Updated
Overview
Lithuania has about 55% more people than Latvia: 2.89 million against 1.85 million (2025).
Lithuania's economy is 2.0 times the size of Latvia's, at $95.21B versus $48.62B.
Per person, Lithuania is the wealthier of the two: $32,959 against $26,312 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Lithuania | Latvia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $95.21B | $48.62B | 2025 | $84.87B / $43.52B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $32,959 | $26,312 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.9% | 2.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.8% | Lower: 3.7% | 2025 | 0.7% / 1.3% |
| Unemployment | 6.7% | Lower: 6.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 58 | 57 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $2,634 | $2,624 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,173 | $836 | 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 2.89 million | 1.85 million | 2025 | 2.82 million / 1.89 million |
| Population growth | 0.0% | -1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 42.3 yrs | 43.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.22 | 1.35 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 77.2 yrs | 76.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 69% | 69% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 93% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 65,300 km² | 64,559 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 44.2/km² | 28.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 13 Mt | Lower: 6.46 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 4.4 t | Lower: 3.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.63B | $1.43B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.1% | 3.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 37,000 | 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
Lithuania is growing faster: 2.9% annual GDP growth versus 2.1%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.8% in Lithuania and 3.7% in Latvia.
Average monthly earnings favour Lithuania: $2,634 against $2,624 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 42.3 (Lithuania) and 43.6 (Latvia).
Geography
By land area, Lithuania is almost exactly the same size as Latvia: 65,300 km² versus 64,559 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Lithuania spends about 85% more on defence than Latvia: $2.63B versus $1.43B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Lithuania fields the larger armed forces: 37,000 personnel against 9,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Lithuania bigger than Latvia?
- The two are almost exactly the same size. Lithuania covers 65,300 km² while Latvia covers 64,559 km², a difference of under 1%.
- Which has more people, Lithuania or Latvia?
- Lithuania has the larger population: 2.89 million versus 1.85 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Lithuania richer than Latvia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Lithuania is richer: $32,959 against $26,312. Total GDP tells the same story: $95.21B for Lithuania versus $48.62B for Latvia.
- Who spends more on their military, Lithuania or Latvia?
- Lithuania spends more: $2.63B versus $1.43B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).