Updated
Overview
Russia has 78 times the population of Latvia: 143.51 million people against 1.85 million (2025).
Russia's economy is 53 times the size of Latvia's, at $2.56T versus $48.62B.
Per person, Latvia is the wealthier of the two: $26,312 against $17,547 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Russia | Latvia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.56T | $48.62B | 2025 | $2.17T / $43.52B |
| GDP per capita | $17,547 | Higher: $26,312 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 2.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.7% | Lower: 3.7% | 2025 | 6.7% / 1.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.1% | 6.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 57 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $777 | Higher: $2,624 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $208 | Higher: $836 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $1.74 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 143.51 million | 1.85 million | 2025 | 140.13 million / 1.89 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | -1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 43.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.35 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 yrs | Higher: 76.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 75% | 69% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 94% | 93% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 17,098,242 km² | 64,559 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8.4/km² | 28.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1,781 Mt | Lower: 6.46 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 12.3 t | Lower: 3.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $148.97B | $1.43B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.1% | 3.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.5 million | 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 1.0%.
Russia runs the hotter price environment: 8.7% inflation versus 3.7%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Russia: a price level of 32 versus 57 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Latvia: $2,624 against $777 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Russia is the younger society: median age 40.3 versus 43.6 years.
Life expectancy is 3.0 years longer in Latvia (76.4 vs 73.4).
Geography
By land area, Russia is 265 times the size of Latvia: 17,098,242 km² versus 64,559 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Latvia is far more densely settled: 29 people per km² against 8.
Military
Russia spends 104 times as much on defence as Latvia: $148.97B versus $1.43B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Russia carries the heavier military burden: 7.1% of GDP versus 3.3%.
Russia fields the larger armed forces: 1.5 million personnel against 9,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Russia bigger than Latvia?
- Russia is larger by land area. Russia covers 17,098,242 km² while Latvia covers 64,559 km², so Russia is 265 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Russia or Latvia?
- Russia has the larger population: 143.51 million versus 1.85 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Russia richer than Latvia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Latvia is richer: $26,312 against $17,547. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.56T for Russia versus $48.62B for Latvia.
- Who spends more on their military, Russia or Latvia?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $1.43B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).