92.7
101	France	92.6
102=	El Salvador	92.4
102=	Swaziland	92.4
	Europe Avg	92.7
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

Infant Mortality (2020s) Lower is better30
Pos.		Infant Mortality (2020s) Per 100030
1	San Marino	2.11
2	Finland	2.59
3	Luxembourg	2.60
	...
35	Poland	5.05
36	Hungary	5.12
37	Canada	5.40
38	Latvia	5.56
39	New Zealand	5.66
40	Cuba	6.25
41	Slovakia	6.31
42	Serbia	6.52
	Europe Avg	6.30
	World Avg	32.19
q=195. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

6. Responsibility Towards The Environment

#climate_change #environmentalism #internationalism #Latvia #Latvia_environment #latvia_environmentalism #the_environment

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)40
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank40
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
	...
82	Botswana	76.8
83	Syria	77.4
84	Congo, (Brazzaville)	77.6
85	Latvia	77.7
86	Egypt	78.0
87	Argentina	78.5
	Europe Avg	82.54
	World Avg	84.93
q=199.

With respect to its responsibility towards the environment, Latvia ranks 85th in the world. This is computed from 21 data sets. Latvia comes in the best 20 in terms of its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment. It does better than average in its environmental performance₄₁ (but bad for Europe), its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₂ and in energy to GDP efficiency₄₃. Latvia doesn't do so well in other areas. Latvia does worse than average for reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₄. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₅.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Latvia's Responsibility Towards The Environment

7. Latvia's Modernity and Learning

#education #modernity #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2025)46
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank46
1	Finland	6.1
2	Iceland	8.1
3	Denmark	8.8
	...
20	Italy	27.5
21	Monaco	30.0
22	Slovakia	30.0
23	Latvia	30.1
24	Liechtenstein	31.7
25	Kosovo	31.9
26	Lithuania	33.2
27	Greece	37.4
28	Romania	38.7
	Europe Avg	34.74
q=48.

Modernity & Learning (2025)46
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank46
1	Finland	6.1
2	Iceland	8.1
3	Denmark	8.8
	...
27	Canada	28.7
28	Monaco	30.0
29	Slovakia	30.0
30	Latvia	30.1
31	Israel	31.2
32	Liechtenstein	31.7
33	Kosovo	31.9
34	Lithuania	33.2
	World Avg	84.96
q=197.

The most modern countries, with the best results from education, the highest levels of research, and with the easiest access to information on the Internet, are Finland, Iceland and Denmark₄₇. The worst countries are S. Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia₄₇. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₄₈.

“Education, at all levels and ages, is the single most vital support for equality as well as being a country's most vital economic and social resource. [...] Every successful aspirant to modernisation and economic development, from Japan to South Korea, China to Chile, has got there with a big emphasis on education.”

Bill Emmott (2017)₄₉

27 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on Research and Development, Intellectual Endeavours, metric system adoption rate, Religiosity, IQ, Secondary Education, Length of Schooling, Maths, Science & Reading, the percent of citizens with access to the internet, Freedom On The Internet, IT Security, IPv6 Uptake and digital quality of life. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₄₇, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₄₇.

For more, see:

• " Which Countries are Most Modern, With the Best Education and Internet Access?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

7.1. Modernity Datasets

#intelligence #metric #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2950
2	Israel	4.1150
3	Japan	3.5850
	...
51	Mali	0.6651
52	Bulgaria	0.6552
53	Ethiopia	0.6152
54	Latvia	0.6052
55=	Gabon	0.5853
55=	Argentina	0.5854
57=	Mexico	0.5450
57=	Senegal	0.5451
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
10	Slovenia	10
11	Switzerland	11
12	New Zealand	12
13	Latvia	13
14	Bulgaria	14
15	Iceland	15
16	Bosnia & Herzegovina	16
17	Sweden	17
	Europe Avg	31.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Metric System Adoption Rate Higher is better55
Pos.		2025 %55
1=	Slovakia	100
1=	Poland	100
1=	Portugal	100
	...
69=	India	95
69=	S. Korea	95
69=	Kyrgyzstan	95
69=	Latvia	95
69=	Lebanon	95
69=	Russia	95
69=	Slovenia	95
69=	Peru	95
	Europe Avg	97
	World Avg	92
q=187. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

Officially adopted metric in 1922, as part of the USSR. Progression:

• 1960 (90%): USSR metric standards in official sectors.
• 1970 (95%): Further standardization.
• 1980 (95%): High completeness.
• 2000 (95%): Post-independence continuity; EU alignment.
• 2025 (95%).

Religiosity Lower is better56
Pos.		2018 %56
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
8=	Sweden	10
8=	Japan	10
8=	Finland	10
11=	Latvia	11
11=	France	11
11=	Belgium	11
14	Austria	12
15	Hungary	14
	Europe Avg	25.8
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

IQ Higher is better57
Pos.		200657
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
27=	Australia	98
27=	Denmark	98
27=	USA	98
27=	Latvia	98
27=	Hungary	98
32=	Ukraine	97
32=	Russia	97
32=	Belarus	97
	Europe Avg	96.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

7.2. Education Datasets

#education #english #maths #science

Secondary Education Higher is better58
Pos.		201858
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
7	Uzbekistan	99.9%
8	Czechia	99.8%
9	Slovakia	99.3%
10	Latvia	99.2%
11	Kazakhstan	98.6%
12	Kyrgyzstan	98.4%
13	Georgia	98.0%
14	Slovenia	97.6%
	Europe Avg	88.3%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better59
Pos.		2021 Years59
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
31	USA	16.3
32	Italy	16.2
33	Czechia	16.2
34	Latvia	16.2
35	Saudi Arabia	16.1
36	Israel	16.1
37	Tonga	16.0
38	Poland	16.0
	Europe Avg	16.1
	World Avg	13.5
q=193. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better60
Pos.		2015 Score60
1	Singapore	1655
2	Hong Kong	1598
3	Japan	1586
	...
29	Spain	1475
30	Czechia	1472
31	USA	1463
32	Latvia	1460
33	Italy	1456
34	Luxembourg	1450
35	Iceland	1443
36	Croatia	1426
	Europe Avg	1417
	World Avg	1389
q=70.

7.3. Technology and Information Datasets

#it_security #modernity #technology #the_internet

Internet Users (2020s) Higher is better
Pos.		Internet Users (2020s)
1=	Iceland	99%
1=	Kuwait	99%
1=	UAE	99%
	...
33	USA	92%
34	Chile	91%
35	Estonia	91%
36	Latvia	91%
37	Kazakhstan	91%
38	Cyprus	91%
39	Russia	90%
40	Hungary	90%
	Europe Avg	88.3%
	World Avg	67.8%
q=188. Also scored for 1990s-2020s.

IT Security Lower is better61
Pos.		201361
1=	Ireland	0.11
1=	Luxembourg	0.11
1=	Belize	0.11
	...
12	Argentina	0.27
13	Hungary	0.27
14	Peru	0.30
15	Latvia	0.33
16	Pakistan	0.38
17	Taiwan	0.44
18	Sweden	0.44
19	Romania	0.52
	Europe Avg	0.80
	World Avg	0.98

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better62
Pos.		2017 Ratio62
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
39	Denmark	3.1
40	Bosnia & Herzegovina	3.1
41	Sri Lanka	2.9
42	Latvia	2.2
43	Israel	1.8
44	Italy	1.7
45	Argentina	1.4
46	Faroe Islands	1.4
	Europe Avg	8.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better63
Pos.		202463
1	Germany	77.9%
2	Finland	76.9%
3	France	73.9%
	...
25	Canada	63.4%
26	Italy	63.3%
27	Czechia	63.2%
28	Latvia	63.2%
29	Portugal	62.8%
30	Slovenia	62.3%
31	Cyprus	61.6%
32	New Zealand	61.1%
	Europe Avg	61.0%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

8. Latvia's Culture, Peace and Inequality

#charitability #culture #equality #human_development #inequality #peace

Compared to Europe (2025)64
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank64
1	Denmark	10.4
2	Netherlands	11.8
3	Finland	12.2
	...
24	Estonia	41.4
25	Slovakia	43.0
26	Croatia	51.6
27	Latvia	52.2
28	Lithuania	52.9
29	Greece	54.8
30	Bulgaria	60.4
31	Romania	62.2
32	Albania	63.3
	Europe Avg	46.24
q=44.

Culture, Peace & Inequality (2025)64
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank64
1	Denmark	10.4
2	Netherlands	11.8
3	Finland	12.2
	...
39	Uruguay	51.4
40	Croatia	51.6
41	Barbados	51.9
42	Latvia	52.2
43	Lithuania	52.9
44	Greece	54.8
45	Chile	54.9
46	Israel	56.6
	World Avg	80.47
q=183.

This is the final pillar of the Social and Moral Development Index; it has 39 datasets, including multiple decades of data on resisting corruption, Creativity and Culture, overall happiness, Open Trading, Aid and Development, passport utility (so far), personal financial stability, World Giving Index, its Global Peace Index rating, Peacekeeping and Security, Refugees and UN Treaties, the impact of terrorism, poverty (so far), life expectancy inequality, Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) and Multidimensional Poverty.

For more, see:

• "Which are the Countries for International Contributions, Creativity, Peace and Inequality?" by Vexen Crabtree (2026).

8.1. National Culture Datasets

#charity #corruption #freedom #happiness #internationalism #morals #politics

Latvia only has an adequate long-term record on corruption, but in the ten years from 2012 has made improvements.

Corruption Higher is better65
Pos.		2022 Points65
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
36=	Spain	60.0
36=	St Vincent & Grenadines	60.0
36=	Botswana	60.0
39	Latvia	59.0
40	Qatar	58.0
41=	Czechia	56.0
41=	Georgia	56.0
41=	Italy	56.0
	Europe Avg	57.61
	World Avg	42.98
q=180. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
14	France	14
15	Germany	15
16	Slovenia	16
17	Latvia	17
18	Barbados	18
19	Hungary	19
20	Slovakia	20
21	Poland	21
	Europe Avg	35.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Happiness Higher is better66
Pos.		2024 Score66
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
	...
48	Malta	6.3
49	Thailand	6.2
50	Slovakia	6.2
51	Latvia	6.2
52	Oman	6.2
53	Uzbekistan	6.2
54	Paraguay	6.2
55	Japan	6.1
	Europe Avg	6.37
	World Avg	5.58
q=147. Also scored for 2010s.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
77	Slovenia	77
78	Guatemala	78
79	Tonga	79
80	Latvia	80
81	Romania	81
82	Costa Rica	82
83	Kuwait	83
84	Belarus	84
	Europe Avg	42.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Passport Reach (2020s) Higher is better67
Pos.		Passport Reach (2020s) Q67
1	Singapore	192.2
2	Japan	192.0
3	S. Korea	190.7
	...
28	Poland	184.0
29	Lithuania	183.0
30	Slovakia	182.8
31=	Latvia	182.2
31=	Slovenia	182.2
31=	Estonia	182.2
34	Iceland	181.2
35	Malaysia	179.8
	Europe Avg	160.7
	World Avg	108.8
q=195. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Personal Financial Stability in the 2020s Higher is better68
Pos.		Personal Financial Stability in the 2020s Score68
1	Denmark	9.06
2	Switzerland	9.00
3	Finland	8.96
	...
32	Israel	7.85
33	Slovenia	7.83
34	UAE	7.79
35	Latvia	7.76
36	Cape Verde	7.76
37	Mauritius	7.76
38	Chile	7.75
39	Romania	7.72
	Europe Avg	7.65
	World Avg	6.46
q=165.

World Giving Index Higher is better69
Pos.		2022 %69
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
110=	Romania	30.0
110=	Algeria	30.0
112=	Pakistan	29.0
112=	Latvia	29.0
112=	Italy	29.0
112=	Armenia	29.0
116	Tunisia	28.0
117	Laos	27.0
	Europe Avg	39.0
	World Avg	39.6
q=125. Also scored for 2010s.

8.2. Peace Versus Instability Datasets

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index Lower is better70
Pos.		2023 Score70
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
24	Norway	1.55
25	Estonia	1.56
26	Slovakia	1.58
27	Latvia	1.58
28	Sweden	1.63
29	Poland	1.63
30	Bulgaria	1.64
31=	Spain	1.65
	Europe Avg	1.70
	World Avg	2.07
q=163. Also scored for 2010s.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
101	Niger	101
102	Lesotho	102
103	Antigua & Barbuda	103
104	Latvia	104
105	Laos	105
106	Mozambique	106
107	Poland	107
108	Ukraine	108
	Europe Avg	84.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
67=	Kyrgyzstan	66
68	Iran	68
69	Malawi	69
70	Latvia	70
71	Guatemala	71
72	Estonia	72
73	Guinea-Bissau	73
74	Albania	74
	Europe Avg	37.8
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better71
Pos.		2019 Score71
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
31	Dominican Rep.	0.18
32	Hungary	0.18
33	Switzerland	0.19
34	Latvia	0.23
35	S. Korea	0.30
36	Macedonia	0.30
37	Zambia	0.31
38	Djibouti	0.32
	Europe Avg	1.62
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

8.3. Economic Inequality and Poverty Datasets

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #poverty #social_development

Poverty (2020s) Lower is better72
Pos.		Poverty (2020s) %72
1	Malaysia	0.01%
2	Bhutan	0.01%
3	Cyprus	0.02%
	...
29	Tonga	0.41%
30	Mongolia	0.44%
31	Slovakia	0.45%
32	Latvia	0.47%
33	UK	0.50%
34	Iraq	0.55%
35	Austria	0.60%
36	Tunisia	0.65%
	Europe Avg	1.20%
	World Avg	11.40%
q=106. Also scored for 1980s-2020s.

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better73
Pos.		201973
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
39	Cuba	5.10
40	UAE	5.20
41=	Bosnia & Herzegovina	5.40
41=	Latvia	5.40
43=	Lithuania	5.50
43=	Bahrain	5.50
45	Qatar	5.70
46	Kuwait	5.90
	Europe Avg	4.86
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better74
Pos.		2023 %74
1	Slovakia	24.1%75
2	Slovenia	24.3%75
3	Belarus	24.4%76
	...
74	Sudan	34.2%77
75=	Australia	34.3%78
75=	Montenegro	34.3%75
75=	Latvia	34.3%75
78	Benin	34.4%75
79	Portugal	34.6%75
80=	Iran	34.8%79
80=	Italy	34.8%75
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167. Also scored for 1980s-2010s.

9. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religion_in_latvia #religiosity #secularisation

Religiosity (2018)56
Pos.		Lower is better %56
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
8=	Sweden	10
8=	Japan	10
8=	Finland	10
11=	Latvia	11
11=	France	11
11=	Belgium	11
14	Austria	12
15	Hungary	14
16	Albania	15
17=	Lithuania	16
17=	S. Korea	16
17=	Russia	16
20=	Australia	18
20=	Vietnam	18
22=	Bulgaria	19
22=	Norway	19
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

Disbelief In God (2007)80
Pos.		Higher is better %80
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
21	Taiwan	24
22=	New Zealand	22
22=	Canada	22
24=	Latvia	20
24=	Ukraine	20
24=	Mongolia	20
27	Austria	18
28=	Slovakia	17
28=	Switzerland	17
28=	Belarus	17
31=	Greece	16
31=	Iceland	16
33=	Spain	15
33=	Israel	15
35	Armenia	14
36=	Lithuania	13
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Pew Forum polling over the decades has found the following adherency rates:₈₁:

	2010	2020
Christian	82.9%	77.3%
Unaffiliated	11%	17%
Other	5.02%	4.75%
Muslim	0.701%	0.67%
Jewish	0.309%	0.227%
Buddhist	<0.1%	<0.1%
Hindu	<0.1%	<0.1%

It appears that when asked "What religion are you" many give pollsters the 'correct' answer despite how they actually feel, and despite what they actually believe. Although 83% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 11% say that they are religious when the question is phrased as "Is religion an important part of your daily life?".

For more on this phenomenon, see:

• "Institutionalized Religions Have Their Numbers Inflated by National Polls" by Vexen Crabtree (2009)

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Lutheran 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, other Christian 1%, other 0.4%, unspecified 63.7% (2006)₈₂.

Freedom of Religion and Belief:

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Secularisation Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?
• Human Rights and Freedom in Latvia: 4.3. Freedom of Thought