Latvia - Population

The population of Latvia in 2003 was estimated by the United Nations at 2,307,000, which placed it as number 138 in population among the 193 nations of the world. In that year approximately 15% of the population was over 65 years of age, with another 17% of the population under 15 years of age. There were 85 males for every 100 females in the country in 2003. According to the UN, the annual population growth rate for 2000–2005 is -0.93%, with the projected population for the year 2015 at 2,064,000. The population density in 2002 was 36 per sq km (94 per sq mi).

It was estimated by the Population Reference Bureau that 69% of the population lived in urban areas in 2001. The capital city, Riga, had a population of 783,000 in that year. Daugavpils had an estimated 124,887 people and Liepaja, 108,256. There were 75 urban localities, many located on rivers or coastal areas. According to the United Nations, the urban population growth rate for 2000–2005 was -1.0%.