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Economy of Latvia vs New Zealand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Latvia has a GDP of $43.7B compared to $260B for New Zealand, ranking 99/197 and 52/197 by economy size, respectively.

Latvia has $20.4B in government debt (46.8% of GDP), compared to $131B (50.2% of GDP) in New Zealand.

Latvia vs New Zealand GDP by year

Latvia
New Zealand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Latvia New Zealand
2024 $43,684,254,432 $260,172,385,098
2023 $42,779,550,937 $255,194,972,673
2022 $38,003,198,509 $249,509,991,440
2021 $38,183,326,785 $253,977,931,815
2020 $33,379,927,435 $213,029,554,654
2019 $33,099,503,951 $213,006,341,102
2018 $33,247,935,477 $211,985,631,173
2017 $29,391,059,767 $206,745,969,246
2016 $27,117,105,060 $189,100,085,275
2015 $26,344,565,877 $178,224,167,088
2014 $30,277,203,767 $201,518,402,787
2013 $29,152,128,168 $191,012,364,177
2012 $27,116,149,949 $176,560,711,239
2011 $26,575,547,901 $168,484,908,960
2010 $23,468,324,572 $146,887,902,524
2009 $25,691,530,442 $121,663,439,315
2008 $34,135,200,994 $133,437,126,590
2007 $29,420,499,248 $137,188,946,866
2006 $20,434,922,247 $111,538,810,713
2005 $16,306,935,905 $114,720,129,550
2004 $13,827,070,379 $103,905,210,084
2003 $11,244,337,720 $88,250,885,550
2002 $9,249,030,241 $66,627,729,311
2001 $8,190,888,740 $53,872,425,917
2000 $7,761,252,607 $52,623,281,957
1999 $7,324,192,890 $58,762,260,626
1998 $6,974,112,951 $56,227,169,851
1997 $6,349,481,007 $66,075,143,415
1996 $5,799,465,288 $70,140,835,299
1995 $5,608,208,785 $63,918,703,507
1994 - $55,314,732,279
1993 - $46,775,620,817
1992 - $41,649,829,860
1991 - $42,745,329,732
1990 - $45,495,129,385
1989 - $43,920,222,525
1988 - $45,176,811,594
1987 - $40,376,354,070
1986 - $30,604,668,357
1985 - $24,679,795,396
1984 - $21,665,975,319
1983 - $24,309,279,706
1982 - $24,164,603,059
1981 - $24,417,617,184
1980 - $23,244,547,385
1979 - $20,731,243,113
1978 - $18,530,518,395
1977 - $15,446,825,318
1976 - $13,604,832,424
1975 - $12,861,983,284
1974 - $13,940,981,798
1973 - $12,802,281,898
1972 - $9,567,331,065
1971 - $7,911,136,757
1970 - $6,495,605,331
1969 - $5,814,357,709
1968 - $5,228,045,415
1967 - $6,016,017,227
1966 - $5,917,437,693
1965 - $5,706,251,400
1964 - $7,340,766,415
1963 - $6,699,741,645
1962 - $6,133,158,532
1961 - $5,721,994,864
1960 - $5,536,098,360

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/latvia/new-zealand | CC BY

GDP per capita in Latvia vs New Zealand by year

Latvia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
New Zealand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Latvia New Zealand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $23,409 $43,394 $49,205 $55,551
2023 $22,710 $42,576 $49,076 $54,697
2022 $20,221 $40,559 $49,100 $54,034
2021 $20,262 $36,912 $49,950 $48,249
2020 $17,564 $32,741 $41,998 $45,513
2019 $17,295 $32,199 $42,856 $45,278
2018 $17,252 $29,818 $43,257 $42,527
2017 $15,132 $25,764 $42,950 $42,244
2016 $13,839 $24,063 $40,114 $39,989
2015 $13,322 $22,544 $38,665 $37,513
2014 $15,186 $21,554 $44,618 $37,331
2013 $14,484 $20,474 $43,000 $36,263
2012 $13,329 $19,417 $40,054 $33,055
2011 $12,903 $17,680 $38,432 $32,739
2010 $11,188 $16,373 $33,762 $31,305
2009 $11,996 $15,545 $28,277 $30,746
2008 $15,678 $17,443 $31,325 $29,896
2007 $13,371 $16,246 $32,480 $29,331
2006 $9,212 $14,180 $26,655 $27,732
2005 $7,284 $12,826 $27,751 $25,677
2004 $6,110 $11,319 $25,420 $25,124
2003 $4,915 $10,193 $21,914 $23,996
2002 $4,004 $9,569 $16,874 $23,306
2001 $3,505 $8,808 $13,883 $22,511
2000 $3,278 $7,849 $13,641 $21,500
1999 $3,064 $7,256 $15,322 $20,579
1998 $2,894 $6,922 $14,738 $19,323
1997 $2,610 $6,366 $17,474 $19,100
1996 $2,360 $5,688 $18,794 $18,392
1995 $2,257 $5,391 $17,400 $17,864
1994 - $5,012 $15,280 $17,108
1993 - $4,722 $13,094 $15,900
1992 - $4,760 $11,793 $14,877
1991 - $6,762 $12,230 $14,501
1990 - $7,448 $13,663 $14,812
1989 - - $13,312 -
1988 - - $13,759 -
1987 - - $12,331 -
1986 - - $9,428 -
1985 - - $7,601 -
1984 - - $6,714 -
1983 - - $7,598 -
1982 - - $7,656 -
1981 - - $7,814 -
1980 - - $7,467 -
1979 - - $6,668 -
1978 - - $5,937 -
1977 - - $4,951 -
1976 - - $4,374 -
1975 - - $4,172 -
1974 - - $4,611 -
1973 - - $4,323 -
1972 - - $3,295 -
1971 - - $2,773 -
1970 - - $2,311 -
1969 - - $2,097 -
1968 - - $1,902 -
1967 - - $2,208 -
1966 - - $2,211 -
1965 - - $2,171 -
1964 - - $2,839 -
1963 - - $2,646 -
1962 - - $2,471 -
1961 - - $2,365 -
1960 - - $2,334 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/latvia/new-zealand | CC BY

Latvia's GDP per capita is $23,409, ranking 54/197, compared to $49,205 in New Zealand, ranking 26/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Latvia ranks 53rd at $43,394, while New Zealand ranks 38th at $55,551.

Economic indicators

Latvia New Zealand
Gross domestic product
$43.7B
2024
$260B
2024
GDP rank
99/197
2024
52/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.05%
2023-2024
1.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$23,409
2024
$49,205
2024
GDP per capita rank
54/197
2024
26/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$43,394
2024
$55,551
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
53/197
2024
38/197
2024
Government debt
$20.4B
2024
$131B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.8%
2024
50.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$10,945
2024
$24,722
2024
Government debt per person rank
53/185
2024
28/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$17,033
2026
$37,758
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$92.9B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2025
Income share by richest 10%
26.2%
2023
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2023
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
44.5%
2024
41.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.27%
2023-2024
2.92%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.88%
2024
4.76%
2024
Population
1829763
5374272

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Latvia
Spending

Debt
New Zealand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Latvia New Zealand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 44.5% 46.8% 41.9% 50.2%
2023 43.1% 44.6% 41.2% 46.9%
2022 43.5% 44.4% 41.8% 46.9%
2021 44.6% 45.9% 41.9% 47.5%
2020 42.6% 44% 42% 43.2%
2019 39% 37.9% 38.8% 31.8%
2018 39.4% 38.3% 36.1% 28.1%
2017 37.8% 40.3% 35.6% 31.1%
2016 37.4% 41.7% 36.4% 33.3%
2015 38.7% 38.3% 37.2% 34.2%
2014 39.2% 43.1% 37.7% 34.2%
2013 38.7% 41.8% 38.6% 34.5%
2012 38.6% 44.4% 39.7% 35.7%
2011 41.2% 46.8% 42.4% 34.7%
2010 43.6% 48.2% 42.9% 29.6%
2009 43.6% 37.6% 40.3% 24.3%
2008 38.2% 19.3% 38.5% 19%
2007 34.8% 9% 37.1% 16.3%
2006 35.5% 10.7% 37.9% 18.4%
2005 35.8% 12.5% 37.1% 20.8%
2004 34.8% 15.3% 36.2% 22.5%
2003 34.4% 15.4% 36.7% 24.7%
2002 35.4% 15.4% 36.8% 26.4%
2001 35% 17.8% 37.2% 28.2%
2000 37% 15.1% 38.3% 30%
1999 40.4% 14.8% 39.3% 32%
1998 38.1% 9.81% 40.1% 34.5%
1997 - - 39.3% 34.6%
1996 - - 39.9% 37.3%
1995 - - 41.6% 43.5%
1994 - - 42.8% 48.9%
1993 - - 46.8% 54.6%
1992 - - 52.5% 58.7%
1991 - - 53% 58%
1990 - - 49.6% 55.5%
1989 - - 47.8% 54.9%
1988 - - 46.1% 54.7%
1987 - - 46.1% 62.9%
1986 - - 46.9% 68.5%
1985 - - 46.2% 64.1%
1984 - - 40.7% 62.8%
1983 - - 41.4% 59.6%
1982 - - 39.9% 51.5%
1981 - - 39.1% 50.5%
1980 - - 38% 52.2%
1979 - - 38.4% 52%
1978 - - 36.6% 50%
1977 - - 30% 44.6%
1976 - - 31.6% 47.6%
1975 - - 30.1% 41.4%
1974 - - 27.3% 39.6%
1973 - - 27.1% 44%
1972 - - 26.4% 46%
1971 - - 26.8% 71.3%
1970 - - 24.8% 76.5%
1969 - - 25.9% 85.8%
1968 - - 26.2% 86.5%
1967 - - 26% 59.7%
1966 - - 25% 58.2%
1965 - - 24.9% 59.6%
1964 - - 19.4% 61.8%
1963 - - 19.4% 64.5%
1962 - - 21.6% 65%
1961 - - 21.1% 64.6%
1960 - - 25.3% 68.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/latvia/new-zealand | CC BY

In 2024, Latvia's government spending was $19.4B, accounting for 44.5% of its GDP, while New Zealand spent $109B, or 41.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 46.8% in Latvia and 50.2% in New Zealand, ranking 116/185 and 107/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Latvia

New Zealand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Latvia New Zealand
2024 -1.82% -3.61%
2023 -3.38% -3.54%
2022 -3.94% -4.16%
2021 -5.71% -3.5%
2020 -3.85% -4.35%
2019 -0.39% -2.5%
2018 -0.77% 1.27%
2017 -0.85% 1.36%
2016 -0.41% 0.98%
2015 -1.57% 0.36%
2014 -1.74% -0.34%
2013 -0.58% -1.29%
2012 0.18% -2.19%
2011 -3.38% -4.96%
2010 -6.56% -5.51%
2009 -7.14% -1.81%
2008 -3.29% 1.47%
2007 0.63% 3.6%
2006 -0.48% 4.62%
2005 -1.06% 5.13%
2004 -1.04% 4.49%
2003 -1.67% 3.68%
2002 -2.59% 2.55%
2001 -2.03% 1.29%
2000 -2.57% 0.17%
1999 -3.54% -1.11%
1998 -0.66% -0.48%
1997 - 1.23%
1996 - 2.58%
1995 - 3.7%
1994 - 1.99%
1993 - -1.53%
1992 - -6.27%
1991 - -6.14%
1990 - -2.74%
1989 - -2.16%
1988 - -1.88%
1987 - -3.43%
1986 - -5.33%
1985 - -6.97%
1984 - -8.68%
1983 - -6.64%
1982 - -6.26%
1981 - -6.02%
1980 - -4.9%
1979 - -6.55%
1978 - -3.41%
1977 - -1.09%
1976 - -2.07%
1975 - 0.11%
1974 - 0.03%
1973 - -0.07%
1972 - 0.12%
1971 - 0.09%
1970 - -0.05%
1969 - 0.17%
1968 - 0.03%
1967 - 0.02%
1966 - 0.09%
1965 - 0.26%
1964 - -0.08%
1963 - -0.26%
1962 - 0.02%
1961 - 0.03%
1960 - 0.05%
1959 - 0.03%
1958 - -0.02%
1957 - 0.32%
1956 - 1.33%
1955 - 0.73%
1954 - 0.22%
1953 - 0.43%
1952 - 1.73%
1951 - 1.17%
1950 - 0.78%
1949 - 0.53%
1948 - 0.36%
1947 - 1.07%
1946 - 0.31%
1945 - 0.32%
1944 - 0.59%
1943 - 1.24%
1942 - 0.56%
1941 - 0.64%
1940 - 0.13%
1939 - 0.34%
1938 - 0.38%
1937 - 0.23%
1936 - 0.17%
1935 - 1.19%
1934 - -0.55%
1933 - 0.02%
1932 - -1.77%
1931 - -1.12%
1930 - 0.09%
1929 - -0.37%
1928 - 0.12%
1927 - 0.4%
1926 - 0.72%
1925 - 0.78%
1924 - 1.2%
1923 - 0.95%
1922 - -0.2%
1921 - 3.55%
1920 - 1.51%
1919 - 2.9%
1918 - 4.35%
1917 - 3.89%
1916 - 1.46%
1915 - 0.06%
1914 - 0.45%
1913 - 0.79%
1912 - 0.89%
1911 - 1.24%
1910 - 0.36%
1909 - 0.31%
1908 - 1.26%
1907 - 1.13%
1906 - 0.97%
1905 - 1.41%
1904 - 1.42%
1903 - 0.55%
1902 - 0.63%
1901 - 1.11%
1900 - 1.59%
1899 - 1.15%
1898 - 1.38%
1897 - 0.86%
1896 - 0.65%
1895 - 0.32%
1894 - 0.76%
1893 - 1.14%
1892 - 0.09%
1891 - 0.46%
1890 - 0.05%
1889 - 0.59%
1888 - -1.64%
1887 - -1.63%
1886 - -0.53%
1885 - -0.47%
1884 - -0.1%
1883 - 0.38%
1882 - 0.18%
1881 - -2.33%
1880 - -2.39%
1879 - -0.55%
1878 - -0.85%
1877 - -2.53%
1876 - -5.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/latvia/new-zealand | CC BY

In 2024, Latvia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $797M, equivalent to 1.82% of GDP. This compares to New Zealand's deficit of $9.38B, or 3.61% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Latvia recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while New Zealand ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, Latvia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.31% of GDP for New Zealand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Latvia

New Zealand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Latvia New Zealand
2024 1.27% 2.92%
2023 8.94% 5.73%
2022 17.3% 7.17%
2021 3.28% 3.94%
2020 0.22% 1.71%
2019 2.81% 1.62%
2018 2.53% 1.6%
2017 2.93% 1.85%
2016 0.14% 0.65%
2015 0.17% 0.29%
2014 0.62% 1.23%
2013 -0.03% 1.13%
2012 2.26% 1.06%
2011 4.37% 4.03%
2010 -1.08% 2.3%
2009 3.53% 2.12%
2008 15.4% 3.96%
2007 10.1% 2.38%
2006 6.54% 3.37%
2005 6.75% 3.04%
2004 6.19% 2.29%
2003 2.94% 1.75%
2002 1.94% 2.68%
2001 2.49% 2.63%
2000 2.65% 2.62%
1999 2.36% -0.11%
1998 4.64% 1.27%
1997 8.45% 1.19%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/latvia/new-zealand | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Latvia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.28%, compared with 2.37% in New Zealand. In 2024, inflation was 1.27% in Latvia and 2.92% in New Zealand.

Top exports between countries

Latvia
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $18.3M
Business & finance services $8.07M
Wood & paper products $3.68M
Machinery & equipment $2.94M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.59M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.55M
Chemicals & pharma $709K
Raw materials & minerals $390K
Metals $251K
Animal & marine products $54K
New Zealand
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.76M
Transport & tourism services $1.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.36M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.21M
Animal & marine products $486K
Wood & paper products $49K
Precious metals & jewellery $21K
Metals $5K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Raw materials & minerals $1K

Balance of trade

Latvia New Zealand
Current account balance
-$688M
2024
-$12.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
115/190
2024
178/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.57%
2024
-4.65%
2024
Goods imports
$23.4B
2024
$47.3B
2024
Goods exports
$20.1B
2024
$43.3B
2024
Service imports
$5.86B
2024
$19.5B
2024
Service exports
$8.42B
2024
$18.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66.9%
2024
26.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
65.3%
2024
24.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Latvia New Zealand
Economic freedom 71.6 77.8
Economic freedom ranking 31/197 13/197
Property rights 88.8 85.4
Government integrity 67.7 90
Judicial effectiveness 70.9 95.9
Tax burden 70.9 66.1
Government spending 42.7 48
Fiscal health 80.8 72.2
Business freedom 80.7 89.1
Labor freedom 60.5 68.6
Monetary freedom 76.3 77.4
Trade freedom 79.4 90.6
Investment freedom 80 70
Financial freedom 60 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Latvia
New Zealand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Latvia New Zealand
2026 71.6 77.8
2025 71.4 78.1
2024 71.5 77.8
2023 72.8 78.9
2022 74.8 80.6
2021 72.3 83.9
2020 71.9 84.1
2019 70.4 84.4
2018 73.6 84.2
2017 74.8 83.7
2016 70.4 81.6
2015 69.7 82.1
2014 68.7 81.2
2013 66.5 81.4
2012 65.2 82.1
2011 65.8 82.3
2010 66.2 82.1
2009 66.6 82
2008 68.3 80.7
2007 67.9 81.4
2006 66.9 82
2005 66.3 82.3
2004 67.4 81.5
2003 66 81.1
2002 65 80.7
2001 66.4 81.1
2000 63.4 80.9
1999 64.2 81.7
1998 63.4 79.2
1997 62.4 79
1996 55 78.1

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/latvia/new-zealand | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Latvia is 71.6, ranking 31/197, compared to 77.8 for New Zealand, ranking 13/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Latvia New Zealand
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2024
67.4%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
19.6%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.04%
2024
4.57%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$40.4B
2024
$252B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$42,660
2024
$53,600
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.14B
2024
$22.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
98/177
2024
59/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.26B
2024
-$878M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.51B
2024
$1.76B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$257M
2024
$882M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
22.5%
2022
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
22.5%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/latvia/new-zealand | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2016–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.