Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia, is a country in the Baltic region of northern Europe. It is one of the three Baltic states, along with Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south. It borders Russia to the east and Belarus to the southeast and shares a maritime border with Sweden to the west. Latvia covers an area of 64,573 km2 (24,932 sq mi), with a population of 1.83 million. The country has a temperate seasonal climate. Its capital and largest city is Riga. Latvians, who are the titular nation and comprise 65.5% of the country's population, belong to the ethnolinguistic group of the Balts and speak Latvian. Russians are the most prominent minority in the country, at almost a quarter of the population; 37.7% of the population speak Russian as their native tongue.
Source: tolatvia.com
Riga, Baltic nature & authentic city life
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On Thursday, June 11, the Saeima rejected in the first reading the proposed amendments to the Animal Protection Law, which would have banned the keeping of laying hens in cages with a transition period until 2032.
On Thursday, June 11, Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, adopted amendments to the Insolvency Law and related laws in the final reading, which liquidate the Insolvency Control Service and transfer its functions to the Ministry of Justice, the Court Administration and the Latvian Association of Insolvency Administrators. From now on, the Ministry of Justice will have to supervise insolvency administrators.
On Thursday, June 11, the parliamentary seats of former Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) and two former ministers were reinstated.
The Prime Ministers of the Baltic and Nordic states are in Tallinn, Estonia on Tuesday for a meeting with Ukraine's outstanding President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reports Latvian Television.
On June 8th and 9th, the delegations of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the parliaments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will meet with their counterparts from the Parliament of Türkiye in Tallinn, Estonia, to discuss the security situation and further support to Ukraine.
On Saturday, June 6th, the official pre-election campaign period for the 15th Saeima elections begins in Latvia, which will last until election day itself – October 3rd. The pre-election period runs for 120 days.
On 5–7 June 2026, the 35th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Business Forum will take place in Rīga at the Radisson Blu Latvija Conference Hotel, though with entertainment laid on and other meetings at venues such as the Dailes Theatre and Latvian National Museum of Art.
On Friday, June 5th, at a joint meeting of the Baltic Assembly (BA) Committees on Natural Resources and Environment and on Health, Welfare and Family Affairs, parliamentarians from Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania will seek solutions for a more comprehensive harmonisation of climate and health policies in the Baltic States, as well as discuss the implementation of joint measures to mitigate the impact of climate change on human health.
With the confirmation of the government led by Andris Kulbergs (United List), the composition of the 14th Saeima is also changing – several former ministers have returned to work in parliament, and some new members fill the seats of those who have become ministers.
With the slogan "Be More Baltic", the "Baltic International Security Centre" (BISC) think-tank was unveiled in Brussels on Wednesday, June 3, Latvian Radio reports.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs said on June 3rd he was happy with the initial signs from the new four-party coalition government headed by Andris Kulbergs (United List).
On 1–2 June 2026, the regular meeting of the E-PINE (Enhanced Partnership in Northern Europe) format took place in Tallinn and Narva, Estonia, bringing together representatives of the Baltic States, the Nordic countries, and the United States of America (USA). Latvia was represented by Juris Poikāns, Ambassador-at-Large, according to a release from the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The new cabinet of Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs will meet not once but twice per week, reports Latvian Television.
Saeima debates are the most visible elements parts of parliamentary work, but how important are they in reality? Some members of the Latvian parliament take the podium hundreds of times during a four-year parliamentary mandate, while others don't bother to speak at all, despite the fact that there are only 100 deputies in total.
As expected, a new four-party coalition government was approved by Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, on Thursday, May 28th.
Representatives of the political parties forming the new coalition – the United List (AS), the National Alliance (NA), New Unity (JV), and the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) – signed a coalition agreement and a declaration on the government’s planned activities on Thursday morning, LSM.lv reports.
The Union of Greens and Farmers continuing to lead the Ministry of Agriculture is unacceptable, stated Andris Šuvajevs, the leader of the opposition faction Progressives, on Thursday, May 28, on the Latvian Television programme Morning Panorama.
May 27th saw Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs presenting Latvia’s highest state award – the Order of the Three Stars – to Don Bacon, a member of the U.S. Congress House of Representatives and long-time co-chair of the Baltic Caucus.
Outgoing Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) said on May 27th that the first cracks in her three-party coalition appeared over the stance to be taken on the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, or the so-called Istanbul Convention.
Not only must Latvia select a new Prime Minister, but also the highest-ranking public official – the Director of the State Chancellery. The two previous holders of the position were forced to step down. Jānis Citskovskis is already on trial, while criminal proceedings have been initiated against Raivis Kronbergs. Now a successor must be chosen for this important position, Latvian Television reported on May 26.
Prime Minister candidate Andris Kulbergs (United List) has officially announced the composition of the incoming government on Tuesday, May 26. This has also been confirmed by President Edgars Rinkēvičs.
President Edgars Rinkēvičs met with prime ministerial nominee Andris Kulbergs (United List) on Monday, May 25th to hear his proposals about forming a new government following the resignation of Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) and the collapse of her three-party government.
Andris Kulbergs of the United List (AS), the candidate for prime minister nominated by the President, will go to Rīga Castle on Monday, May 25, to present the composition of the new government, Latvian Television reported on May 24.
Foreign Minister Baiba Braže has said that Latvia's allies are fully aware that Russia is spreading disinformation about drone-related incidents in the Baltic states – though the Foreign Ministry continues to publish repeated public rebuttals of Russia's claims.
In the latest poll of political parties by the research center SKDS, the biggest changes this time around have not occurred at the top of the ranking, but in the positions behind the leader and around the five percent threshold that is required to win seats in Latvia's parliament, the Saeima. Moreover, the data continues to show very tight competition between several parties.
Several politicians who might have thought about campaigning in the upcoming elections on a tough law and order ticket might have to redraw their plans after falling foul of the law themselves.
While another drone incursion warning remained in force on Thursday afternoon in eastern districts of Latvia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued its latest statement in response to Russian disinformation efforts.
The Saeima 'Parliamentary Inquiry Commission on Problems in National and European Union-Level Immigration Regulation and the Work of Executive Bodies' said on May 20th it has adopted a final report, which will be forwarded for consideration by the wider Saeima session.
On Thursday, May 21, the Rīga City Council decided to revoke the mandate of council member Aleksejs Rosļikovs, the former leader of the "For Stability!" party, who has fled to Belarus. 41 council members voted in favour of revoking his mandate.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada and the Foreign Ministers of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia were due to meet in Tallinn, Estonia for the fourth Canada–Baltics “3+1” Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on May 20th.
Armands Krauze, leader of the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) and former Minister of Agriculture, promises to take legal action if Prosecutor General Armīns Meisters does not retract his statements against Krauze regarding the so-called timber industry case, according to Latvian Radio and the portal LSM.lv.
The shape of Latvia's potential new government coalition became more apparent on Wednesday with a four-party model looking likely to take a five-month mandate.
On Wednesday, May 20, the Ropaži Municipality Council dismissed Mayor Signe Grūbe and her deputy Renāte Gremze (New Unity/Progressives), according to the Progressives party. Deputy Mayor Aivars Draudiņš (United List), who is the only candidate, has already been nominated for the mayor's position, LSM.lv reports.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs on Wednesday called on the public to stay calm and not rise to Russia's repeated attempts at intimidation.
When the Saeima was discussing a few years ago whether parties should be allocated more state money, the other Baltic states were cited as an example. They provided funding ten times more generously. Now Latvia has not only caught up with its neighbours, but has even overtaken them.
On May 19th, the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned a Russian diplomat yet again over the latest blatant misinformation disseminated by that aggressor state.
Igors Rajevs, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior, has submitted his resignation but will continue to serve as a member of the parliament, LETA reports on May 19.
If Prime Ministerial candidate Andris Kulbergs (United List), manages to form a government, the state budget could be reviewed as early as June, Kulbergs indicated on the Latvian Radio program "Labrīt" (Good Morning) on May 19th.
On May 19th, the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, will host Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, on a working visit to Rīga.
Security, demographics, and healthcare—these are the three areas that must be addressed as a priority in the country, said President Edgars Rinkēvičs during a regional visit to Preiļi on Monday, 18th May.
Andris Kulbergs (United List), the candidate for prime minister nominated by the president, began government formation talks on Monday. Kulbergs sees an opportunity to form a four-party coalition, with the United List, the National Alliance, and the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) agreeing after trilateral talks to invite New Unity to the negotiations, but not the Progressives.
Raivis Kronbergs, Director of the State Chancellery, whom Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) suspended after he was temporarily detained on May 14 in connection with the investigation into the so-called timber industry case, terminated his employment on May 18, according to Cabinet Press Secretary Laura Krastiņa.
On May 18th, outgoing Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa met with potentially the incoming United Nations Secretary General, Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis.
The Saeima will host a seminar on Monday, May 18, titled "Artificial Intelligence in the Everyday Life of a Member of Parliament: From Opportunity to Necessity," which will feature technology experts, representatives from the public administration and security sectors, as well as politicians who are already using artificial intelligence in their work.
Prime Ministerial nominee, Andris Kulbergs (United List) gets down to the serious business Monday of trying to assemble a viable government for the next five months until parliamentary elections take place on October 3rd.
Latvian Foriegn Minister Baiba Braže was in Tallinn, Estonia on May 16th, taking part in the annual Lennart Meri Conference, a geopolitical meeting named after the distinguished former Estonian president.
Following consultations with political parties on Saturday afternoon, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs announced that he was tasking Andris Kulbergs of the opposition United List political force with attempting to form a new government.
President Edgars Rinkēvičs has a working weekend ahead of him with talks set to continue at Rīga Castle over the necessity of installing a new government, following the resignation of Prime Minister Evika Siliņa and the collapse of the three-party coalition on Thursday.
A comprehensive and long-awaited reform will be implemented in the public procurement system, which is expected to save at least 2–4% of public procurement expenditures. This is provided for in the amendments to the Public Procurement Law, which were adopted by the Saeima in their final reading on Thursday, May 14, LSM.lv reported.
The National Alliance (NA), the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS), and the United List (AS) reached a preliminary agreement on Thursday to cooperate in forming a new government.
The twin cities of Valka (Latvia) and Valga (Estonia) are the place or places to head to this weekend as they celebrate their joint city festival.
Specialized vehicles used in evacuation missions from the Ukrainian front will be temporarily stationed at the Freedom Monument in central Rīga from June 13th to June 18th.
As previously reported by LSM, the KiVa anti-bullying programme conference is taking place in Rīga on Friday and features speakers from Finland, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic, with the aim of sharing experience, knowledge, and inspiration.
Latvia joined the European Space Agency in 2020; however, funding for the country’s continued membership is no longer included in the multiannual budget for next year, according to Minister of Education and Science Ilze Indriksone (National Alliance). Is Latvia’s membership in the agency at risk? There is no answer to that yet, Latvian Television reported on June 11.
To strengthen the security of the country’s borders and maintain its infrastructure, a 30-metre buffer zone is planned to be established along Latvia’s external land border. This is provided for in the urgent amendments to the Protective Zone Law, which were supported in the final reading by the Saeima on Thursday, June 11, as reported by the Saeima Press Service.
In Bebrene Parish, Augšdaugava Municipality, strong winds tore off approximately two-thirds of the roof of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on Thursday, June 11 evening, confirmed Pēteris Dzalbe, executive director of the Augšdaugava Municipality.
More than 31,000 Ukrainians are currently finding refuge in Latvia, according to the latest Eurostat figures.
Political decisions, including ill-thought-through bans on e-cigarettes and flavoured liquids, have encouraged smuggling, said Baiba Šmite-Roķe, Director General of the State Revenue Service (VID), at a forum on smuggling issues on Thursday.
As the summer wedding season begins, the Latvian State Border Guard is calling on newlyweds to pay attention to the preparation of travel documents such as passports and eID cards to avoid what might become a disappointing and extremely short honeymoon.
State Police officers detained a quadricycle driver after a chase in Bauska, who, ignoring repeated requests to stop, tried to flee from law enforcement officers.
Officials of the Customs Department of the State Revenue Service (VID) have seized more than half a million contraband cigarettes that were labelled as 'bed linen' in import documents.
A warning has been issued about a currently popular telephone fraud scheme operating in Latvia.
A recent survey by Swedbank Latvia shows that 92% of residents experience financial stress in various forms, Swedbank said in a release on June 11.
Starting next year, Latvian citizens living abroad will also be eligible for conscription into the mandatory State Defence Service. According to rough estimates, 1,000 young people in the UK could meet the requirements for national defence service next year; however, interest from the diaspora has been very low so far.
The Plant Protection Service has discovered the sale of unauthorised genetically modified tomato seedlings in Latvia. The variety in question is dark purple in colour and was developed by a U.S. biotechnology company, Latvian Radio reported on June 10.
The use of NATO fighter jets to protect Latvian airspace and shoot down foreign drones, which happened for the first time in Latvia on Monday, is not a long-term solution. Instead, the country should focus on developing and strengthening its air defence capabilities. This was stated by President Edgars Rinkēvičs and Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (Joint List) at their weekly press conference after a bilateral meeting on Wednesday, June 10th (video below).
Latvian ammunition manufacturer Ammunity said on June 10th it has started to cooperate with one of Poland’s most important defence companies.
The world is facing a silent pandemic that many don’t even notice – antimicrobial resistance. Bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics and threatening the lives of many people, says professor Dimitri Van der Linden, a paediatric infectious disease specialist from Belgium, in an interview with Latvian Radio's Laura Dzērve.
There is a growing interest in organic farming in rural Latvia, and one of the reasons is to be less dependent on external resources, as the price of mineral fertilizers is increasing, and plant protection products will also become more expensive, reports Latvian Radio from northern Vidzeme region.
A man physically assaulted a female train ticket conductor around midnight on Saturday, June 6, and stole a bag containing money and work equipment, the State Police confirmed.
Discussions on the potential introduction of an e-cigarette deposit system will continue in the Saeima, reports Latvian Radio.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian civilians covered by the Ukrainian Civilian Support Law will no longer be exempt from paying a pharmacist's service fee for a prescription.
On June 9th, the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers supported the Ministry of Defence's report "On the Agreement with Ukraine on Cooperation in the Field of Defense", which provides for comprehensive cooperation between the two countries over the next 10 years, with the possibility of a subsequent extension.
A prototype of the 'Baltic defence line' which is planned to be constructed along the borders of the Baltic states with Russia and Belarus is currently being constructed and tested at the Sēlija military training range in southern Latvia, reports Latvian Television.
Latvian higher education institutions spend thousands to attract foreign students to their courses. How and why this happens, Latvian Radio explained for the benefit of anyone unable to work it out for themselves.
On Monday, the wreckage of the drone that was shot down in Latvian airspace was not found, as it most likely "broke into many small pieces," Māris Tūtins, head of the Information Analysis and Management Department of the Joint Staff of the National Armed Forces (NBS), told the Latvian Television programme Morning Panorama on June 9.
Latvia has lost a legendary naturalist and guardian of trees – Guntis Eniņš, who would have celebrated his 93rd birthday on June 18.
During the international military exercises "Baltic Zenith 2026" currently taking place at the Jūrmalciems military aviation training ground, Latvian-made interceptor drones are being tested. The Ministry of Defence says that such systems are planned to be deployed to defend the eastern border, Kurzeme Television reported on June 8.
Latvian volunteer soldier Uldis Volmārs has passed away. He was one of the first to go to the front lines in February 2022 to help the Ukrainians, Latvian Television reports.
The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) is calling for criminal proceedings to be initiated against the former mayor of Rēzekne, Aleksandrs Bartaševičs (Together for Latvia), who may have abused his official position regarding the construction of a spa centre, KNAB stated on June 8.
The first ever downing of a foreign drone in Latvian airspace on Monday, June 8th confirms the NATO alliance's determination to protect every centimetre of the country, Brigadier General Ilmārs Atis Lejiņš, Deputy Commander of NATO's Multinational Division "North", said on the Latvian Radio programme 'Krustpunktā' ('At the Crossroads').
In order to improve customs risk management and increase the efficiency of control, the Customs Administration department of Latvia's tax service, VID with the support of experts from the European Commission (EC), has launched a new initiative which aims to identify cigarette production equipment, components and the raw materials necessary for illicit cigarette production, using the Safety and Security Analytics (SSA) system developed by the EC and the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI).
The feeling that there have been fewer mosquitoes so far this year is indeed justified, entomologist Voldemārs Spuņģis confirmed in an interview with LSM.lv on June 8.
A second air threat alert in eastern Latvia on Monday is now over.
A new infantry fighting vehicle named 'Hunter' was presented on Saturday at the Valmiera military vehicle factory Patria Latvia.
The airspace threat that was announced in Latvia on Monday morning is over at around 10:30 in the morning, said the National Armed Forces (NBS).
The State Blood Donor Centre (VADC) is urging the public to donate blood, as there is currently a critical shortage of donors for all blood types, Latvian Television's Morning Panorama reports on June 8.
Minister of Justice Edvards Smiltēns (United List) has instructed the Prison Administration to submit, by June 10, a detailed report on the death of a juvenile inmate at the Olaine Prison Hospital, as well as on the overall situation regarding deaths and suicides in prisons, LETA reports.
Nearly 350,000 people have ID cards with chips that will no longer be suitable for creating electronic signatures. The French authorities responsible for its certification have granted a six-month extension until December 9. However, it is still too early to say that the problem will be resolved by then, reports Latvian Television's De Facto on June 8.
A man was killed in Riga on Sunday, June 7th in the evening after being struck by a train, the State Police told the LETA news agency.
The boating season is currently in full swing. There are several dozen rivers suitable for boating in Latvia, but many are especially fond of the picturesque Gauja, the rapid Brasla and the winding Abava, which can be divided into two sections - the 'tame' and the 'wild'.
The Health Inspectorate reported on June 5 that intestinal enterococci, or faecal contamination, have been detected in the sea at the Kolka swimming area in western Latvia, and swimming there is therefore prohibited.
The sounding of a fire alarm at a major Rīga hospital this week caused confusion, according to a Latvian Radio report.
On Thursday, June 4, border guards in the Augšdaugava Municipality detained a French citizen for transporting individuals who had crossed the state border illegally, the State Border Guard said in a release.
On Saturday, June 6, Sweden's National Day, Swedish Air Force JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets will perform a flyover over Latvia. They will be visible above Riga Castle and the Freedom Monument at around 13:45.
The annual international military exercise “BALTOPS 26” will take place in the Baltic Sea region, including Latvia, from June 4 to 19.
The NATO Multinational Brigade has deployed troops in Daugavpils for the first time, expanding its presence beyond the Ādaži military base. In the future, allied forces are also planned to be deployed elsewhere in Latgale, thereby demonstrating NATO’s readiness to defend the entire territory of Latvia if necessary, according to the portal Sargs.lv.
This week, State Police officers detained four members of a criminal group in connection with the illegal sale of narcotic and psychotropic substances on a large scale.
The Constitution Protection Bureau (SAB), one of Latvia's three security services, has published a new report titled "RUSSIA INTENSIFIES LAWFARE AGAINST THE WEST TO JUSTIFY MORE AGGRESSIVE ACTIVITIES".
Three attacks on doctors occurred in May at the Emergency Care Clinic of Rīga East Hospital by patients and relatives. Doctors believe that the law should be expanded so that an attack on a doctor is considered an attack on a public official, which carries a prison sentence, Latvian Television reported on June 4.
In the first quarter of 2026, the average price of agricultural output in the EU decreased by 2.9% compared with the same quarter in 2025. This was a slightly higher rate of decline than that of the last quarter of 2025 (-1.7%) according to data on agricultural price indices published by Eurostat.
According to the data of the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB), published on June 11, in 2025, residents of Latvia spent a total of EUR 1,799 billion on short trips around Latvia and abroad. Domestic tourism declined slightly last year, while the number of trips abroad increased.
On Wednesday, June 10, the new production complex of the egg production company "Balticovo" was officially opened in Iecava; approximately 120 million euros were invested in its construction, the company reported.
The State Construction Control Bureau (BVKB) inspected the Meat Pavilion at Rīga Central Market on Wednesday, and as of Thursday, June 11, it will be closed.
Following several drone incidents along Latvia’s border, a question has arisen: what would happen if an unmanned aerial vehicle damaged equipment, a building, or other property? While the government plans to introduce a compensation mechanism, it remains unclear how farmers would be protected in such cases, Latgale Regional Television reported on June 10.
To strengthen Latgale’s tourism industry, which has been negatively impacted in terms of revenue by frequent airspace alerts, the Ministry of Economics plans to reallocate 1.5 million euros to various tourism activities, according to Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis (Greens and Farmers Union) on the Latvian Radio programme "Good Morning" on June 10.
Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) provisional data published on June 9th show that in April 2026 Latvia had foreign trade turnover of EUR 4.13 billion, which at current prices was 12.6 % higher than a year ago.
The data of the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that in May 2026, compared to April 2026, the average level of consumer prices increased by 0.5 %.
The coalition parties have agreed to maintain the reduced excise tax rates on diesel fuel until the end of this year, Finance Minister Māris Kučinskis told the LETA news agency on Monday following a meeting of the coalition parties.
On Saturday, June 6th, during the annual meeting of the Board of Governors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in Rīga, the Finance Ministers of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, together with EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso, signed a memorandum of understanding on further cooperation in the development of a single Baltic capital market.
The Rīga City Council has amended the catering procurement contract for schools and kindergartens after two companies challenged the green criteria regarding organic food and delivery distance. As reported by the Latvian Television programme "De Facto," organic farmers are concerned that this could make it harder for organic food to reach children’s menus.
Next Biogas SIA, a subsidiary of the Dutch HoSt Group, will build a biomethane production plant in Lēdurga, Sigulda Municipality, for 26.8 million euros, and on Friday, the company signed a loan agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to implement the project, LETA reports.
Two cash-strapped Latvian municipalities received contrasting verdicts on their financial stabilization efforts on June 4th.
Latvia's State Treasury (Valsts Kase, VK) said on Thursday that it has raised a billion euros on the international financial markets with a bond issue.
Central Statistical Bureau data (calendar adjusted at constant prices) published on June 4th show that in April 2026 Latvia's industrial production output increased by 7.0 % year-on-year.
The government will still have to assess whether to maintain the reduced excise tax rate on diesel fuel after June 30, as its price has now stabilised, Finance Minister Māris Kučinskis (United List) said in an interview with Latvian Radio on June 4.
Amid fears that drone alerts and international tensions are depressing tourist numbers in the Baltic states, the latest Eurostat figures show a mixed picture.
On Tuesday, June 2, the first hybrid energy park in Latvia, developed by renewable energy company "Vindr," was officially opened in Līvāni municipality.
Latvia retains one of the European Union's largest proportions of people working in agriculture, according to the latest Eurostat statistics.
According to the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) data published on May 29th, gross domestic product (GDP) in Latvia increased by 2.5 % in Q1 2026 (at constant prices, seasonally and calendar non-adjusted data).
Evidence is growing that recent events near Latvia's eastern border – repeated drone incidents, regular airspace threat warnings, mobile phone alerts, NATO fighter jets being scrambled – are having serious consequences for the tourism industry, reports Latvian Radio.
The importance of the summer season to Latvia's tourist trade is underlined in fresh Eurostat figures.
Fresh Eurostat data show Latvia having the second highest at-risk-of-poverty (AROP) rate in the European Union (EU) in 2025.
The Ministry of Agriculture (ZM) and the management of the joint-stock company "Latvian State Forests" (Latvijas valsts meži, LVM) have not ensured sufficiently effective oversight of the company, according to a State Audit Office audit published on May 21, which also assessed the 2023 government decision to provide support to timber processors.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, the average price of fertilisers and soil improvers in the EU rose by 8.0% compared with the same quarter of 2024, according to latest Eurostat data.
Approximately 61,000 customers in the municipalities of Alūksne, Preiļi, Daugavpils, Jēkabpils, Smiltene, Sigulda, and Ķekava, as well as in parts of Rīga, experienced a temporary power outage on Tuesday afternoon due to a technical malfunction, according to electricity distributor AS "Sadales tīkls."
According to Central Statistical Bureau data on tourist accommodation, published on May 18th, in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026 arrivals at Latvian tourist accommodation establishments totalled 447.1 thousand and the number of nights spent comprised 779.1 thousand, which is 3.0 % less than in Q1 2025.
SIA "East-West Transit" has suffered minor losses in connection with the drones that crashed at its oil storage facility in Rēzekne on May 7, the company confirmed to LSM. The company did not specify the extent of the losses but said that the facility would close.
On Wednesday, 13th May, members of the Saeima Committee on Economic Affairs, Agriculture, Environment, and Regional Policy voiced criticism and did not support the proposed solidarity contribution for fuel retailers.
The data of the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB), published on 12th May, show that in April 2026, compared to March 2026, the average level of consumer prices increased by 0.6 %. Year-on-year, the figure in April was 2.9%.
Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) provisional data published on May 11 show that in March 2026, Latvia had a foreign trade turnover of EUR 4.09 billion, and at current prices, it was 8.9 % higher than a year ago.
The hostilities in the Middle East are already affecting fuel prices and fueling concerns about further increases in energy and food costs. Ministries are already preparing potential support scenarios, but one thing is clear: unlike during the Covid-19 era, broad benefits for everyone are not being promised, Latvian Radio reports on 11th May.
Central Statistical Bureau calendar-adjusted data at constant prices, published May 7, show that in March 2026, industrial production output increased by 9.5 % year-on-year. Output in manufacturing rose by 4.4 % and in electricity and gas supply by 34.6 %, whereas in mining and quarrying it fell by 21.5 %.
For now, shoppers are not yet feeling the impact of rising energy prices caused by the war in the Middle East on food prices, but that might happen in autumn, Latvian Radio reported on 6th May.
In order to promote Latvia's energy self-sufficiency and the development of the biomethane market, on Tuesday, May 5th, the Cabinet of Ministers approved proposals by the Ministry of Climate and Energy (KEM) for the construction of two new biomethane entry points at Ragana and Rēzekne at a cost of nearly 5 million euros.
Farmers across Latvia have begun the new season, but rising costs of mineral fertilisers and the overall economic situation in the sector do not inspire optimism, Latvian Radio reports on 5th May.
Data released by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) on May 5th show that in April 2026, compared to March 2026, the average level of consumer prices of fuels for transport increased by 8.7 % in Latvia.
Oil product terminals in Latvia never used to store fuel for the long term, but this has changed over the past couple of years, since the state began purchasing oil product reserves for its own use. The reserves are held at private terminals. The LTV programme "De Facto" found that long-term storage also brings challenges regarding maintaining fuel quality.
Calendar adjusted data (at constant prices) released by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) on April 29th show that, compared to March 2025, in March 2026 total retail trade turnover increased by 3.9 %.
At its meeting on Tuesday, 28th April, following extensive discussions, the government agreed to support the environmental impact assessment for the "Eko Ziemeļi" and "Kurzeme" wind farm projects, thereby agreeing to proceed with the development of these wind farm projects. However, the government decided to postpone the decision regarding "K2 Ventum" near Pāvilosta and instructed the Ministry of Climate and Energy (KEM) to continue public consultations on this project.
The incident involving a wind turbine toppled by strong winds has brought to light several unresolved issues regarding obsolete wind power generation facilities, including the technical oversight of these structures. No one has yet counted how many such turbines there are in Latvia that have reached the end of their service life and could therefore pose a danger, Latvian Television reported on 28th April.
Data from the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA) shows that more than one billion euros of foreign investment were attracted to Latvia last year, and politicians tend to describe this data as a real success story. But is this true or just political bragging before the upcoming Saeima elections? This is the question explored by the Latvian Television investigative programme "Aizliegtais panēmiens" (Forbidden Method), which studied the statistics and asked investors' opinions.
The Financial Intelligence Unit has identified more than 20 companies registered in Latvia that appear to have been used in fictitious 'investment' schemes to obtain residence permits.
Fuel prices in Latvia rose in the first quarter of 2026 due to objective external circumstances, the Competition Council (KP) concluded after analysing information provided by market participants, purchase prices, and international market trends in its initial investigation.
Provisional figures published by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) on April 22nd show that in 2025, Latvia's general government budget deficit amounted to EUR 1.1 billion or 2.5 % of gross domestic product (GDP).
An audit by the State Audit Office (VK), published on 21st April, has concluded that Rīga has the potential to reduce its heating rates, but is not doing so.
Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) has published on social media an assessment of the Ministry of Economics (EM) on the impact of airBaltic on the economy, signed by the Minister of Economy Viktors Valaņš (Greens and Farmers' Union/ZZS), which concludes that the cessation of airBaltic's operations would have a long-term negative impact on the Latvian economy.
Rising prices are currently the biggest concern for Latvians regarding the future – 46% of residents cited this as their main worry, according to a survey conducted by Luminor Bank in collaboration with the research agency Norstat Latvia.
The government decided on Tuesday, April 14th, that a solidarity levy will be imposed on fuel retailers if their actual retail price exceeds the objectively calculated price by more than 3%. The final decision on the draft law prepared by the Ministry of Economics (EM) will be made by the Saeima.
More than half of Latvia’s residents are convinced that their income this year will either remain at the current level (41%) or decrease (19%). 22% expect a slight increase in income, while only 4% anticipate that their income will rise significantly, according to a survey conducted by SEB Bank in collaboration with the research agency Norstat.
Heavy rain is expected in Latvia on Thursday, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
Rain is often expected in Latvia this week, according to forecasts.
A yellow (potential danger) alert has been issued across a large part of eastern and northern Latvia on Monday and Tuesday.
Forecasts indicate that it will rain in many parts of Latvia on Saturday, but Sunday will be sunnier, according to weatherman Toms Bricis.
Forecasts indicate that it will rain in many parts of Latvia on Friday.
Forecasts indicate that rain is expected more frequently in Latvia during the second half of the week, but the weather will remain warm.
Forecasts indicate that the weather in Latvia will be warm on Wednesday, with rain and thunderstorms expected in parts of Vidzeme.
On the first day of June, summer began not only on the calendar but also in nature, according to operational data from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
The beginning of June will be warmer and rainier, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
On Thursday, northwesterly winds will pick up again in Latvia, with gusts only slightly weaker than those experienced on Wednesday, forecasters warn.
On Wednesday, northwesterly winds across Latvia will intensify to 15–20 metres per second in gusts; the strongest gusts may uproot trees in some areas, forecasters warn.
On Monday, forecasters predict that westerly and northwesterly winds will pick up to 13–17 metres per second in Zemgale, Vidzeme, and Latgale.
Forecasters predict that there will be brief showers in many parts of Latvia on Friday, with heavy rain and thunderstorms expected in some areas.
Forecasters predict rain in many parts of Latvia on Thursday, with thunderstorms possible in some areas, mainly in the eastern part of the country.
On Tuesday, maximum temperatures in Latvia are expected to range from +11 to +14 degrees Celsius in Kurzeme to +20 to +24 degrees in Latgale and the eastern part of Vidzeme, according to forecasters.
Forecasts indicate that the weather in Latvia will be summery and warm in the second half of this week.
On Monday, precipitation will move across Latvia from the east – rain is expected across most of the country, but in some places there will also be heavy downpours and thunderstorms, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
Forecasts indicate that Wednesday will be the coldest day of the week in Latvia.
The drought continued in Latvia during the first ten days of May, with the most severe conditions in the Talsi and Ventspils regions, according to data compiled by the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
Forecasts indicate that this week the weather will remain moderately warm with occasional rain, but next week, Latvia will see more stable warm weather and the start of meteorological summer.
Forecasts indicate that the eastern part of Latvia will see cloudy weather with occasional rain over the weekend.
Forecasts indicate that frost is expected in some parts of Latvia tonight.
Last night saw significant rainfall in many parts of Latvia, but forecasts indicate that rain will continue only in the eastern part of the country as the day progresses.
Forecasters predict that the upcoming four-day weekend in Latvia will bring the warmest weather in the last seven months.
Forecasts indicate that rain is expected in some parts of Latvia on Thursday.
The period from September 2025 to March of this year was the second-driest on record in Latvia, according to data compiled by the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
Forecasts indicate that wind speeds in Latvia will decrease on Wednesday.
Forecasts indicate that the weather in Latvia will remain cool over the next few days, but will become significantly warmer in early May.
A wind turbine collapsed on Sunday in Bunka Parish, Dienvidkurzeme Municipality, as confirmed to the LETA news agency by Jānis Meisters, owner of SIA "Jaunmiki."
Forecasts by weatherman Toms Bricis indicate that Monday will be cool and windy in Latvia.
Cold air will move into Latvia on Sunday and linger into next week. Forecasters warn that strong winds and precipitation are expected on Sunday.
In the second half of this week, the weather in Latvia will turn cooler, with precipitation expected over the weekend; moreover, forecasts indicate that it will snow in many places on Sunday.
Forecasts indicate that the weather will be sunny throughout Latvia on Monday.
Forecasts indicate that Saturday will be the warmest and sunniest day of the weekend.
Forecasts indicate that rain is expected in many parts of western and eastern Latvia on Thursday.
Forecasts indicate that the weather in Latvia will be mostly warm and sunny this week.
Forecasts indicate that the weather will gradually become warmer both over the weekend and next week.
Forecasts indicate that the warmest weather on Friday will be in southern Kurzeme.
Forecasts indicate that Tuesday will be chilly throughout Latvia, with occasional rain and wet snow expected in some areas.
Easter in Latvia will be slightly warmer, with more sunshine, though precipitation is also possible, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
Forecasts indicate that a variety of weather conditions are expected in Latvia over the long Easter weekend – ranging from spring-like warmth and sunshine to rain, sleet, and gusty winds.
Forecasts indicate that there will be no major changes in the weather this week.
Forecasts indicate that the weather in Latvia will remain spring-like and warm this week, but will turn cooler next week, with snow in some areas.
Forecasts indicate that the weather in Latvia will remain spring-like and warm this week, with temperatures in some areas potentially exceeding +15 degrees on certain days.
While winter's precipitation continues to melt away, a yellow alert (potential danger) remains in place across a large part of eastern and southern Latvia over the weekend, and into next week, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVĢMC).
Forecasts indicate that the weekend will be sunny throughout Latvia.
According to information on the website "timeanddate.com," starting on March 18, the length of the day in Latvia exceeds the length of the night.
Forecasts indicate that thick fog is expected in many parts of Latvia on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
Forecasts indicate that the weather in Latvia will become slightly cooler this week, though temperatures will remain above the seasonal average.
The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts light frost in many parts of Latvia over the coming nights.
