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Economy of Latvia vs Spain compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Latvia has a GDP of $43.7B compared to $1.73T for Spain, ranking 99/197 and 15/197 by economy size, respectively.

Latvia has $20.4B in government debt (46.8% of GDP), compared to $1.75T (101.6% of GDP) in Spain.

Latvia vs Spain GDP by year

Latvia
Spain
1x
Year GDP, current $
Latvia Spain
2024 $43,684,254,432 $1,725,671,652,742
2023 $42,779,550,937 $1,619,481,980,720
2022 $38,003,198,509 $1,448,850,658,407
2021 $38,183,326,785 $1,461,244,901,853
2020 $33,379,927,435 $1,289,783,836,971
2019 $33,099,503,951 $1,403,496,387,686
2018 $33,247,935,477 $1,431,642,809,327
2017 $29,391,059,767 $1,321,754,088,819
2016 $27,117,105,060 $1,243,015,667,917
2015 $26,344,565,877 $1,206,164,777,553
2014 $30,277,203,767 $1,380,244,561,362
2013 $29,152,128,168 $1,362,186,923,158
2012 $27,116,149,949 $1,330,994,811,670
2011 $26,575,547,901 $1,487,568,659,241
2010 $23,468,324,572 $1,427,989,078,917
2009 $25,691,530,442 $1,496,587,590,848
2008 $34,135,200,994 $1,636,115,447,613
2007 $29,420,499,248 $1,476,746,276,855
2006 $20,434,922,247 $1,261,846,683,275
2005 $16,306,935,905 $1,154,667,551,776
2004 $13,827,070,379 $1,069,829,382,515
2003 $11,244,337,720 $907,963,217,058
2002 $9,249,030,241 $708,938,227,244
2001 $8,190,888,740 $627,798,682,379
2000 $7,761,252,607 $598,102,854,756
1999 $7,324,192,890 $634,394,904,387
1998 $6,974,112,951 $618,731,484,575
1997 $6,349,481,007 $589,739,772,727
1996 $5,799,465,288 $642,251,412,058
1995 $5,608,208,785 $614,170,002,669
1994 - $530,183,651,720
1993 - $524,700,572,624
1992 - $630,465,353,486
1991 - $576,753,902,322
1990 - $536,175,326,477
1989 - $414,460,794,097
1988 - $375,891,716,898
1987 - $318,520,253,335
1986 - $251,141,555,186
1985 - $180,664,322,896
1984 - $171,979,977,230
1983 - $170,829,074,246
1982 - $195,856,752,991
1981 - $202,663,023,968
1980 - $232,600,556,974
1979 - $214,448,666,336
1978 - $160,484,969,618
1977 - $132,354,665,936
1976 - $118,422,534,195
1975 - $114,695,060,870
1974 - $97,204,522,642
1973 - $78,583,355,226
1972 - $59,090,176,029
1971 - $46,586,119,760
1970 - $40,963,715,237
1969 - $37,090,689,288
1968 - $32,394,326,464
1967 - $32,570,905,397
1966 - $29,559,436,183
1965 - $25,479,619,607
1964 - $21,966,876,027
1963 - $19,631,714,760
1962 - $16,609,632,791
1961 - $14,238,126,760
1960 - $12,424,514,014

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

GeoRank.org/economy/latvia/spain | CC BY

GDP per capita in Latvia vs Spain by year

Latvia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Spain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Latvia Spain
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $23,409 $43,394 $35,327 $57,965
2023 $22,710 $42,576 $33,493 $55,682
2022 $20,221 $40,559 $30,319 $51,399
2021 $20,262 $36,912 $30,799 $44,252
2020 $17,564 $32,741 $27,234 $39,328
2019 $17,295 $32,199 $29,787 $44,043
2018 $17,252 $29,818 $30,602 $41,015
2017 $15,132 $25,764 $28,381 $39,825
2016 $13,839 $24,063 $26,756 $37,613
2015 $13,322 $22,544 $25,982 $35,229
2014 $15,186 $21,554 $29,708 $33,761
2013 $14,484 $20,474 $29,229 $32,614
2012 $13,329 $19,417 $28,456 $31,870
2011 $12,903 $17,680 $31,825 $32,016
2010 $11,188 $16,373 $30,659 $31,805
2009 $11,996 $15,545 $32,280 $32,218
2008 $15,678 $17,443 $35,603 $33,350
2007 $13,371 $16,246 $32,652 $32,536
2006 $9,212 $14,180 $28,422 $30,749
2005 $7,284 $12,826 $26,451 $27,630
2004 $6,110 $11,319 $24,925 $26,160
2003 $4,915 $10,193 $21,522 $25,057
2002 $4,004 $9,569 $17,111 $24,378
2001 $3,505 $8,808 $15,368 $22,952
2000 $3,278 $7,849 $14,743 $21,582
1999 $3,064 $7,256 $15,708 $19,938
1998 $2,894 $6,922 $15,382 $19,083
1997 $2,610 $6,366 $14,722 $17,903
1996 $2,360 $5,688 $16,101 $16,971
1995 $2,257 $5,391 $15,461 $16,276
1994 - $5,012 $13,406 $15,582
1993 - $4,722 $13,330 $14,973
1992 - $4,760 $16,101 $14,855
1991 - $6,762 $14,801 $14,461
1990 - $7,448 $13,795 $13,676
1989 - - $10,674 -
1988 - - $9,696 -
1987 - - $8,234 -
1986 - - $6,509 -
1985 - - $4,696 -
1984 - - $4,487 -
1983 - - $4,475 -
1982 - - $5,156 -
1981 - - $5,367 -
1980 - - $6,204 -
1979 - - $5,766 -
1978 - - $4,353 -
1977 - - $3,625 -
1976 - - $3,277 -
1975 - - $3,208 -
1974 - - $2,748 -
1973 - - $2,246 -
1972 - - $1,708 -
1971 - - $1,361 -
1970 - - $1,211 -
1969 - - $1,109 -
1968 - - $978 -
1967 - - $997 -
1966 - - $916 -
1965 - - $797 -
1964 - - $695 -
1963 - - $627 -
1962 - - $535 -
1961 - - $463 -
1960 - - $408 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/latvia/spain | CC BY

Latvia's GDP per capita is $23,409, ranking 54/197, compared to $35,327 in Spain, ranking 32/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Latvia ranks 53rd at $43,394, while Spain ranks 34th at $57,965.

Economic indicators

Latvia Spain
Gross domestic product
$43.7B
2024
$1.73T
2024
GDP rank
99/197
2024
15/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.05%
2023-2024
3.46%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$23,409
2024
$35,327
2024
GDP per capita rank
54/197
2024
32/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$43,394
2024
$57,965
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
53/197
2024
34/197
2024
Government debt
$20.4B
2024
$1.75T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.8%
2024
101.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$10,945
2024
$35,909
2024
Government debt per person rank
53/185
2024
20/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$17,033
2026
$25,470
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$754B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,202,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
34
2025
Income share by richest 10%
26.2%
2023
24.5%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2023
2.2%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
44.5%
2024
45.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.27%
2023-2024
2.77%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
6.88%
2024
11.3%
2024
Population
1829763
48806901

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Latvia
Spending

Debt
Spain
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Latvia Spain
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 44.5% 46.8% 45.3% 101.6%
2023 43.1% 44.6% 45.5% 105.1%
2022 43.5% 44.4% 46.4% 109.2%
2021 44.6% 45.9% 49.5% 115.6%
2020 42.6% 44% 51.4% 119.2%
2019 39% 37.9% 42% 97.6%
2018 39.4% 38.3% 41.5% 99.7%
2017 37.8% 40.3% 41% 101.1%
2016 37.4% 41.7% 42.1% 102%
2015 38.7% 38.3% 43.7% 102.4%
2014 39.2% 43.1% 45.1% 104.4%
2013 38.7% 41.8% 46.2% 100%
2012 38.6% 44.4% 49.2% 89.6%
2011 41.2% 46.8% 45.9% 69.5%
2010 43.6% 48.2% 45.8% 60.3%
2009 43.6% 37.6% 46.1% 53.1%
2008 38.2% 19.3% 41.3% 39.6%
2007 34.8% 9% 39.2% 35.7%
2006 35.5% 10.7% 38.4% 39%
2005 35.8% 12.5% 38.4% 42.4%
2004 34.8% 15.3% 38.8% 45.3%
2003 34.4% 15.4% 38.4% 47.7%
2002 35.4% 15.4% 38.6% 51.2%
2001 35% 17.8% 38.4% 54.1%
2000 37% 15.1% 39.1% 57.8%
1999 40.4% 14.8% 40% 60.9%
1998 38.1% 9.81% 41% 62.4%
1997 - - 41.5% 64.3%
1996 - - 42.9% 65.4%
1995 - - 44.1% 61.6%
1994 - - 44.8% 57%
1993 - - 46.3% 54.6%
1992 - - 43.9% 44.1%
1991 - - 42.6% 41.9%
1990 - - 41.1% 41.3%
1989 - - 32.1% 39.2%
1988 - - 28.6% 38.2%
1987 - - 31.1% 42.1%
1986 - - 28.4% 36.5%
1985 - - 27.6% 31.5%
1984 - - 27% 18.3%
1983 - - 26% 13.4%
1982 - - 21.5% 12%
1981 - - 18.1% 10.9%
1980 - - 16.3% 10.2%
1979 - - 14.3% 9.88%
1978 - - 14.3% 9.93%
1977 - - 12.8% 8.75%
1976 - - 11.5% 8.21%
1975 - - 11.4% 11.9%
1974 - - 11.4% 13.6%
1973 - - 9.88% 16.3%
1972 - - 12.5% 17.6%
1971 - - 14% 17.9%
1970 - - 12.3% 19.2%
1969 - - 12.3% 18.8%
1968 - - 12.8% 18.3%
1967 - - 12.5% 17.6%
1966 - - 11.8% 17.7%
1965 - - 14% 18.1%
1964 - - 12.7% 19.5%
1963 - - 12.4% 21%
1962 - - 10.6% 24.4%
1961 - - 9.97% 26.7%
1960 - - 11% 29.4%

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/spain | CC BY

In 2024, Latvia's government spending was $19.4B, accounting for 44.5% of its GDP, while Spain spent $782B, or 45.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 46.8% in Latvia and 101.6% in Spain, ranking 116/185 and 21/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Latvia

Spain
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Latvia Spain
2024 -1.82% -3.15%
2023 -3.38% -3.52%
2022 -3.94% -4.63%
2021 -5.71% -6.66%
2020 -3.85% -10%
2019 -0.39% -3.04%
2018 -0.77% -2.58%
2017 -0.85% -3.1%
2016 -0.41% -4.26%
2015 -1.57% -5.26%
2014 -1.74% -6.07%
2013 -0.58% -7.49%
2012 0.18% -11.5%
2011 -3.38% -9.69%
2010 -6.56% -9.49%
2009 -7.14% -11.2%
2008 -3.29% -4.56%
2007 0.63% 1.88%
2006 -0.48% 2.12%
2005 -1.06% 1.23%
2004 -1.04% -0.1%
2003 -1.67% -0.37%
2002 -2.59% -0.32%
2001 -2.03% -0.45%
2000 -2.57% -1.16%
1999 -3.54% -1.24%
1998 -0.66% -2.63%
1997 - -3.86%
1996 - -5.87%
1995 - -6.79%
1994 - -6.31%
1993 - -6.89%
1992 - -4.26%
1991 - -4.58%
1990 - -3.9%
1989 - -3.24%
1988 - -2.95%
1987 - -3.52%
1986 - -5.18%
1985 - -6.04%
1984 - -5.25%
1983 - -4.77%
1982 - -5.76%
1981 - -2.88%
1980 - -2.55%
1979 - -1.51%
1978 - -1.63%
1977 - -0.24%
1976 - 0.43%
1975 - 0.26%
1974 - 0.11%
1973 - 1.09%
1972 - 0.24%
1971 - -0.96%
1970 - 0.09%
1969 - -0.06%
1968 - -0.55%
1967 - -0.32%
1966 - 0.07%
1965 - -0.04%
1964 - 0.18%
1963 - -0.54%
1962 - 1.27%
1961 - 1.9%
1960 - 0.69%
1959 - 0.54%
1958 - 0.23%
1957 - 1.13%
1956 - -0.05%
1955 - 0.6%
1954 - 0.7%
1953 - 1.02%
1952 - 0.81%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.44%
1949 - -0.35%
1948 - -1.21%
1947 - -1.09%
1946 - -2.24%
1945 - -4.56%
1944 - -5.44%
1943 - -7.73%
1942 - -2.48%
1941 - -4.34%
1940 - -3.54%
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 - -
1936 - -
1935 - -0.49%
1934 - -1.17%
1933 - -0.72%
1932 - -0.3%
1931 - 0.1%
1930 - 0.3%
1929 - -0.07%
1928 - -0.31%
1927 - -0.54%
1926 - -0.65%
1925 - -1.19%
1924 - -1.76%
1923 - -1.89%
1922 - -2.26%
1921 - -3.33%
1920 - -2.4%
1919 - -1.82%
1918 - -1.8%
1917 - -1.49%
1916 - -1.15%
1915 - -2.97%
1914 - -1.04%
1913 - -0.09%
1912 - -0.33%
1911 - 0.19%
1910 - 0.09%
1909 - -0.29%
1908 - 0.59%
1907 - 0.66%
1906 - 0.91%
1905 - 0.71%
1904 - 0.52%
1903 - 0.28%
1902 - 0.74%
1901 - 0.69%
1900 - 1.04%
1899 - 2.75%
1898 - 0.13%
1897 - -0.64%
1896 - 0.46%
1895 - 0.83%
1894 - -0.08%
1893 - 0.87%
1892 - -0.67%
1891 - -0.41%
1890 - -0.4%
1889 - -0.38%
1888 - -0.97%
1887 - -0.73%
1886 - -0.08%
1885 - -0.78%
1884 - -0.23%
1883 - -0.38%
1882 - 0.38%
1881 - 0.08%
1880 - -0.02%
1879 - -0.52%
1878 - -0.08%
1877 - 0.11%
1876 - 0.1%
1875 - -1.42%
1874 - -0.1%
1873 - 2.22%
1872 - -2.27%
1871 - -2.64%
1870 - -3.42%
1869 - -2.64%
1868 - -1.46%
1867 - -0.79%
1866 - -0.83%
1865 - -1.84%
1864 - -2.48%
1863 - -1.55%
1862 - -1.76%
1861 - -1.77%
1860 - -0.94%
1859 - 0.39%
1858 - -0.44%
1857 - -0.41%
1856 - -0.46%
1855 - -0.76%
1854 - -0.32%
1853 - -0.02%
1852 - -0.11%
1851 - -0.25%
1850 - 0.31%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1850–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/latvia/spain | 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 Spain's deficit of $54.3B, or 3.15% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Latvia recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Spain ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Latvia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.97% of GDP for Spain.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Latvia

Spain
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Latvia Spain
2024 1.27% 2.77%
2023 8.94% 3.53%
2022 17.3% 8.39%
2021 3.28% 3.09%
2020 0.22% -0.32%
2019 2.81% 0.7%
2018 2.53% 1.67%
2017 2.93% 1.96%
2016 0.14% -0.2%
2015 0.17% -0.5%
2014 0.62% -0.15%
2013 -0.03% 1.41%
2012 2.26% 2.45%
2011 4.37% 3.2%
2010 -1.08% 1.8%
2009 3.53% -0.29%
2008 15.4% 4.08%
2007 10.1% 2.79%
2006 6.54% 3.52%
2005 6.75% 3.37%
2004 6.19% 3.04%
2003 2.94% 3.04%
2002 1.94% 3.07%
2001 2.49% 3.59%
2000 2.65% 3.43%
1999 2.36% 2.31%
1998 4.64% 1.83%
1997 8.45% 1.97%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/latvia/spain | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Latvia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.28%, compared with 2.34% in Spain. In 2024, inflation was 1.27% in Latvia and 2.77% in Spain.

Top exports between countries

Latvia
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $75.7M
Raw agricultural goods $61.3M
Machinery & equipment $59.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $36.6M
Wood & paper products $31.9M
Business & finance services $27M
Textiles & consumer goods $25.5M
Chemicals & pharma $21.4M
Raw materials & minerals $14M
Metals $8.44M
Spain
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $79.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $77.9M
Machinery & equipment $52.3M
Raw agricultural goods $45M
Chemicals & pharma $30M
Raw materials & minerals $25.1M
Metals $11.6M
Animal & marine products $8.8M
Wood & paper products $4.26M
Weapons & explosives $3.9M

Balance of trade

Latvia Spain
Current account balance
-$688M
2024
$54.9B
2024
Current account balance ranking
115/190
2024
13/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.57%
2024
+3.18%
2024
Goods imports
$23.4B
2024
$456B
2024
Goods exports
$20.1B
2024
$419B
2024
Service imports
$5.86B
2024
$111B
2024
Service exports
$8.42B
2024
$220B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66.9%
2024
32.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
65.3%
2024
37.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Latvia Spain
Economic freedom 71.6 66.8
Economic freedom ranking 31/197 59/197
Property rights 88.8 88
Government integrity 67.7 64.2
Judicial effectiveness 70.9 74.3
Tax burden 70.9 58.2
Government spending 42.7 37.3
Fiscal health 80.8 57.3
Business freedom 80.7 82.6
Labor freedom 60.5 61.7
Monetary freedom 76.3 78.2
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 80 60
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Latvia
Spain
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Latvia Spain
2026 71.6 66.8
2025 71.4 66.3
2024 71.5 63.3
2023 72.8 65
2022 74.8 68.2
2021 72.3 69.9
2020 71.9 66.9
2019 70.4 65.7
2018 73.6 65.1
2017 74.8 63.6
2016 70.4 68.5
2015 69.7 67.6
2014 68.7 67.2
2013 66.5 68
2012 65.2 69.1
2011 65.8 70.2
2010 66.2 69.6
2009 66.6 70.1
2008 68.3 69.1
2007 67.9 69.2
2006 66.9 68.2
2005 66.3 67
2004 67.4 68.9
2003 66 68.8
2002 65 68.8
2001 66.4 68.1
2000 63.4 65.9
1999 64.2 65.1
1998 63.4 62.6
1997 62.4 59.6
1996 55 59.6
1995 - 62.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/latvia/spain | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Latvia is 71.6, ranking 31/197, compared to 66.8 for Spain, ranking 59/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Latvia Spain
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2024
68.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
19.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.04%
2024
2.75%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$40.4B
2024
$1.64T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$42,660
2024
$57,670
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.14B
2024
$108B
2024
Total reserves ranking
98/177
2024
26/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.26B
2024
$28.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.51B
2024
$42.8B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$257M
2024
$71.5B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
22.5%
2022
20.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
21.2%
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/spain | 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 (1850–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
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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.