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
The Riga City Council Ethics Commission is to assess the aggressive and rude actions of opposition deputy Rūdolfs Brēmanis (Sovereign Power/Young Latvians Union), which received widespread attention over the weekend.
With four repatriation flights having already brought Latvians home from the war-torn Middle East, no additional flights are now required, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
On 10th–11th March, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs will play host the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, and First Lady, Eva Pavlova, who are on a state visit to Latvia.
The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it summoned the Russian chargé d'affaires on Monday, March 9th.
In 2025, women held 33.6% of the seats in national parliaments across the EU, marking a 5.4 percentage points (pp) increase compared with 2015. Latvia fared slightly worse than this at 31% – despite famously having more women than men than anywhere else, as a proportion of the population.
Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, decided on March 5th not to back proposals to change the rules on second-pillar pension savings.
On February 25th, the State Security Service (VDD) urged the prosecutor's office to initiate criminal proceedings against a Latvian citizen for unlawfully influencing the choice of several voters in last year's municipal elections in the Cēsis municipality.
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže is in Warsaw on Wednesday, attending an allied ministerial meeting of the Baltic Sea countries in Warsaw with the ministers of Iceland, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Germany, Finland, Denmark, Estonia, and European Union High Representative Kaja Kallas.
President Edgars Rinkēvičs made an inspection trip to Latvia's soggy eastern border on March 2nd.
Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) perhaps unsurprisingly said her government was doing well on March 2nd, as she outlined its achievements over the last year.
There may be only 100 members of the Latvian parliament, but that didn't stop nearly a tenth of them falling foul of either the law or the Saeima's own rules between September last year and January this year.
The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 1st invited citizens who are in parts of the Middle East affected by the armed conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States to register their names.
A statement released by the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the wake of an American-Israeli attack on Iran and subsequent counter-attacks by Iran on other Middle Eastern countries recommends that Latvians in the conflict zone follow the advice of whichever country they happen to be in.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs announced on 27th February that he had signed and submitted to the Presidium of the Saeima a draft law “Amendment to the Law on Financing National Defence”, proposing to enshrine in the Law on Financing National Defence a commitment that, starting from 2027, no less than 5% of the gross domestic product projected for the respective year be allocated to national defence.
On February 20th, Uldis Bluķis, a scientist and one of the founders and activists of the Baltic Appeal to the United Nations, passed away at the age of 93 in New York State, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Saeima on Thursday, February 26th, supported in its final reading urgent changes to the law to increase housing benefits for low-income residents, as well as vulnerable families with children, during this cold winter.
On Wednesday, the Rīga City Council approved the list of polling stations for the 15th Saeima elections scheduled for October 3 this year – voters in the capital will be able to cast their ballots at 158 polling stations.
The National Alliance party will have to repay the state budget for the unlawfully used state budget funds in the amount of EUR 210,673, the LETA agency found out in court.
The leaders of the Baltic states and the Nordic countries, collectively known as the Nordic-Baltic 8 (NB8) gathered in Kyiv, Ukraine on February 24th in a show of support for President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his people. They issued the following joint statement:
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 24th February 2026, exactly four years since Russia launched its failed full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa is on a working visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 24th to mark four years since the start of the brutal war launched by Russia.
Member of the European Parliament (EP) Nils Ušakovs has left the board of the Harmony party, LETA reports on 24th February.
Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine has been going on for four years now, and it has become clear that the end of the war will be neither quick nor easy, said President Edgars Rinkēvičs in a video address on Tuesday, February 24th, the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.
A former Latvian diplomat who was subject to searches as part of a corruption investigation has had his complaint to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rejected, according to a release from the court.
The dispute between the government and local authorities over territorial planning and wind parks, which started over a month ago, has not yet been resolved, Latvian Television reported on 20th February. If no solution is found, the final word will be up to the court.
Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, on February 19th adopted a statement marking four years since the launch of Russia's brutal and illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The Latvian political party named 'Stabilitātei!' (For Stability!) singularly failed to live up to its name on February 18th with Latvian Television reporting that its parliamentary faction had disbanded following the departure of another of its members of parliament, Dmitrijs Kovaļenko.
Latvia joined what it called a group of "likeminded" countries on February 16th marking the second anniversary of the murder of Alexei Navalny by the Russian state.
Geopolitical endorsements don't come any more fulsome than the one handed out by Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs on February 14th to American Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Latvia's Foreign Ministry has announced a grant project competition for development cooperation in several specific countries for 2026, and invites all those interested to an informative seminar.
The discussions and sometimes oddball speechifying of the World Economic Forum in Davos may still be ringing in the ears of presidents and prime ministers across Europe and beyond, but already the international geopolitical debating circus is rolling on to the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Germany, with several Latvian participants set to check in to the venue at the luxury Hotel Bayerischer Hof from February 13th to 15th.
Three MPs – Iļja Ivanovs, Igors Judins, and Amils Saļimovs– have left the Saeima faction For Stability!, according to information available to Latvian Television. This leaves only five MPs in the faction.
Raimonds Čudars (New Unity), Minister of Smart Administration and Regional Development, has issued an order suspending Aleksandrs Bartaševičs (Together for Latvia), Chairman of the Rēzekne City Council, LSM's Latgale editorial reports.
Rēzekne's mayor Aleksandrs Bartaševičs (Together for Latvia), who has not been granted access to state secrets as required by law, continued to perform his duties at the council meeting on Thursday, February 5, LSM Latgale studio reports.
On Thursday, February 5th, a Saeima motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) requested by the opposition faction Latvia First (LPV) failed – not least because it wasn't supported by the very people who had demanded it.
Latvia's parliament, the Saeima on Thursday, February 5, emphasized in a special statement its desire to strengthen and deepen cooperation with both Canada and the United States in the areas of security, economy and technology.
The President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, will get an extended taste of la dolce vita from February 5th to 12th when he will be in Italy.
Of the local government leaders who had needed clearance to state secrets required by law, only Aleksandrs Bartaševičs, chairman of the Rēzekne City Council, and Gatis Truksnis, former mayor of Jūrmala, were denied access, according to the State Security Service (VDD).
Andris Krauja, the deputy mayor to date, has been elected mayor of Ogre Municipality, LSM.lv reports on 3rd February.
On 2nd February 2026, the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, hosted the visit of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ghana, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Egils Helmanis (National Alliance), chairman of the Ogre Municipal Council, announced his resignation on his Facebook account on Tuesday, February 3rd.
Information from the State Security Service suggests that Aleksandrs Bartaševičs (Together for Latvia), Rēzekne's mayor, has been denied access to state secrets necessary for work to the LSM.lv reports.
Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa will be on a working visit to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from the 2nd to the 5th of February 2026.
On Thursday, January 29th, Egils Helmanis (National Alliance), mayor of Ogre Municipality, resumed his duties and chaired a council meeting, despite not having the legally required clearance to state secrets.
The annual foreign policy debates will be held at Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, on Thursday, January 29th.
The head of the Central Election Commission (CVK), Māris Zviedris, has promised that this year's parliamentary elections, which will take place in October, will run smoothly and that the mistakes that cost the job of his predecessor will not repeated, reports LSM's Latvian-language service in an interview.
Wednesday, January 28th brings another high-level visitor to Latvia in the form of Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Maria Malmer Stenergard, who will also address Latvian Ambassadors at the annual meeting of diplomatic representatives which takes place this week in Riga and brings together 45 Latvian Ambassadors from around the world.
On 26th January, Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, welcomed the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, Dr Johann Wadephul, during his working visit to Latvia.
Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be the centre of a mini diplomatic whirlwind this week with a spate of high-level foreign visitors expected by Foreign Minister Baiba Braže.
A conference titled “Free and Fair Elections: Contemporary Challenges” will be held in the Saeima on Friday, January 23rd.
Latvian hematologist Sandra Lejniece has been named alongside presidents and prime ministers as the recipient of a prestigious new European Union award.
The number of crimes committed increased in Latvia last year, according to data compiled by the Prosecutor General's Office.
A public consultation is underway in Rēzekne regarding the planned construction of a supermarket in the historic city centre.
The Saeima Legal Committee on Tuesday, March 10th, supported amendments to the Criminal Law, which are planned to determine that an attack on an employee of the Emergency Medical Service (NMPD) who is performing his or her official duties will be equated with an attack on a public official.
Several dozen animal carcasses have been found in the territory of the Ķemeri National Park. As the snow has melted, an unpleasant sight has opened up – dead cattle.
Tatjana Pladere, a leading researcher at the University of Latvia, has been awarded the Optica Ambassador title — a distinction granted by the international professional society Optica (formerly The Optical Society of America) in the fields of optics and photonics, reports Labs of Latvia.
The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) have arrested a Latvian citizen on suspicion of operating a SIM box in Tallinn, which masks the international origin of calls in order to help facilitate fraud, reports ERR News.
Will Latvians soon have to pay to take a walk in the forest or to pick mushrooms? The answer is "No", so unless you want another example of how averse social media users are to fact-checking, you could save a shred of your sanity and stop reading here.
The Āgenskalns Neighborhood Association and other activists continue to raise the issue of the future fate of Mazais Arkādijas parks (Little Arcadia park) in Rīga, and oppose the planned development of this historically and culturally significant site.
School pupils in Latvia are enjoying a week's holiday, and they and their parents are being urged not turn the break into a tragedy by by venturing onto the winter ice cover that still remains on many lakes and ponds.
Water levels continue to rise in some Latvian rivers, and they have also begun to rise more rapidly in the Daugava, according to data from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LCĢMC).
In the month and a half since Latvian Television's De Facto investigative show first reported on Andris Medians, who presented himself as an experienced addiction treatment specialist and in connection with whom criminal proceedings for sexual violence have been initiated, a lot has happened. Several more people have come forward, stating that they experienced harassment during consulatations with Medians, and the Health Inspectorate has found unauthorized medical treatment during an inspection.
"We don't want flowers, we want safety" - these and other slogans were agreed upon by both women and many men participating at the women's solidarity march organized by the association "Centrs Marta" on March 8th in Rīga.
At the end of last year, the Latvian State Police received information about the sale of tobacco products in the Olaine region which led to raids by Riga Regional Administration Pieriga South Precinct of the State Police which on March 3rd of this year detained a resident of Olaine born in 1987 in connection with these offences, the police said in a release.
A discussion was held at Rīga Castle on March 6th on the subject of the various demographic challenges facing Latvia, and it involved politicians, demographers, academics and others – but was held behind closed doors, supposedly to allow participants to speak more freely than they might otherwise do and to avoid political grandstanding.
Black storks (Ciconia nigra) have returned to Latvia earlier than in previous years, according to information on the website "Dabasdati.lv," where nature observers record their observations.
The Azalea House at the Botanical Garden of the University of Latvia (LU) is in full bloom. Currently, more than 140 varieties are blooming in one place, according to the Botanical Garden.
Latvia has become the first country in the world to legally recognize Ukrainian e-signatures, reports Labs of Latvia.
On Thursday, March 5th morning, the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) evacuated two people from a household flooded due to thaw in Garkalne parish, Ropaži municipality.
A fisherman from Latvia crossed the control line between Estonia and Russia on Lake Peipus and entered Russian territory without permission, where he was detained by Russian border guards, LETA reports on 5th March.
On March 4th, the State Police Cybercrime Combating Department, together with Europol, foreign law enforcement agencies, and private sector partners, shut down the global phishing service platform Tycoon2FA, deactivating 330 domains that formed the basis of the criminal infrastructure.
The Senate of the University of Latvia (UL) has approved regulations on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the study process, establishing a legally defined framework for the use of AI in studies, reports Labs of Latvia. The new regulations will come into force almost immediately – on 16th March, 2026.
Due to thick snow cover and ice on water bodies, more severe flooding is possible this spring. Floods are expected first in Kurzeme – on the Venta and Bārta rivers, followed by the Lielupe basin in Zemgale and the Gauja. Although weather conditions are currently favourable, local governments are gradually preparing for various scenarios, Latvian Radio reported on 5th March.
Last year, the Riga Municipal Police responded to more than 130,000 calls, half of which were related to traffic violations, according to a review of the municipal police's work in the capital last year, published on Wednesday.
In Latvia, the incidence of influenza continues to exceed the epidemic threshold, but has decreased slightly over the past week, according to the latest information from the Disease Prevention and Control Centre (SPKC).
State-funded vaccination against cancer-causing human papillomavirus is available to a wider range of people, including those at increased risk up to the age of 55, according to the Disease Prevention and Control Centre (SPKC).
In Rīga this week, a man killed his 76-year-old mother by throwing her from a fourth-floor balcony, the State Police have reported.
Taking into account weather conditions, from Wednesday, March 4th, it is prohibited to be on the ice of all water bodies and coastal waters within the administrative territory of Rīga, the city council announced.
On March 3rd, the government supported the Ministry of the Interior's proposal for mandatory registration of prepaid SIM card users from October 1st. This would mean that it would no longer be possible to purchase and use prepaid SIM cards anonymously – they would have to be registered in the name of a specific person.
Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) data, published on 2nd March, show that the number of new entrants in vocational education totalled 10.3 thousand in the 2025/2026 school year. Engineering, manufacturing and construction recorded the largest number of entrants – 4.1 thousand (39.6 % of all new entrants).
The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) says in a review of its activities in 2025 that it launched 45 criminal proceedings. Despite being less than one per week, this is the largest number in the last five years, the bureau said.
A criminal case has been filed with the Riga City Court against a Latvian national for transferring money with the aim of supporting Russia's illegal military operations in Ukraine, reports LSM's Latvian language service.
Three cases of the tropical Chikungunya virus have been confirmed in Latvia this year, the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC) has confirmed.
The large-scale military escalation in the Middle East, which began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran, has paralysed most of the region's airspace. According to estimates by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are currently more than 500 Latvian citizens in the region who had travelled there for short-term trips but are now unable to return home, Latvian Television reports on 2nd March.
Self-harm among adolescents has increased tenfold over the past seven years, according to an analysis commissioned by the Ministry of Health (VM) last year on cases of self-harm among children and young people recorded in outpatient clinics, LETA reported on 2nd March.
The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB), Latvia's national anti-graft agency, has launched an investigation to assess information provided by the State Audit Office (VK) regarding the purchase of electric buses by municipalities worth 8.8 million euros, financed from the European Recovery Fund, reported Latvian Television's investigative programme De Facto on March 1st.
This winter has been tragic in Latvia in terms of the number of people who have died in fires, said Mārtiņš Baltmanis, head of the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD), in an interview with Latvian Radio on 2nd March.
The flood season could begin in Latvia as early as next week. The Ministry of Climate forecasts that it will last from March 5th to April 15th this year. This winter, the snow and ice cover on rivers in Latvia is much thicker than in other years, Latvian Radio reports on 27th February.
In February, the Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS) "successfully tested the Skorpion 2 remote mine-laying system in a range of conditions to improve anti-tank defence solutions and strengthen the country's deterrence capabilities," according to a release from the NBS.
From February 28th to March 1st, the National Guard's 1st Riga Brigade will conduct training in Bauska municipality.
Crimes related to war justification, fraud, and petty theft are on the State Police's radar this year and were also common last year On Thursday, February 26th, the State Police leadership assessed last year's achievements and trends in the field of criminal offences.
The planned transition to full Latvian-language education in all Latvian schools is being hindered by a shortage of suitably qualified specialist teachers, reports Latvian Radio.
The Competition Council (KP) has found signs of prohibited agreements between the two largest food retailers, the KP said on 27th February.
Latvian residents' perceptions of gender equality in society are stable but stagnant. Most survey respondents believe that gender equality exists in Latvia overall, but the figure has not changed significantly in the last two years, according to the Novatore Gender Equality Barometer conducted by the research agency Norstat, presented in Rīga on 26th February.
The Latvian team at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) is working on a new sensor for an experiment, LSM's Kārlis Miksons reports.
On February 20th this year, the State Security Service (VDD) asked the prosecutor's office to start criminal proceedings against a person for publicly praising and justifying war crimes committed by Russia, as well as inciting national and ethnic hatred and discord, the service said.
The Prime Minsters of Poland, Latvia and Lithuania published a joint declaration on February 25th outlining their "Commitment to Cooperation" on tackling hybrid threats along their borders with Russia and Belarus.
Latvian language technology company Tilde has adapted its large language model (LLM) TildeOpen for translation and integrated it into a machine translation platform that will provide translations in 34 European languages, including Latvian, the company announced.
Doctors who fled from Ukraine after Russia launched its failed full-scale invasion of the country four years ago have found work in Latvia's eastern Latgale region and plan to stay there long term.
Six patients with confirmed influenza infection died last week, bringing the total number of deaths since the start of the flu season to 28, according to the Disease Prevention and Control Centre (SPKC) data on 25th February.
Data published on March 10th by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that in February 2026, compared to February 2025, the average level of consumer prices increased by 2.3 %.
There is no fuel shortage in Latvia – supply chains are working very well, they are sufficiently diversified. It is clear that we are not currently threatened by any disruptions in the fuel market, claimed Minister of Economy Viktors Valainis (Union of Greens and Farmers) in an interview on Latvian Television's "Morning Panorama" on March 10th.
Latvian Radio reports that to ensure the possibility of delivering liquefied propane gas to Latvia by tankers, the company "Latvijas Propāna Gāze" (Latvian Propane Gas, LPG) has invested ten million euros in the modernization of its terminal.
Central Statistical Bureau calendar adjusted data at constant prices, published on 6th March, show that in January 2026, industrial production output increased by 13.2 % year-on-year.
To make it easier for Latvian residents to obtain complete information about their financial obligations and creditworthiness, the Saeima on Thursday, March 5th, supported amendments to the Law "On Taxes and Duties" in a second reading.
There is currently no panic over fuel supply or rapid price hikes due to the events in the Middle East, said Ieva Ligere, chair of the Latvian Fuel Traders Association, in an interview on Latvian Television's "Rīta Panorāma" programme on Wednesday morning.
Energy communities are beginning to form in Latvia – their goal is to share surplus electricity with neighbours rather than feeding it into the general power grid. Such projects are not allowed to generate profit – any funds earned must be invested in the community's needs, Latvian Television reported on 2nd March.
The State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ģirts Krūmiņš, who in recent years has been the ministry's representative as a shareholder in Latvijas Valsts meži (LVM), has been let go from the post. On the LTV programme "De Facto," aired on 1st March, Minister of Agriculture Armands Krauze (ZZS) cited a possible conflict of interest as one of the reasons for this decision.
As of March 1st it is possible to submit annual income declarations to the State Revenue Service (VID).
Data compiled by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) on 27th February show that in 2025, compared to 2024, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose by 2.1 %. Last year GDP at current prices amounted to EUR 43.0 billion.
In order to promote entrepreneurship and investment in the regions, the Saeima on Thursday, February 26, adopted amendments to the laws extending the term of operation of the Rēzekne Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Liepāja SEZ until December 31st, 2050.
Investigative journalism organization Re:Baltica has a new story examining the relationships between the three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, and the German industrial giant Rheinmetall (RHM), which has advanced plans to build munitions factories in the region.
This month, the final reports were officially submitted and the 2014-2020 European Union (EU) funds planning period was completed. Summarizing the data, it can be seen that during this period, a total of 4.6 billion euros of funding flowed into the Latvian economy from EU sources, with around 2,450 projects in various fields supported.
On Tuesday, February 24th, the government approved the allocation of €1.88 million to support Ukraine's energy and military sectors.
Latvia has begun manufacturing wooden cladding panels, which promise to double the speed of insulating apartment buildings. The facade parts prepared at the factory only need to be attached to the building wall like a construction set. The first such building is being constructed in the northern town of Valka, Latvian Television reported on 23rd February.
Latvia's agricultural sector adds considerable and increasing value to the country's gross domestic product (GDP), according to Eurostat figures published on February 23rd.
Central Statistical Bureau provisional data, published on 18th February, show that almost 3.2 million tonnes of grain were harvested in 2025, which is 44.5 thousand tonnes (1.4 %) more compared with 2024.
While January and February brought real winter frosts to Latvia, work continued unabated in the greenhouses. Young people from Bulduri Technical School are now planting spring flowers, while cucumbers are ripening in the greenhouses in Mārupe. However, the cold weather has significantly increased heating costs, Latvian Television reports on 20th February.
Provisional data from the Central Statistical Bureau published on February 19th show that in 2025 Latvia exported EUR 19.54 billion worth of goods, EUR 698.1 million or 3.7 % more than in 2024, and imported EUR 23.19 billion, EUR 1.5 billion or 6.9 % more.
Latvia's Ministry of Finance (FM) said on February 17th that it has raised its GDP growth forecast for 2026 from 2.1% to 2.6%.
Latvia saw its highest electricity consumption in recent years in January, and this high consumption trend is expected to continue in February bills. At the same time, last month's prices on the electricity exchange reached record highs, Latvian Television reported on 16th February.
Central Statistical Bureau provisional data, published on 16th February, show that in 2025, the output of dairy products for sale increased by 14.4 thousand tonnes (9.6 %) compared with the year before.
To promote entrepreneurship and investment in the regions, the Saeima on Thursday, February 12th, adopted amendments extending the term of the Latgale Special Economic Zone (SEZ) until December 31, 2050 and adding Alūksne municipality to the SEZ.
In December 2025, compared to December 2024, Latvian exports of timber and wood products to the United States (US) decreased significantly. The Latvian Timber Federation (LKF) explained the significant drop in exports by the tariffs imposed by the US on wood last fall, but this is not the only reason.
The data of the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB), published on 11th February, show that in January 2026, compared to December 2025, the average level of consumer prices remained unchanged.
Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) provisional data published on February 10th show that in December 2025 Latvia had foreign trade turnover of EUR 3.37 billion, and at current prices it was 1.4 % higher than a year earlier.
Central Statistical Bureau calendar-adjusted data at constant prices, published on 10th February, show that construction output increased by 9 % in 2025, compared with 2024. Construction of buildings rose by 1.2 %, civil engineering by 25.7 %, and specialised construction activities by 2.9 %.
Registration for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Annual Meeting of Governors and Business Forum, which will take place in Rīga from 5 to 7 June, has begun, according to a release from the Ministry of Finance.
Since the Baltic states successfully disconnected from the same 'BRELL' energy grid as Russia and Belarus one year ago, those aggressor states can no longer affect Latvia's energy system by cutting energy sources, but at the same time, there are still risks that are also seen elsewhere in Europe including hybrid threats, cyberattacks and potential sabotage, according to Rolands Irklis, chairman of the board of electricity transmission system operator AS Augstsprieguma tīkls (AST), speaking on Monday on the Latvian Television program "Rīta panorāma" (Morning panorama).
In 2024, more than two-thirds (68%) of the population living in EU households owned their home, slightly down from 69% in 2023. The remaining 32% lived in rented housing, up from 31% in the previous year.
Central Statistical Bureau data published on February 4th show that (calendar adjusted, at constant prices) industrial production output rose in Latvia by 4.0 % in 2025, compared with 2024.
Residents will see their heating bills rise this winter in Rīga. Estimates by Rīgas siltums show that this could be as much as 60%, Latvian Radio reported on 30th January.
Latvia's retail sector enjoyed a fairly good December according to calendar adjusted Central Statistical Bureau data published on January 29th.
The construction and installation of equipment for a cheese production facility has been completed at Baltic Dairy Board, a Latvian milk processing company owned by Lithuania's Vilvi Group, in Bauska. More than €60 million has been invested in the new production complex, and commercial cheese production has begun, the company announced on 28th January.
Data published by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) of Latvia on January 28th show that in December 2025, compared to December 2024, level of construction costs increased by 2.0 %. Compared to November 2025, level of construction costs rose by 0.2 %.
Producer prices in Latvia's industrial sector increased by 1.0 % year-on-year and reduced by 0.8 % month-on-month according to data published on January 22nd by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB).
The Rīga City Council continues to discuss Rīga's budget issues – the budget itself was approved late on Wednesday evening, while on Thursday it will decide on more specific issues, including borrowing for several large projects, such as the construction of a new primary school in Mežaparks and the reconstruction of the Vanšu Bridge, Latvian Radio reports.
A shortage of pellets has arisen in Latvia's retail market because traders based their calculations on the previous winter's experience, said Didzis Palejs, chairman of the board of the Latvian Biomass Association "LATbio" LETA reports on 22nd January.
With outdoor temperatures falling, heat energy consumption in Rīga could increase by 59% in January compared to December, according to the municipal heating company "Rīgas siltums".
To attract tourists, Rīga plans to spend two million euros more on marketing and advertising this year than last, Latvian Radio reports on 19th January.
On Friday, January 16th, the international credit rating agency Moody's affirmed Latvia's credit rating at the current A3 level, maintaining a stable outlook.
Despite the government's long-standing focus on the shadow economy, the current approach is not effective enough, as the measures are focused on the consequences rather than the causes. This is the conclusion made by the State Audit Office (VK) in its performance audit of the state's approach to curbing the shadow economy.
Until recently, butter prices were skyrocketing, but over the last month, they have been falling rapidly in stores. Shopkeepers confirm that price changes have taken place. In some stores, a packet of butter is available for 99 cents, Latvian Radio reported on 14th January.
Fresh data published by Eurostat suggests that Latvia is a place where tourists like to linger a bit longer than in the other Baltic states.
The data of the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that in December 2025, compared to November 2025, the average level of consumer prices decreased by 0.1 %.
Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) provisional data show that in November 2025 Latvia had foreign trade turnover of EUR 3.43 billion, and at current prices it was 1.1 % higher than a year ago.
In the third quarter of 2025, house prices, as measured by Eurostat's House Price Index, increased by 5.1% in the euro area and by 5.5% in the European Union compared with the same quarter of the previous year, according to fresh figures, which also show that on a quarterly basis house prices rose faster in Latvia than anywhere else in the EU.
Central Statistical Bureau calendar-adjusted data at constant prices, published on 8th January, show that in November 2025, industrial production output increased by 6.9 % year-on-year.
Rīga's municipal government wants to upgrade street vending by buying tables for this purpose to be set out in the city, Latvian Radio reports on 8th January.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the number of companies whose owners or ultimate beneficiaries have changed their citizenship from 'Russian' and 'Belarusian' has increased rapidly, and the most common changes have been to citizenship of Israel, Latvia and Antigua and Barbuda, reports Latvian Radio.
As a general thaw continues across Latvia, a nationwide yellow warning (potential danger) has been issued by the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVĢMC).
According to forecasts, dry and gradually warmer weather is expected in Latvia until at least mid-March.
According to forecasts, Thursday will be mostly sunny in Latvia.
According to information from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVĢMC), meteorological spring began in Latvia on February 27.
On the last day of February and the first day of March, ten maximum air temperature records were broken in Latvia, according to data from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
In the coming nights, the air will cool down to 0...-3 degrees in many places, while during the day, above freezing air temperatures are expected throughout the country, which will cause the snow to continue melting, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
As a widespread thaw sets in across Latvia, the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVĢMC) has issued warnings about potential hazards, particularly in the western Kurzeme district.
The last working day of the week in Latvia will bring grey weather conditions, with a thaw prevailing, but a frost is also possible in the east of the country, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Center (LVĢMC).
Wednesday in Latvia will be mostly sunny and dry, with light snow expected in the southeast in the morning, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
Overnight from Tuesday, February 17th to Wednesday, February 18th, a yellow (potential danger) alert is in place across the eastern half of Latvia, issued by the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVĢMC).
Early Tuesday morning, the temperature at the Daugavpils observation station, located east of the city near the Ruģeļi water body, reached -32 degrees Celsius, which is the coldest temperature in Europe this morning and a new record for February 17th in Latvia.
The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVĢMC) has issued another set of weather warnings concerning very cold temperatures expected from Monday, February 16 to Tuesday, February 17.
The cold weather will continue in Latvia this week, with very severe frosts at night in some places, but the air temperature will rise at the weekend, approaching zero in the western regions, according to forecasts by the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVĢMC).
Weather warnings have been issued for southern parts of Latvia overnight from February 15th to 16th.
A yellow weather warning (potential danger) has been issued for all of Latvian territory overnight from February 14th to 15th.
After the snowstorm that will sweep across Latvia on Friday, the weather will improve over the weekend, but it will become colder, according to forecasts.
On Friday morning, winds are gradually picking up in Latvia and snow is falling across an increasing part of the country, according to meteorological information.
On Friday morning, Latvia will be hit by a major snowstorm, which, according to weather forecasters, is likely to be the strongest this winter in many parts of the country.
Since Wednesday afternoon, the snow cover in Dagda has increased from 45 to 51 centimetres, which is the deepest snow in Latvia in the last three years, according to data from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVĢMC).
Are weather forecasts accurate, and if not, then what's the point? And what's up with the Latvian town of Zosēni, where it's always coldest? Toms Bricis, LSM's weatherman and a household name for many ("Bricis said..."), answered these intriguing questions in a conversation with Latvian Television.
On Friday, February 13th – yes, it's Friday the 13th – and overnight into Saturday, February 14th, Latvia is expected to experience heavy snowfall, according to the latest weather forecasts.
A 'yellow alert' (potential danger) has been issued by the Latvian Evironment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVĢMC) for freezing conditions in the north-east of the country for the remainder of Tuesday and into Wednesday.
As the cold weather continues, temperatures in some parts of Latvia will remain around -25 degrees Celsius on Tuesday morning, warns the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
The deepest snow in Latvia remains in the southern part of Latgale, where the ground is covered with a layer of snow up to 46 centimeters high, according to data from the Latvian Center for Environment, Geology and Meteorology (LVĢMC).
The average air temperature in Latvia during the first month of this year was -8.7 degrees Celsius, which is 5.7 degrees lower than the 1991–2020 average, according to data compiled by the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
According to forecasts, Latvia will continue to experience severe frost and sunny weather until the middle of the week, but in the second half of the week, the skies will cloud over and it will become slightly warmer.
Last night and this morning, Latvia reached a national cold record for February 2nd, according to information from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVĢMC).
Latvia's severe cold snap is set to continue on Sunday night and into Monday morning with further severe weather warnings issued across almost the whole of the country.
On the morning of Saturday, January 31st, the air temperature at the Daugavpils observation station in south-eastern Latvia dropped to -32 degrees Celsius – the biggest freeze recorded in the country since February 2012, according to data from the Latvian Center for Environment, Geology and Meteorology (LVĢMC).
The cold weather in Latvia will intensify over the weekend, with significantly warmer temperatures expected only in the middle of next week, according to forecasts.
On Thursday night and Friday morning, a yellow alert, the lowest level, will be in effect in central and eastern Latvia due to severe frost, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
On Thursday, the weather in Latvia will be mostly sunny, but the frost will intensify, according to forecasts.
The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVĢMC) warns that prolonged snowfall is expected in southern Latvia on Tuesday night.
According to the latest weather forecasts, the coldest temperatures of this winter are expected in Latvia at the end of this week and in the first half of next week, and the Gulf of Rīga will begin to freeze over.
The last week of January in Latvia will also be cold, with temperatures set to drop even further at the weekend, according to forecasts.
The weather in Latvia will become colder over the weekend, according to forecasts.
On Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, temperatures will drop below -20 Celsius in many places in central and eastern Latvia, according to forecasts.
On Tuesday night and in the morning, the air temperature will drop to -20 to -24 C in places in all regions of Latvia, according to weather forecasters.
The weather forecast for this week in Latvia can essentially be summed as 'varying degrees of cold'. The week will start bitter, will then become a more moderate freezing, and will finish merely extremely chilly, with no prospect of water returning from solid to liquid form throughout the week.
The following night, temperatures may reach -20 C in some places, but Wednesday will be sunny, according to forecasts.
According to forecasts, the weather in Latvia will remain cold throughout this week.
A yellow (potential danger) weather alert has been issued for a large part of Kurzeme region on Sunday, January 11th by the Latvian Environment, Gelology and Meteorology Centre (LVĢMC).
A yellow warning (potential danger) has been issued for Friday night and Saturday by the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVĢMC).
During the weekend, strong winds will be accompanied by snowfall, with blizzards in many places, according to weatherman Toms Bricis.
Strong winds are expected in Latvia on Friday, causing low snow flurries, according to forecasts.
According to forecasts, it will snow continuously in eastern Latvia overnight into Tuesday.
Forecasts indicate that the cold weather in Latvia will intensify this week.
With the arrival of warmer air masses, temperatures will rise on Friday and snow will gradually turn to sleet and rain, with thawing also expected in some places, according to forecasts by the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
According to forecasts, the weather in Latvia will become colder and snowier in the last days of the year.
According to forecasts, snow and sleet are expected throughout Latvia on Monday.
