Safest cities in Latvia
1 city with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in LatviaAlthough there’s no recent history of terrorism in Latvia, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Belarus border
- FCDO currently advises against all travel to Belarus. There is limited access along parts of Latvia’s border with Belarus. The Silene-Urbani road border crossing is currently closed. More border checkpoints may close or implement restrictions at short notice.
Crime
- Protecting yourself and your belongingsPetty crime, particularly bag snatching and pickpocketing, is a greater risk in:
- ScamsSome tourists have been charged high prices for drinks or have found fraudulent transactions on their credit and debit cards. You should:
- Bank card fraudFraudsters can steal your card details without you noticing. Use ATMs inside banks if possible, and check ATMs on the street for signs of tampering. Keep cards in sight when paying in shops and restaurants. Read more about how to avoid bank card fraud.
- Drink and food spikingThere have been instances of drink spiking in Riga and elsewhere in Latvia. Do not leave drinks unattended and be wary of accepting food and drink from strangers in bars, nightclubs and restaurants.
- Theft from vehiclesTry to use car parks with CCTV. Make sure your vehicle is locked and your belongings are out of sight.
Laws and cultural differences
- Personal IDAlways carry a copy of your passport’s photo page.
- Alcohol laws and bansDrinking alcohol in public, including in parks and in the streets, is illegal. The police could arrest and fine you.
- Illegal drugsIllegal drugs, including cannabis, are strictly prohibited, even in very small quantities. Severe penalties apply for possessing, using, buying, or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through airports. You should expect long jail sentences of up to 10 years and heavy fines.
- Public transportYou can get on-the-spot fines for travelling on public transport without a ticket or with an unvalidated ticket. Validate your ticket with the machine as soon as you board the bus or tram.
- LGBT+ travellersSame-sex sexual activity is legal in Latvia. Same-sex unions were legalised in 2023 and will be able to take place from July 2024.
Transport risks
- Road travelIf you are planning to drive in Latvia, see information on driving abroad and check the rules of the road in the RAC’s Latvia guide. The guide lists driving regulations and other legal requirements you need to be aware of.
- Taxi safetyTo reduce the risk of being charged inflated fares:
- Drone activitySome Ukrainian drones aimed at Russia have crossed into Latvian airspace. Follow official guidance as necessary.
Extreme weather
- WinterBe prepared for extremely cold and possibly hazardous weather if you travel to Latvia in the winter – between October and March. Temperatures may drop to -25°C or below. Snowfalls can result in delays and cancellations on public transport and difficult road conditions.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Latvia, updated 2026-08-11 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 2.78 /100k2024
- Income inequality
- Gini 34.02023
- Human development
- HDI 0.8892023
- Income
- $45,740/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 8.1 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 76/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 76/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 60/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 2.6/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.88GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 13.0 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- 97%of population, 2024 · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 3.4 doctors /1k5.0 hospital beds per 1,000
Natural hazards
- Flood
- 6.6/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Drought
- 2.1/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Latvia (as of 2025).
How Latvia compares
| Measure | Latvia | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 2.8 /100k | 2.4 /100k | +0.4 /100k — better for World median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 34.0 | 35.2 | −1.2 — better for Latvia |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.889 | 0.763 | +0.126 — better for Latvia |
| Road deaths | 8.1 /100k | 15.4 /100k | −7.3 /100k — better for Latvia |
| Rule of law | 76/100 | 52/100 | +24/100 — better for Latvia |
| Corruption perceptions | 60/100 | 39/100 | +21/100 — better for Latvia |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 13.0 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | −6.7 µg/m³ — better for Latvia |
| Natural-hazard risk | 2.6/10 | 3.8/10 | −1.2/10 — better for Latvia |
| Measure | Latvia | Europe median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 2.8 /100k | 1.0 /100k | +1.8 /100k — better for Europe median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 34.0 | 30.6 | +3.4 — better for Europe median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.889 | 0.911 | −0.022 — better for Europe median |
| Road deaths | 8.1 /100k | 5.5 /100k | +2.5 /100k — better for Europe median |
| Rule of law | 76/100 | 73/100 | +3/100 — better for Latvia |
| Corruption perceptions | 60/100 | 56/100 | +5/100 — better for Latvia |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 13.0 µg/m³ | 11.2 µg/m³ | +1.8 µg/m³ — better for Europe median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 2.6/10 | 2.5/10 | +0.1/10 — better for Europe median |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 1 cities, safest first
- Riga69.4 · #3456 worldwide