Updated
Overview
Latvia has about 35% more people than Estonia: 1.85 million against 1.37 million (2025).
Their economies are close in size: $48.62B for Latvia and $47.03B for Estonia.
Per person, Estonia is the wealthier of the two: $34,418 against $26,312 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Latvia | Estonia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $48.62B | $47.03B | 2025 | $43.52B / $42.77B |
| GDP per capita | $26,312 | Higher: $34,418 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.1% | 0.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.7% | 4.8% | 2025 | 1.3% / 3.5% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 6.6% | 8.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 57 | 66 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $2,624 | Higher: $3,218 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $836 | Higher: $1,001 | 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.85 million | 1.37 million | 2025 | 1.89 million / 1.34 million |
| Population growth | -1.0% | -0.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 43.6 yrs | 42.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.35 | 1.37 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.4 yrs | Higher: 79.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 69% | 71% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 93% | 92% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 64,559 km² | 45,227 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 28.6/km² | 30.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 6.46 Mt | 8.31 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.5 t | 6.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $1.43B | $1.44B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.3% | 3.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 9,000 | 7,000 | 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 0.6%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.7% in Latvia and 4.8% in Estonia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Latvia: a price level of 57 versus 66 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Estonia: $3,218 against $2,624 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 43.6 (Latvia) and 42.8 (Estonia).
Life expectancy is 2.9 years longer in Estonia (79.3 vs 76.4).
Geography
By land area, Latvia is 43% larger than Estonia: 64,559 km² versus 45,227 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $1.43B (Latvia) and $1.44B (Estonia).
Latvia fields the larger armed forces: 9,000 personnel against 7,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Latvia bigger than Estonia?
- Latvia is larger by land area. Latvia covers 64,559 km² while Estonia covers 45,227 km², so Latvia is 43% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Latvia or Estonia?
- Latvia has the larger population: 1.85 million versus 1.37 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Latvia richer than Estonia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Estonia is richer: $34,418 against $26,312. Total GDP tells a different story: $48.62B for Latvia versus $47.03B for Estonia.
- Who spends more on their military, Latvia or Estonia?
- Estonia spends more: $1.44B versus $1.43B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).