Country Comments

Latvia is currently sustainable and its population has decreased 30% from a high of almost 2.7 million citizens in 1990. Latvia has abundant water and forests that make up half its territory. With a history of heavy manufacturing from Soviet times without much environmental protection, Latvia suffered much pollution in its air, across the land and throughout its waterways. A combination of both declining population and a shift toward a more service based economy since independence, and an emphasis on the environment all have led to improvements in water and air quality and overall health of the people and their country.

In general human rights and civil liberties are protected, although improvements in the law to protect gender rights and equality are recommended by Amnesty International.