People in Riga, Latvia. Editorial credit: Aleksandrs Muiznieks / Shutterstock.com

Latvia

Latvia is a multiparty democracy whose elections are regarded as free and fair. Civil liberties are generally respected in law and in practice. However, corruption remains a major problem affecting politics, the judiciary, and the wider criminal justice system. The country’s ethnic Russian population faces disadvantages in matters such as education and employment.

Iranian people in Izmir protest the death of Mahsa Amini by the morality police in Iran.

Freedom in the World — Latvia Country Report

Latvia is rated Free in Freedom in the World 2023, Freedom House's annual study of political rights and civil liberties worldwide. 

Ukraine photograph photo auction by anastasiia lukavska

Nations in Transit — Latvia Country Report

Categorized as a Consolidated Democracy, Latvia receives a Democracy Percentage of 80 out of 100 in the Nations in Transit 2022 report.