52.8 % of GDP of Latvia in 2020 is attributable to Riga

In 2020 GDP of Latvia at current prices was EUR 30.3 billion. 52.8 % (EUR 16.0 billion) of GDP of Latvia is attributable to the capital Riga, which was followed by Pierīga with 16.1 % (EUR 4.9 billion), covering two thirds (68.9 %) of the GDP of Latvia. According to the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) data on the GDP by regions, the share was followed by Kurzeme with 9.2 % (EUR 2.8 billion), Zemgale with 8.3 % (EUR 2.5 billion), Latgale with 6.9 % (EUR 2.1 billion) and Vidzeme with 6.6 % (EUR 2 billion).

Given that regions differ in size and population, it is useful to compare statistical regions in terms of their productivity or GDP per capita. The highest GDP per capita is in Riga (EUR 25.9 thousand), but the lowest – in Latgale region (EUR 8.1 thousand). Thus productivity in Riga is 3.2 times larger than in Latgale. In turn, GDP per capita in Pierīga is EUR 13 thousand, in Kurzeme – EUR 11.6 thousand, in Vidzeme – EUR 11.1 thousand, in Zemgale – EUR 10.8 thousand.

GDP by statistical regions in 2020 and 2019

(at current prices)

Compared to 2019, in 2020 the GDP grew the fastest in Zemgale region – by 3.7 % (EUR 88.4 million), but reduced the fastest in Pierīga – by 4.6 % (EUR 233.5 million).

In 2020, among the large cities, the largest GDP per capita – EUR 25.9 thousand – was in the capital. In the second place there was Valmiera with EUR 19.0 thousand, in the third place – Liepāja with EUR 14.3 thousand. It was followed by Rēzekne with EUR 12.6 thousand, Jelgava with EUR 12.3 thousand, Jēkabpils with EUR 11.7 thousand, Ventspils with EUR 10.6 thousand, Daugavpils with EUR 9.5 thousand and Jūrmala with EUR 9.3 thousand per capita.

The CSB has calculated regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for 2020, as well as revised data for the period 2000-2019, taking into account the national GDP and value added revision published on 30 September this year.

For the first time this year, the CSB also publishes GDP and value added for 2019 and 2020 in breakdown by administrative territories after the regional reform in 2021: 5 planning regions, 10 cities under state jurisdiction and 36 counties.

*According to the methodology of the European System of National and Regional Accounts (ESA 2010), the Extra-regio consists of parts economic territory of a country that cannot be added to a single region (ESA 2010, paragraph 13.11). The Extra-regio territory of Latvia is small and belongs to the general government sector. The Extra-regio of Latvia consists of military and defence representatives and diplomatic missions abroad. Data from the Extra-regio are obtained from the Treasury report. Taking into account that the Extra-regio does not cover residents, according to ESA 2010 paragraph 13.44 data on the GDP per capita and the respective indices are not shown.

Methodological information

The published data are adjusted in line with the Guidelines for CSB Revision Policy. The adjustments are made due to receipt of specified information as well as the latest administrative data, inclusion of new economically active enterprises and institutions in surveys, specification of economic activity of sector of enterprises.

For the calculations of GDP by regions GDP of Latvia from the aspect of production at current prices by kind of activity according to indicators received from economically active units in the region were taken as a basis. GDP of the region is calculated as the sum of value added and product taxes of the institutional units of the kind of economic activity in the region less subsidies. The value added (and GDP, respectively) of each institutional unit is reallocated according to the information available to the CSB on the geographical location of the local kind-of-activity unit in proportion to the number of employees. If local kind-of-activity units are not specified, the value added of the institutional unit is added to the relevant territory according to the legal address.

Media requests:
Communication Section
E-mail: media@csp.gov.lv
Tel: +371 27880666

More information on the data:
Elīna Štāla
Annual National Accounts Section
E-mail: Elina.Stala@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67366828