Updated
Overview
Belarus has 4.9 times the population of Latvia: 9.09 million people against 1.85 million (2025).
Belarus's economy is about 90% larger than Latvia's, at $93.40B versus $48.62B.
Per person, Latvia is the wealthier of the two: $26,312 against $10,279 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Belarus | Latvia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $93.40B | $48.62B | 2025 | $75.96B / $43.52B |
| GDP per capita | $10,279 | Higher: $26,312 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.3% | Higher: 2.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 6.6% | Lower: 3.7% | 2025 | 5.8% / 1.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.4% | 6.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 30 | 57 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $2,624 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $193 | Higher: $836 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 9.09 million | 1.85 million | 2025 | 9.46 million / 1.89 million |
| Population growth | -0.5% | -1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 41.3 yrs | 43.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.22 | 1.35 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.4 yrs | Higher: 76.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 69% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 94% | 93% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 207,600 km² | 64,559 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 43.8/km² | 28.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 56 Mt | Lower: 6.46 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.2 t | Lower: 3.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $1.49B | $1.43B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.1% | 3.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 158,000 | 9,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Latvia is growing faster: 2.1% annual GDP growth versus 1.3%.
Belarus runs the hotter price environment: 6.6% inflation versus 3.7%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Belarus: a price level of 30 versus 57 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Belarus is the younger society: median age 41.3 versus 43.6 years.
Life expectancy is 2.1 years longer in Latvia (76.4 vs 74.4).
Belarus is considerably more urbanized: 79% of people live in cities, against 69%.
Geography
By land area, Belarus is 3.2 times the size of Latvia: 207,600 km² versus 64,559 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $1.49B (Belarus) and $1.43B (Latvia).
Relative to its economy, Latvia carries the heavier military burden: 3.3% of GDP versus 2.1%.
Belarus fields the larger armed forces: 158,000 personnel against 9,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Belarus bigger than Latvia?
- Belarus is larger by land area. Belarus covers 207,600 km² while Latvia covers 64,559 km², so Belarus is 3.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Belarus or Latvia?
- Belarus has the larger population: 9.09 million versus 1.85 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Belarus richer than Latvia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Latvia is richer: $26,312 against $10,279. Total GDP tells a different story: $93.40B for Belarus versus $48.62B for Latvia.
- Who spends more on their military, Belarus or Latvia?
- Belarus spends more: $1.49B versus $1.43B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).