Latvia Population
Europe & Central Asia · 150th most populous · High income
Population right now (estimate)
1,829,153
The population of Latvia is about 1,829,153 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 1.8 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.02% of the world's people.
Latvia is ranked 150th of 217 by population. The population is shrinking, by about 0.77% a year. It peaked around 1989 at 2.7 million and is projected to fall to 1.5 million by 2050. It has fewer people today than in 1960 (2.1 million). Population density is 29 people per square kilometre. 69% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
1.8 million
Yearly change
−0.77%
World rank
150th
Share of world
0.02%
Density
29/km²
Land area
62,230 km²
Life expectancy
76.4 yrs
Births per woman
1.24
GDP per capita
$26,312
GDP
$48.6B
Population of Latvia, 1960–2050
Latvia population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 2,120,979 | — | 34 |
| 1970 | 2,359,164 | +0.68% | 38 |
| 1980 | 2,511,701 | +0.23% | 40 |
| 1990 | 2,663,151 | −0.14% | 43 |
| 2000 | 2,367,550 | −0.96% | 38 |
| 2010 | 2,097,555 | −2.06% | 34 |
| 2020 | 1,900,449 | −0.70% | 31 |
| 2024 | 1,866,124 | −0.93% | 30 |
| 2026proj. | 1,833,589 | −0.77% | 29 |
| 2030proj. | 1,775,893 | −0.83% | 29 |
| 2040proj. | 1,638,864 | −0.80% | 26 |
| 2050proj. | 1,510,791 | −0.82% | 24 |
Latvia vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 97.0 times as many people as Latvia. Bangladesh is 46.4 times more densely populated.
Latvia population: questions and answers
What is the population of Latvia in 2026?
About 1,833,589 (1.8 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is Latvia's population growing?
No — it is falling by about 0.77% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Latvia?
About 29 people per km², with a land area of 62,230 km².
What will the population of Latvia be in 2050?
About 1.5 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Latvia?
Riga.
What is the life expectancy in Latvia?
76.4 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.