Latvia (Republic of Latvia)

Latvia Republic of Latvia
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	41st 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
6. Latvia's Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. Latvia's Modernity and Learning
8. National Culture
9. Peace Versus Instability
10. Economic Inequality and Poverty
11. Religion and Beliefs
12. Links

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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=	Lithuania	0.875
36=	Saudi Arabia	0.875
38	Portugal	0.866
39	Latvia	0.863
40=	Croatia	0.858
40=	Andorra	0.858
42	Qatar	0.855
43=	Chile	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	27.4
2	Norway	27.6
3	Sweden	30.4
	...
38	Greece	58.9
39	Singapore	59.2
40	Barbados	59.7
41	Latvia	61.0
42	Lithuania	61.1
43	Croatia	62.2
44	Romania	63.9
45	Bulgaria	64.1
	Europe Avg	57.5
	World Avg	89.7
q=198.

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:

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. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₃

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.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		202214
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.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better15
Pos.		2016 Per 10015
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:

Immigrants16
Pos.		2017 %16
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.

Emigrants17
Pos.		2010 %17
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)18
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank18
1	Sweden	8.5
2	Denmark	13.5
3	Norway	13.5
	...
36	Bulgaria	46.8
37	Hong Kong	46.8
38	USA	47.6
39	Latvia	51.7
40	Lithuania	52.2
41	Brazil	54.0
	Europe Avg	51.0
	World Avg	87.8
q=200.

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 reports₁₉. It does better than average for supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₀, supporting press freedom₂₁, opposing gender inequality₂₂ (but high for Europe), its average Freedom in the World rating, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₂₃, freethought₂₄, LGBT equality₂₅ (but one of the lowest in Europe), eliminating modern slavery₂₆ (but high for Europe) and in its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₇ (but low for Europe).

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Human Rights and Freedom in Latvia

5. Latvia's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #latvia #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #suicide #vaccines

Compared to Europe (2020)28
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank28
1	Monaco	13.0
2	Liechtenstein	50.0
3	Norway	66.3
	...
37=	Bosnia & Herzegovina	97.9
38	Poland	98.4
39	Montenegro	101.3
40	Latvia	101.4
41	Serbia	102.0
42	Moldova	102.9
43=	Lithuania	105.5
44	Romania	105.8
45=	Bulgaria	105.8
	Europe Avg	87.7
q=47.

Health (2020)28
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank28
1	Monaco	13.0
2	Maldives	41.7
3	Sri Lanka	43.1
	...
121	Bolivia	99.9
122	Dominican Rep.	101.1
123	Montenegro	101.3
124	Latvia	101.4
125	Palestine	101.5
126=	Vanuatu	101.9
126=	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	101.9
128	Serbia	102.0
	World Avg	95.1
q=198.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, The Maldives and Sri Lanka₂₉. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, The Marshall Islands and Nigeria₂₉.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are 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, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Asia and The Mediterranean₂₉, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Australasia₂₉.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Health:

Latvia has some poor policies and cultural issues which cause some public health problems. Latvia does better than average in its adolescent birth rate₂₂ (but bad for Europe), its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₀ (but high for Europe), its average life expectancy₁₁ (but bad for Europe) and in its fertility rate₁₄. Latvia still has work to do. Latvia does worse than average when it comes to its immunizations take-up₃₁ and in its smoking rate₃₂ (still good for Europe). And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 for its suicide rate₃₃ (one of the highest in Europe) and in its alcohol consumption rate₃₄. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% between 1976 and 2016. 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.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better34
Pos.		2016 Per Capita34
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
179=	France	12.6
180	Romania	12.7
181=	Bulgaria	12.7
182	Latvia	12.9
183=	Luxembourg	13.0
183=	Ireland	13.0
185	Nigeria	13.4
186=	Germany	13.4
	Europe Avg	10.3
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		202214
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.

Smoking Rates Lower is better32
Pos.		201432
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
121	France	993
122	Brunei	1 023
123	Algeria	1 024
124	Latvia	1 041
125	USA	1 083
126	Finland	1 083
127	Portugal	1 113
128	Moldova	1 114
	Europe Avg	1 648
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Suicide Rate33
Pos.		2013 Per 100k33
1	Haiti	0
2	Grenada	0
3	Egypt	0.1
	...
80	Belgium	39.1
81	Slovenia	44
82	Ukraine	44.8
83	Latvia	48.2
84	Japan	49.4
85	Hungary	50.6
86=	Kazakhstan	52.4
86=	Guyana	52.4
	Europe Avg	26.99
	World Avg	20.93
q=91.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better30
Pos.		2017 Rank30
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 better35
Pos.		2016 %35
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
	...
116=	Albania	57.7
116=	Romania	57.7
118	Netherlands	57.8
119=	Latvia	57.8
120	Finland	57.9
121	Macedonia	58.1
122	Nicaragua	58.2
123=	Norway	58.3
	Europe Avg	58.5
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better22
Pos.		2015 Per 100022
1	N. Korea	0.5
2	S. Korea	1.6
3	Switzerland	2.9
	...
43	Poland	13.4
44	Bahrain	13.5
45	Malaysia	13.6
46	Latvia	13.6
47	Australia	14.1
48	UK	14.6
49	Sri Lanka	14.8
50	Micronesia	15.0
	Europe Avg	14.6
	World Avg	47.9
q=185.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better31
Pos.		2015 Avg %31
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.

6. Latvia's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #food #meat #over-exploitation #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Europe (2023)36
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank36
1	Greece	50.4
2	Italy	51.8
3	Germany	55.8
	...
35	Azerbaijan	99.3
36	Macedonia	102.8
37	Moldova	104.8
38	Lithuania	107.8
39	Latvia	109.0
40	Croatia	112.0
41=	Serbia	118.0
42	Bosnia & Herzegovina	120.0
43	Montenegro	124.3
	Europe Avg	79.9
q=43.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)36
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank36
1	Japan	33.2
2	Philippines	45.0
3	Uruguay	48.0
	...
154=	Guyana	108.0
154=	Nauru	108.0
154=	Samoa	108.0
157	Latvia	109.0
158	Lesotho	109.7
159	Sao Tome & Principe	110.3
160	Turkmenistan	110.8
161	USA	111.0
	World Avg	85.7
q=188.

In terms of its responsibility towards the environment, Latvia comes 157th in the world. This rank is derived from 6 data sets. Latvia does better than average in terms of its environmental performance₃₇ (but bad for Europe), its forested percent change 2000-2020₃₈ and in energy to GDP efficiency₃₉. But, things still need to improve in Latvia. Latvia does worse than average in reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₀ and in how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity. And finally, it falls into the worst-performing 20 in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₁.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better38
Pos.		Total38
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
	...
45	Costa Rica	6.2%
46	Switzerland	6.0%
47	Belarus	5.9%
48	Latvia	5.2%
49	Tunisia	5.2%
50	Swaziland	5.1%
51	Thailand	4.7%
52	Poland	4.6%
	Europe Avg	8.2%
	World Avg	-0.1%
q=234.

Environmental Performance Higher is better37
Pos.		201837
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
34	Slovenia	67.6
35	Trinidad & Tobago	67.4
36	St Vincent & Grenadines	66.5
37	Latvia	66.1
38	Turkmenistan	66.1
39	Seychelles	66.0
40	Albania	65.5
41	Croatia	65.5
	Europe Avg	69.6
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Higher is better39
Pos.		201439
1	Hong Kong	26.32
2	Sri Lanka	20.00
3	Panama	17.86
	...
51=	France	09.90
51=	Lebanon	09.90
53	Hungary	09.80
54=	Latvia	09.80
55	Poland	09.71
56	Argentina	09.35
57	Pakistan	09.26
58	Montenegro	09.17
	Europe Avg	09.80
	World Avg	09.29
q=119.

Convention on Biological Diversity Earlier is better
Pos.		Total Signed
1=	China	1993 Dec 29
1=	Guinea	1993 Dec 29
1=	Cook Islands	1993 Dec 29
	...
133	Sudan	1996 Jan 28
134	S. Africa	1996 Jan 31
135	Nicaragua	1996 Feb 18
136	Latvia	1996 Mar 13
137	Singapore	1996 Mar 20
138	Syria	1996 Apr 03
139	Suriname	1996 Apr 11
140	Poland	1996 Apr 17
	Europe Avg	1899 Dec 30
	World Avg	1899 Dec 30
q=197.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better41
Pos.		2011 %41
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
130	USA	19.7%
131	Kuwait	19.6%
132	Zimbabwe	19.6%
133	Latvia	19.5%
134	Tunisia	19.3%
135	Czechia	16.0%
136	Estonia	15.9%
137	China	15.1%
	Europe Avg	33.6%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better40
Pos.		2021 kg40
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
128	Kazakhstan	71.8
129	Estonia	72.1
130	Guyana	72.4
131	Latvia	74.0
132	Finland	74.0
133	Italy	74.3
134	Norway	74.7
135	Mexico	75.4
	Europe Avg	71.1
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

7. Latvia's Modernity and Learning

#education #english #intelligence #it_security #maths #modernity #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2020)42
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank42
1	Finland	7.7
2	Switzerland	14.7
3	Denmark	14.8
	...
17	Faroe Islands	24.0
18	Hungary	25.3
19	France	26.2
20	Latvia	28.2
21	Lithuania	32.8
22	Poland	33.1
23	Spain	34.1
24	Italy	37.4
25	Portugal	38.9
	Europe Avg	40.6
q=49.

Modernity & Learning (2020)42
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank42
1	Finland	7.7
2	Taiwan	10.0
3	Switzerland	14.7
	...
25	Singapore	26.1
26	France	26.2
27	USA	28.2
28	Latvia	28.2
29	Israel	31.3
30	Hong Kong	32.6
31	Lithuania	32.8
32	Poland	33.1
	World Avg	82.7
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2943
2	Israel	4.1143
3	Japan	3.5843
	...
51	Mali	0.6644
52	Bulgaria	0.6545
53	Ethiopia	0.6145
54	Latvia	0.6045
55=	Gabon	0.5846
55=	Argentina	0.5847
57	Mexico	0.5443
58=	Senegal	0.5444
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better48
Pos.		201848
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 better49
Pos.		2021 Years49
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.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better30
Pos.		2017 Rank30
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.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better50
Pos.		2015 Score50
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.

Religiosity Lower is better51
Pos.		2018 %51
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
8=	Sweden	10
8=	Japan	10
8=	Finland	10
11	Latvia	11
12=	France	11
12=	Belgium	11
14	Austria	12
15	Hungary	14
	Europe Avg	25.8
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

IQ Higher is better52
Pos.		200652
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
33=	Russia	97
33=	Belarus	97
	Europe Avg	96.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users Higher is better53
Pos.		201653
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
40	Malta	80%
41	Chile	78%
42	Lithuania	77%
43	Latvia	76%
44	Lebanon	76%
45	Croatia	74%
46=	Hong Kong	74%
46=	Cayman Islands	74%
	Europe Avg	76.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

IT Security Lower is better54
Pos.		201354
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 better55
Pos.		2017 Ratio55
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 better56
Pos.		202456
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. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

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

World Giving Index Higher is better57
Pos.		2022 %57
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
110=	Romania	30.0
110=	Algeria	30.0
112	Pakistan	29.0
113=	Latvia	29.0
113=	Italy	29.0
113=	Armenia	29.0
116	Tunisia	28.0
117	Laos	27.0
	Europe Avg	39.0
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better58
Pos.		2022 Points58
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
36	Spain	60.0
37=	St Vincent & Grenadines	60.0
37=	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.

Happiness Higher is better59
Pos.		2018 Score59
1	Finland	7.6
2	Norway	7.6
3	Denmark	7.6
	...
50	Lithuania	6.0
51	Slovenia	5.9
52	Romania	5.9
53	Latvia	5.9
54	Japan	5.9
55	Mauritius	5.9
56	Jamaica	5.9
57	S. Korea	5.9
	Europe Avg	6.06
	World Avg	5.38
q=156.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better30
Pos.		2017 Rank30
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.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better30
Pos.		2017 Rank30
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.

9. Peace Versus Instability

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

Global Peace Index Lower is better60
Pos.		2023 Score60
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.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better30
Pos.		2017 Rank30
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 better30
Pos.		2017 Rank30
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 better61
Pos.		2019 Score61
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.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

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

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better62
Pos.		201962
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
44=	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 better63
Pos.		2023 %63
1	Slovakia	24.1%64
2	Slovenia	24.3%64
3	Belarus	24.4%65
	...
73	Tajikistan	34.0%66
74	Sudan	34.2%67
75=	Montenegro	34.3%64
75=	Latvia	34.3%64
75=	Australia	34.3%68
78	Benin	34.4%64
79	Portugal	34.6%64
80=	Iran	34.8%69
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

11. Religion and Beliefs

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

Religiosity (2018)51
Pos.		Lower is better %51
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
8=	Sweden	10
8=	Japan	10
8=	Finland	10
11	Latvia	11
12=	France	11
12=	Belgium	11
14	Austria	12
15	Hungary	14
16	Albania	15
17=	Lithuania	16
17=	S. Korea	16
17=	Russia	16
20	Australia	18
21=	Vietnam	18
22	Bulgaria	19
23=	Norway	19
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

Disbelief In God (2007)70
Pos.		Higher is better %70
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
21	Taiwan	24
22=	New Zealand	22
22=	Canada	22
24	Latvia	20
25=	Ukraine	20
25=	Mongolia	20
27	Austria	18
28=	Slovakia	17
28=	Switzerland	17
28=	Belarus	17
31	Greece	16
32=	Iceland	16
33	Spain	15
34=	Israel	15
35	Armenia	14
36=	Lithuania	13
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below₇₁:

Christian	55.8%
Muslim	0.1%
Hindu	0.1%
Buddhist	0.1%
Folk Religion	0.1%
Jewish	0.1%
Unaffiliated	43.8%

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 56.3% 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

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)₇₂.

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