Data compiled by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that in 2017, as compared to 2016, the economic growth continued and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 4.5 %. In 2017, GDP at current prices amounted to EUR 26.9 billion.

In the 4th quarter of 2017, as compared to the 3rd quarter, GDP at constant prices grew by 0.3 % (according to seasonally adjusted data).

	Mill. euros, seasonally non-adjusted		Changes as %, at constant prices
Period	at current prices	at constant prices of 2010	compared to the previous period, seasonally and calendar adjusted	compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, seasonally and calendar non-adjusted
2017^*	26 851.1	22 792.0	x	4.5
1^st quarter	5 878.7	5 014.9	1.7	4.1
2^nd quarter	6 664.5	5 694.1	1.3	4.0
3^rd quarter	7 109.4	5 964.8	1.5	5.8
4^th quarter	7 198.6	6 118.2	0.3	4.2

*Data on 1^st-3^rd quarter of 2017 have been revised

GDP at current prices in 2017 comprised EUR 26 851.1 mill.

Production approach

(2017 compared to 2016, at constant prices)

In 2017 compared to 2016, significant increase in manufacturing amount was in mining and quarrying – by 18 %, of which in peat extraction – by 13 % and in quarrying – by 33 %.

The manufacturing sector grew by 8 %. Manufacture of food products rose by 4 %, but manufacture of wood and of products of wood grew by 2 % and manufacture of fabricated metal products – by 14 %. Increase was also observed in other sectors: manufacture of chemicals and chemical products and manufacture of electrical machinery – by 21 %, manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products – by 14 % and manufacture of non-metallic mineral products – by 11 %.

In electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply manufacturing volume increased by 7 %, of which in production and distribution of electricity – by 12 % and in steam and air conditioning supply – by 1 %.

Construction production volume rose by 19 %. An increase of 20 % could be observed in the construction of non-residential buildings, and a rise of 30 % was recorded in the construction of civil engineering structures. Construction of residential buildings reduced by 10 %.

Retail trade increased by 4 %, of which trade in food and non-food products – by 4 %, but wholesale trade, retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles rose by 16 %.

In transport and storage sector growth of 7 % was promoted by increase in passenger traffic by 8 %, increase in warehousing and support activities for transportation by 10 %, rise in postal and courier activities by 14 %, growth of freight transport by 2 %.

Services of information and communication services grew by 6 %, including growth of 10 % in computer programming and consulting, information services – of 11 %, but telecommunication services remained at the level of the previous year.

Financial and insurance activities indicated a drop of 17 %, which was because of the decline in commissions from monetary financial institutions, in profits, investment and interest rates of financial instruments trading, while the total expenses of the sector and prices for the services provided increased.

Real estate activities remained at the level of the previous year.

Professional, scientific and technical activities rose by 8 %, of which legal and accounting activities by 13 %, architectural, engineering, technical testing and analysis services – by 15 %, whereas other professional, scientific and technical activities dropped by 7 %.

Significant increase was observed in arts, entertainment and recreation – of 8 %, which was affected by 11 % rise in gambling and betting activities, by 10 % in sports activities and amusement and recreation activities, as well as by 7 % in creative, arts and entertainment activities.

In 2017 the volume of taxes on products (value added tax, excise and customs taxes) increased by 3 %.

Expenditure approach

(2017 compared to 2016, at constant prices)

Compared to the previous year, in 2017 total household expenditure rose by 5 %. Expenditure on transport (public transport, purchase and exploitation of transport vehicles) rose by 7 %, and expenditure on recreation and culture went up by 13 %. Household expenditure on food and housing, which comprise 38 % of total household expenditure as two largest expenditure groups, remained at the level of the previous year.

GDP changes in Q4 2017 and in 2017 by kind of expenditure

Income approach

Compared to 2016, in 2017 compensation of employees at current prices grew by 8 %. Gross operating surplus and mixed income increased by 8 %, whereas the balance of taxes on production and imports and subsidies went up by 7 %.

Components of the income approach
(as per cent of the total GDP)

Total wages and salaries and changes in 2017

GDP changes in the Baltic countries
(at constant prices, seasonally and calendar non-adjusted, as per cent of the corresponding period of the previous year)

*Data on Lithuania for 2017 and 4th quarter of 2017 are based on the flash estimate.

Some changes may be made to the government sector estimates, balance of payments and financial services sector, moreover indices of business services will be taken into account in the GDP calculations and balancing of the quarterly national accounts on the 85th day after the reference quarter. The updated information will be available in the CSB databases on 26 March.

Media requests:
Communication Section
E-mail: media@csb.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67366621, +371 27880666

More information on quarterly data:
Elita Kalniņa
Quarterly National Accounts Section
E-mail: Elita.Kalnina@csb.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67366961

Gross domestic product — quarterly data

Press releases

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