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Latvia
Estonia is a small country in Northern Europe bordered by giant Russia to the east, <anchor>Latvia</anchor> to the south, the Baltic Sea to the west and the Gulf of Finland to the north. The country’s territory includes a mainland and more than 2,000 islands.
Latvia - Rankings, News | U.S. News Best Countries
Latvia - Rankings, News \| U.S. News Best Countries

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1. Latvia
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# Latvia

![](https://www.usnews.com/static/img/mini-badge-color.svg)#67in [Overall Rankings](/news/best-countries/rankings)#72 out of 87 in 2023

_More_

Credit

(Pierre Crom\|Getty Images)

![](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/0000015a-397b-d9e9-a9da-bf7f8b660000/bc17-latvia-crop.jpg?update-time=1487104675551&size=superhero-medium)

- [Overview](#country-overview)
- [Ranking Details](#country-ranking-details)
- [Photos](#country-photos)
- [Additional Rankings](#country-additional-rankings)
- [Recommended Articles](#country-recommended-articles)

- [Overview](#country-overview)
- [Ranking Details](#country-ranking-details)
- [Photos](#country-photos)
- [Additional Rankings](#country-additional-rankings)
- [Recommended Articles](#country-recommended-articles)

## Overview of Latvia

![](/static-atlas/assets/img/news/best-countries/globes/Latvia.png)

CapitalRiga

RegionEurope

GDP Per Capita, PPP$42,501

GDP$43.6 billion

Population1,881,750

Area64,589 SQ.KM

## Overview of Latvia

On the edge of Eastern Europe, Latvia sits nestled between Estonia and Lithuania. The trio form the Baltic states and share roots in early tribal settlers as well as similarly strategic locations along the Baltic Sea that have led to various coinciding conquests of their land throughout history.

More on Latvia

[![](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000188-9113-dd93-afeb-fb1b9b860000/gettyimages-1233710911.jpg?update-time=1686064038553&size=responsive640)](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/slideshows/openly-lgbt-world-leaders)

[Openly LGBTQ+ World Leaders](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/slideshows/openly-lgbt-world-leaders) [Countries With the Highest Smoking Rates](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/slideshows/countries-with-the-highest-smoking-rates) [How 1989 Reshaped Europe](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2019-11-08/how-the-fall-of-communism-in-1989-reshaped-eastern-europe)

Latvia is among one of the larger European countries in terms of landmass, but low population density has allowed more than half of the country’s geography to remain natural ecosystems. There is great geographic diversity within the country’s borders, too, from Ventas Rumba, Europe’s widest waterfall, to the towering pines of Gauja National Park and the crystalline Baltic waters along the resort town of Jurmala.

Full and lasting independence came for Latvia with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. The former Soviet state is now a parliamentary republic, led by a publicly elected president and 100-member parliament, or Saeima.

READ MORE

Once it declared independence from a collapsing Soviet Union, Latvia quickly grew a successful economy, based heavily in agriculture and timber. In 2004, within a decade of independence, the nation became a member of the European Union. It joined the eurozone later, in 2014.

Despite their heavily overlapping histories, the Baltic states have each managed to maintain separate identities. Much of Latvia’s identity and tradition manifests itself in language, exemplified by the Latvian linguistic godfather, Rainis, an internationally regarded poet and dramatist. In a 2013 [study](http://www.osce.org/odihr/106116?download=true) out of the Institute of European Studies, more than half of Latvians surveyed named Rainis their national hero.

Latvia’s capital city, Riga, was a bustling port town as early as the Middle Ages. Celebrated for its Art Nouveau architecture, the city is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and was named the European Culture Capital in 2014.

Latvia is a member of many international organizations, including the United Nations, World Bank, the Council of Europe and the World Trade Organization.

Once it declared independence from a collapsing Soviet Union, Latvia quickly grew a successful economy, based heavily in agriculture and timber. In 2004, within a decade of independence, the nation became a member of the European Union. It joined the eurozone later, in 2014.

Despite their heavily overlapping histories, the Baltic states have each managed to maintain separate identities. Much of Latvia’s identity and tradition manifests itself in language, exemplified by the Latvian linguistic godfather, Rainis, an internationally regarded poet and dramatist. In a 2013 [study](http://www.osce.org/odihr/106116?download=true) out of the Institute of European Studies, more than half of Latvians surveyed named Rainis their national hero.

Latvia’s capital city, Riga, was a bustling port town as early as the Middle Ages. Celebrated for its Art Nouveau architecture, the city is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and was named the European Culture Capital in 2014.

Latvia is a member of many international organizations, including the United Nations, World Bank, the Council of Europe and the World Trade Organization.

More on Latvia

[![](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000188-9113-dd93-afeb-fb1b9b860000/gettyimages-1233710911.jpg?update-time=1686064038553&size=responsive640)](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/slideshows/openly-lgbt-world-leaders)

[Openly LGBTQ+ World Leaders](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/slideshows/openly-lgbt-world-leaders) [Countries With the Highest Smoking Rates](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/slideshows/countries-with-the-highest-smoking-rates) [How 1989 Reshaped Europe](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2019-11-08/how-the-fall-of-communism-in-1989-reshaped-eastern-europe)

## Latvia Rankings

#67

Overall Rank

CategoryRankScore

#72 out of 87 in 2023

10.4

Overall Score

[Read our methodology](/news/best-countries/articles/methodology) to see how the scores and rankings were calculated.

RankingsAdventure10.8#69Agility6.2#71Cultural Influence0.8#86Entrepreneurship9.7#55Heritage8.1#71Movers6.6#81Open for Business67.9#24Power0.3#87Quality of Life14.9#51Social Purpose20.2#31

- [Adventure](/news/best-countries/rankings/adventure)**10.8**













**#69**

- [Agility](/news/best-countries/rankings/agility)**6.2**













**#71**

- [Cultural Influence](/news/best-countries/rankings/influence)**0.8**













**#86**

- [Entrepreneurship](/news/best-countries/rankings/entrepreneurship)**9.7**













**#55**

- [Heritage](/news/best-countries/rankings/heritage)**8.1**













**#71**

- [Movers](/news/best-countries/rankings/movers)**6.6**













**#81**

- [Open for Business](/news/best-countries/rankings/open-for-business)**67.9**













**#24**

- [Power](/news/best-countries/rankings/power)**0.3**













**#87**

- [Quality of Life](/news/best-countries/rankings/quality-of-life)**14.9**













**#51**

- [Social Purpose](/news/best-countries/rankings/social-purpose)**20.2**













**#31**


#67

Overall Rank

#72 out of 87 in 2023

10.4

Overall Score

[Read our methodology](/news/best-countries/articles/methodology) to see how the scores and rankings were calculated.

CategoryRankScore

RankingsAdventure10.8#69Agility6.2#71Cultural Influence0.8#86Entrepreneurship9.7#55Heritage8.1#71Movers6.6#81Open for Business67.9#24Power0.3#87Quality of Life14.9#51Social Purpose20.2#31

- [Adventure](/news/best-countries/rankings/adventure)**10.8**













**#69**

- [Agility](/news/best-countries/rankings/agility)**6.2**













**#71**

- [Cultural Influence](/news/best-countries/rankings/influence)**0.8**













**#86**

- [Entrepreneurship](/news/best-countries/rankings/entrepreneurship)**9.7**













**#55**

- [Heritage](/news/best-countries/rankings/heritage)**8.1**













**#71**

- [Movers](/news/best-countries/rankings/movers)**6.6**













**#81**

- [Open for Business](/news/best-countries/rankings/open-for-business)**67.9**













**#24**

- [Power](/news/best-countries/rankings/power)**0.3**













**#87**

- [Quality of Life](/news/best-countries/rankings/quality-of-life)**14.9**













**#51**

- [Social Purpose](/news/best-countries/rankings/social-purpose)**20.2**













**#31**


Adventure

#69

Ranking

10.8

Score

See all of the [Best Countries for Adventure.](/news/best-countries/rankings/adventure)

**Score**

### Attributes

- Friendly**30.0**

- Fun**9.3**

- Good for tourism**14.5**

- Pleasant climate**4.0**

- Scenic**9.9**

- Sexy**1.8**


Agility

#71

Ranking

6.2

Score

See all of the [Best Countries for Agility.](/news/best-countries/rankings/agility)

**Score**

### Attributes

- Adaptable**5.6**

- Dynamic**3.3**

- Modern**5.4**

- Progressive**19.0**

- Responsive**6.2**


Cultural Influence

#86

Ranking

0.8

Score

See all of the [Best Countries for Cultural Influence.](/news/best-countries/rankings/influence)

**Score**

### Attributes

- Culturally significant in terms of entertainment**1.8**

- Fashionable**4.0**

- Happy**19.3**

- Has an influential culture**3.0**

- Has strong consumer brands**0.2**

- Modern**5.4**

- Prestigious**0.0**

- Trendy**2.2**


Entrepreneurship

#55

Ranking

9.7

Score

See all of the [Best Countries for Entrepreneurship.](/news/best-countries/rankings/entrepreneurship)

**Score**

### Attributes

- Connected to the rest of the world**20.6**

- Educated population**27.1**

- Entrepreneurial**11.3**

- Innovative**6.2**

- Provides easy access to capital**0.2**

- Skilled labor force**12.5**

- Technological expertise**2.5**

- Transparent business practices**17.6**

- Well-developed digital infrastructure**9.2**

- Well-developed infrastructure**4.5**

- Well-developed legal framework**10.8**


Heritage

#71

Ranking

8.1

Score

See all of the [Best Countries for Heritage.](/news/best-countries/rankings/heritage)

**Score**

### Attributes

- Culturally accessible**21.8**

- Has a rich history**6.5**

- Has great food**7.5**

- Many cultural attractions**11.0**

- Many geographic attractions**3.5**


Movers

#81

Ranking

6.6

Score

See all of the [Best Countries for Movers.](/news/best-countries/rankings/movers)

**Score**

### Attributes

- Different**21.7**

- Distinctive**0.0**

- Dynamic**3.3**

- Unique**7.8**


Open for Business

#24

Ranking

67.9

Score

See all of the [Best Countries for Open for Business.](/news/best-countries/rankings/open-for-business)

**Score**

### Attributes

- Cheap manufacturing costs**28.1**

- Favorable tax environment**12.1**

- Not Bureaucratic**97.5**

- Not Corrupt**90.6**

- Transparent government practices**20.9**


Power

#87

Ranking

0.3

Score

See all of the [Best Countries for Power.](/news/best-countries/rankings/power)

**Score**

### Attributes

- A leader**0.8**

- Economically influential**1.5**

- Has strong exports**0.0**

- Politically influential**1.1**

- Strong international alliances**3.4**

- Strong military**0.0**


Quality of Life

#51

Ranking

14.9

Score

See all of the [Best Countries for Quality of Life.](/news/best-countries/rankings/quality-of-life)

**Score**

### Attributes

- A good job market**0.5**

- Affordable**20.1**

- Economically stable**10.4**

- Family-friendly**25.2**

- Income equality**7.1**

- Politically stable**24.5**

- Safe**25.8**

- Well-developed public education system**19.3**

- Well-developed public health system**3.8**


Social Purpose

#31

Ranking

20.2

Score

See all of the [Best Countries for Social Purpose.](/news/best-countries/rankings/social-purpose)

**Score**

### Attributes

- Cares about animal rights**15.4**

- Cares about human rights**27.4**

- Cares about the environment**22.6**

- Committed to climate goals**15.7**

- Committed to social justice**13.9**

- Gender equality**35.6**

- Racial equity**32.8**

- Religious freedom**30.9**

- Respects property rights**28.7**

- Trustworthy**9.7**

- Well-distributed political power**9.5**


### Best Countries Around the World

![A picture taken on November 9, 2014, shows the Sphinx (L) and the pyramid of Khafre (R)  in Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo. The Egyptian Antiquities Ministry restored the courtyard in front of the Sphinx and the pyramid of King Khafre as part of their project to preserve Egypts heritage and promote tourism to the country. According to the ministry's rotation plan, one pyramid of the three pyramids of Giza will be closed every year for restoration. (Photo credit should read MOHAMED EL-SHAHED/AFP/Getty Images)](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/0000015b-5895-d745-a35b-fed5b0370000/bc16-egypt.jpg?update-time=1491839856695&size=responsive640)

View All 80 Images

[![](/static-atlas/assets/img/news/best-countries/rail-promo.svg)](/news/best-countries)

Learn More

Here's a look at the data behind our rankings.

[How the Countries Were RankedHow the Countries Were Ranked](/news/best-countries/articles/methodology) [Best Countries FAQBest Countries FAQ](/news/best-countries/articles/frequently-asked-questions)

### More Countries

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Uruguay\
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#66 in Best Countries](/news/best-countries/uruguay)

[![](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000178-89cb-d179-a97c-8fdb24670000/bc19.countries_cambodia.JPG?update-time=1617219592317&size=responsiveSquare150)\
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Cambodia\
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#68 in Best Countries](/news/best-countries/cambodia)

## Additional Rankings

[![Aerial view of a suburb in Auckland, New Zealand - stock photo ](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000183-617a-d3ab-afef-f97fa81a0000/gettyimages-1391853603.jpg?update-time=1663787853039&size=responsive300)\
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Comfortable Retirement\
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Latvia #57](/news/best-countries/best-countries-to-retire)

[![Statue of John Harvard, Harvard University Boston (Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images) ](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000183-6131-d3ab-afef-f97dec660000/gettyimages-1238018692-2.jpg?update-time=1663783276915&size=responsive300)\
\
Education\
\
Latvia #46](/news/best-countries/best-countries-for-education)

[![Open courtyard garden with walkways and curved building facades. Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore, Singapore. Architect: UNStudio, 2015. (Photo by: Hufton+Crow/View Pictures/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) ](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000183-6184-d3ab-afef-f9eddcc40000/gettyimages-929401562.jpg?update-time=1663790254641&size=responsive300)\
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Forward Thinking\
\
Latvia #68](/news/best-countries/most-forward-thinking-countries)

[![Wind turbines generating electricity. energy conservation concept.](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000160-eb64-deb3-a1eb-eb75b9170000/180112-greenliving-editorial.jpg?update-time=1515777846984&size=responsive300)\
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Green Living\
\
Latvia #43](/news/best-countries/most-sustainable-countries)

[![Pedestrians Crossing the Street, Soho, New York, USA](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/0000015b-3682-d397-a1fb-7eaf9cc90000/170403-editorial.jpg?update-time=1526060193869&size=responsive300)\
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Headquarter a Corporation\
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Latvia #50](/news/best-countries/best-countries-to-headquarter-a-corporation)

[![TOPSHOT - Visitors watch the Independence Day fireworks display near the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall on July 4, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by ALEX EDELMAN / AFP) (Photo by ALEX EDELMAN/AFP via Getty Images) ](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000183-61b0-de61-a983-f1f8d6270000/gettyimages-1233806705.jpg?update-time=1663791378140&size=responsive300)\
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International Influence\
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Latvia #75](/news/best-countries/most-influential-countries)

[![Workers are seen on scaffolding at a construction site for an expressway in Manila on March 8, 2017.](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000160-c1dc-deb3-a1eb-c9ddcc440000/180104-bestcountries-bestinvest-lead-editorial.jpg?update-time=1515081029727&size=responsive300)\
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Invest In\
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Latvia #57](/news/best-countries/best-countries-to-invest-in)

[![TOPSHOT - A protester holds up a placard reading 'All BLM (short for: Black Lives Matter) during a demonstration in Deventer, The Netherlands, on June 14, 2020 as part of the worldwide protests against racism and police brutality. (Photo by Robin VAN LONKHUIJSEN / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT (Photo by ROBIN VAN LONKHUIJSEN/ANP/AFP via Getty Images) ](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000178-a873-d179-a97c-af731d600000/210406-netherlands-editorial.jpg?update-time=1617734165037&size=responsive300)\
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Racial Equity\
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Latvia #34](/news/best-countries/best-countries-for-racial-equity)

[![Hand holding newborn baby's hand ](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000183-61b2-de61-a983-f1faf3620000/gettyimages-1153619086.jpg?update-time=1663791832001&size=responsive300)\
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Raising Children\
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Latvia #35](/news/best-countries/best-countries-to-raise-a-family)

[![Female Videographer Exploring On Jungle Adventure.](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000154-3949-d85c-a9d7-3d698efa0000/160421-jungleexplore-stock.jpg?update-time=1461250212056&size=responsive300)\
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Solo Travel\
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Latvia #60](/news/best-countries/best-countries-to-travel-alone)

[![This photograph taken on November 24, 2020 shows a warehouse technician working at Takeda Pharmaceuticals (Asia Pacific) in Singapore. - The city-state is on course for its worst ever recession this year but factory activity has held up, thanks partly to countries rushing to stockpile medicines during the pandemic. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP) / To go with AFP story Singapore-economy-pharmaceutical-health-virus, FOCUS by Martin Abbugao (Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images) ](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000178-a353-d179-a97c-af5373fb0000/210405-singapore-editorial.jpg?update-time=1617648186342&size=responsive300)\
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Start a Business\
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Latvia #74](/news/best-countries/best-countries-to-start-a-business)

[![Business people walking on pedestrian crossing.](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000160-eb9a-deb3-a1eb-ebdbdb230000/180112-startacareer-stock.jpg?update-time=1515781470845&size=responsive300)\
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Start a Career\
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Latvia #55](/news/best-countries/best-countries-to-start-a-career)

[![ISTANBUL, ISTANBUL PROVINCE, TURKEY - 2019/10/15: A women is taking a selfie at Süleymaniye Mosque, Süleymaniye Camii, the suburb Karaköy with the Galata Tower, Galata Kulesi, in the distance. (Photo by Frank Bienewald/LightRocket via Getty Images) ](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000178-a397-d179-a97c-af9725310000/210405-turkey-editorial.jpg?update-time=1617652374145&size=responsive300)\
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Study Abroad\
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Latvia #79](/news/best-countries/best-countries-to-study-abroad)

[![Judge and lawyer looking through documents](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000151-a223-d187-add9-aaa317290000/151214-stock.jpg?update-time=1576548824372&size=responsive300)\
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Transparency\
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Latvia #32](/news/best-countries/most-transparent-countries)

[![A reveller with mirrored glasses laughs on the second day of the Glastonbury Festival of Music and Performing Arts on Worthy Farm near the village of Pilton in Somerset, South West England on June 22, 2016.  / AFP / Andy Buchanan        (Photo credit should read ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images)](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000160-ebb2-deb3-a1eb-ebf3d5d50000/180112bcbestofwomen-editorial.jpg?update-time=1516124334841&size=responsive300)\
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Women\
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Latvia #39](/news/best-countries/best-countries-for-women)

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These countries stand out as the best among dozens assessed in an international survey.\
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[**U.S. Rises in Best Countries Rankings** \
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America's No. 3 spot in the annual U.S. News project is a high-water mark, but comes as nearly half of survey respondents see a negative global impact from a potential Trump presidency.\
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Elliott Davis Jr.Sept. 10, 2024\
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