Administrative divisions of Latvia explained

The current administrative division of Latvia came into force on 1 July 2021.

On 10 June 2020, the Saeima approved a municipal reform that would reduce the 110 municipalities and nine republic cities to 43 local government units consisting of 36 municipalities (novads) and seven state cities (valstspilsētas, valstspilsēta).[1] [2] The municipalities are also further divided into 71 cities/towns (pilsētas, pilsēta) and 512 parishes (pagasti, pagasts).

On 1 June 2021, the Constitutional Court of Latvia ruled that the annexation of Varakļāni Municipality to Rēzekne Municipality was unconstitutional. In response, the Saeima decided to preserve the existence of Varakļāni Municipality as a 43rd local government unit until 2025.[3] [4] In June 2024 the Saeima decreed that Varakļāni Municipality will be merged into Madona Municipality immediately after the 2025 Latvian local elections.[5]

Previous municipal reforms after the restoration of Latvian independence were enacted in 2009 and 1990 (when parishes were restored).

State cities with independent governments as of 2021

The 2020 law on administrative territories and populated areas designated Ogre and the previous nine republic cities as state cities. It also provided for the promotion of Iecava and Koknese to state city status on 1 July 2021. However, under the same law, only the seven state cities listed in the following table will have local governments which are independent of any municipality. Of the remaining three state cities, Jēkabpils and Valmiera became part of Jēkabpils Municipality and Valmiera Municipality respectively on 1 July 2021, while Ogre is similarly a part of the Ogre Municipality.

City namePopulation
(2021 estimate)[6]
GDP (mil. €),
2018[7]
GDP per capita (€), 2018
Daugavpils80,6276938,400
Jelgava55,33658310,400
Jūrmala50,2484218,600
Liepāja67,96489713,000
Rēzekne26,83928310,100
Riga614,61816,39525,800
Ventspils33,37247013,600

Municipalities as of 2021

As of 1 July 2021, there are 36 municipalities in Latvia:[3] [8]

MunicipalityPopulation
(2021 estimate)
Territorial units of municipality:
(cities, towns, and parishes)
21,134 Ādaži Parish, Ādaži town, Carnikava Parish
29,367 Aiviekste Parish, Aizkraukle Parish, Aizkraukle town, Bebri Parish, Daudzese Parish, Irši Parish, Jaunjelgava Parish, Jaunjelgava town, Klintaine Parish, Koknese Parish, Koknese town, Mazzalve Parish, Nereta Parish, Pilskalne Parish, Pļaviņas town, Sece Parish, Sērene Parish, Skrīveri Parish, Staburags Parish, Sunākste Parish, Vietalva Parish, Zalve Parish
13,861 Alsviķi Parish, Alūksne town, Anna Parish, Ilzene Parish, Jaunalūksne Parish, Jaunanna Parish, Jaunlaicene Parish, Kalncempji Parish, Liepna Parish, Maliena Parish, Mālupe Parish, Mārkalne Parish, Pededze Parish, Veclaicene Parish, Zeltiņi Parish, Ziemeri Parish
25,927 Ambeļi Parish, Bebrene Parish, Biķernieki Parish, Demene Parish, Dubna Parish, Dviete Parish, Eglaine Parish, Ilūkste town, Kalkūne Parish, Kalupe Parish, Laucesa Parish, Līksna Parish, Maļinova Parish, Medumi Parish, Naujene Parish, Nīcgale Parish, Pilskalne Parish, Prode Parish, Saliena Parish, Skrudaliena Parish, Subate town, Svente Parish, Šēdere Parish, Tabore Parish, Vabole Parish, Vecsaliena Parish, Višķi Parish
19,015 Baltinava Parish, Balvi Parish, Balvi town, Bērzkalne Parish, Bērzpils Parish, Briežuciems Parish, Krišjāņi Parish, Kubuli Parish, Kuprava Parish, Lazdukalns Parish, Lazduleja Parish, Medņeva Parish, Rugāji Parish, Susāji Parish, Šķilbēni Parish, Tilža Parish, Vectilža Parish, Vecumi Parish, Viļaka town, Vīksna Parish, Žīguri Parish
41,755 Bauska town, Bārbele Parish, Brunava Parish, Ceraukste Parish, Code Parish, Dāviņi Parish, Gailīši Parish, Iecava Parish, Iecava town, Īslīce Parish, Kurmene Parish, Mežotne Parish, Rundāle Parish, Skaistkalne Parish, Stelpe Parish, Svitene Parish, Valle Parish, Vecsaule Parish, Vecumnieki Parish, Viesturi Parish
41,161 Amata Parish, Cēsis town, Drabeši Parish, Dzērbene Parish, Ineši Parish, Jaunpiebalga Parish, Kaive Parish, Liepa Parish, Līgatne Parish, Līgatne town, Mārsnēni Parish, Nītaure Parish, Priekuļi Parish, Raiskums Parish, Skujene Parish, Stalbe Parish, Straupe Parish, Taurene Parish, Vaive Parish, Vecpiebalga Parish, Veselava Parish, Zaube Parish, Zosēni Parish
28,517 Annenieki Parish, Auce town, Augstkalne Parish, Auri Parish, Bēne Parish, Bērze Parish, Biksti Parish, Bukaiši Parish, Dobele Parish, Dobele town, Īle Parish, Jaunbērze Parish, Krimūna Parish, Lielauce Parish, Naudīte Parish, Penkule Parish, Tērvete Parish, Ukri Parish, Vecauce Parish, Vītiņi Parish, Zebrene Parish
19,619 Beļava Parish, Dauksti Parish, Druviena Parish, Galgauska Parish, Gulbene town, Jaungulbene Parish, Lejasciems Parish, Litene Parish, Lizums Parish, Līgo Parish, Ranka Parish, Stāmeriena Parish, Stradi Parish, Tirza Parish
31,969 Cena Parish, Eleja Parish, Glūda Parish, Jaunsvirlauka Parish, Kalnciems Parish, Lielplatone Parish, Līvbērze Parish, Ozolnieki Parish, Platone Parish, Salgale Parish, Sesava Parish, Svēte Parish, Valgunde Parish, Vilce Parish, Vircava Parish, Zaļenieki Parish
40,576 Aknīste Parish, Aknīste town, Asare Parish, Atašiene Parish, Ābeļi Parish, Dignāja Parish, Dunava Parish, Elkšņi Parish, Gārsene Parish, Jēkabpils city, Kalna Parish, Krustpils Parish, Kūkas Parish, Leimaņi Parish, Mežāre Parish, Rite Parish, Rubene Parish, Sala Parish, Sauka Parish, Sēlpils Parish, Varieši Parish, Viesīte Parish, Viesīte town, Vīpe Parish, Zasa Parish
30,077 Baldone Parish, Baldone town, Baloži town, Daugmale Parish, Ķekava Parish, Ķekava town
21,459 Andrupene Parish, Andzeļi Parish, Asūne Parish, Auleja Parish, Bērziņi Parish, Dagda Parish, Dagda town, Ezernieki Parish, Grāveri Parish, Indra Parish, Izvalta Parish, Kalnieši Parish, Kaplava Parish, Kastuļina Parish, Kombuļi Parish, Konstantinova Parish, Krāslava Parish, Krāslava town, Ķepova Parish, Piedruja Parish, Robežnieki Parish, Skaista Parish, Svariņi Parish, Šķaune Parish, Šķeltova Parish, Ūdrīši Parish
27,736 Alsunga Parish, Ēdole Parish, Gudenieki Parish, Īvande Parish, Kabile Parish, Kuldīga town, Kurmāle Parish, Laidi Parish, Nīkrāce Parish, Padure Parish, Pelči Parish, Raņķi Parish, Renda Parish, Rudbārži Parish, Rumba Parish, Skrunda Parish, Skrunda town, Snēpele Parish, Turlava Parish, Vārme Parish
28,546 Ainaži Parish, Ainaži town, Aloja Parish, Aloja town, Braslava Parish, Brīvzemnieki Parish, Katvari Parish, Liepupe Parish, Limbaži Parish, Limbaži town, Pāle Parish, Salacgrīva Parish, Salacgrīva town, Skulte Parish, Staicele Parish, Staicele town, Umurga Parish, Vidriži Parish, Viļķene Parish
10,636 Jersika Parish, Līvāni town, Rožupe Parish, Rudzāti Parish, Sutri Parish, Turki Parish
21,777 Blonti Parish, Briģi Parish, Cibla Parish, Cirma Parish, Goliševa Parish, Isnauda Parish, Istra Parish, Kārsava town, Lauderi Parish, Līdumnieki Parish, Ludza town, Malnava Parish, Mežvidi Parish, Mērdzene Parish, Nirza Parish, Ņukši Parish, Pasiene Parish, Pilda Parish, Pureņi Parish, Pušmucova Parish, Rundēni Parish, Salnava Parish, Zaļesje Parish, Zilupe town, Zvirgzdene Parish
28,692 Arona Parish, Barkava Parish, Bērzaune Parish, Cesvaine Parish, Cesvaine town, Dzelzava Parish, Ērgļi Parish, Indrāni Parish, Jumurda Parish, Kalsnava Parish, Lazdona Parish, Liezēre Parish, Lubāna town, Ļaudona Parish, Madona town, Mārciena Parish, Mētriena Parish, Ošupe Parish, Prauliena Parish, Sarkaņi Parish, Sausnēja Parish, Vestiena Parish
32,824 Babīte Parish, Mārupe Parish, Mārupe town, Sala Parish
57,617 Birzgale Parish, Ikšķile town, Jumprava Parish, Krape Parish, Ķegums town, Ķeipene Parish, Laubere Parish, Lēdmane Parish, Lielvārde Parish, Lielvārde town, Madliena Parish, Mazozoli Parish, Meņģele Parish, Ogre city, Ogresgals Parish, Rembates Parish, Suntaži Parish, Taurupe Parish, Tīnūži Parish, Tome Parish
19,705 Olaine Parish, Olaine town
16,759 Aglona Parish, Aizkalne Parish, Galēni Parish, Pelēči Parish, Preiļi Parish, Preiļi town, Riebiņi Parish, Rožkalni Parish, Rušona Parish, Sauna Parish, Silajāņi Parish, Sīļukalns Parish, Stabulnieki Parish, Upmala Parish, Vārkava Parish
29,643 Audriņi Parish, Bērzgale Parish, Čornaja Parish, Dricāni Parish, Feimaņi Parish, Gaigalava Parish, Griškāni Parish, Ilzeskalns Parish, Kantinieki Parish, Kaunata Parish, Lendži Parish, Lūznava Parish, Mākoņkalns Parish, Malta Parish, Nagļi Parish, Nautrēni Parish, Ozolaine Parish, Ozolmuiža Parish, Puša Parish, Rikava Parish, Sakstagals Parish, Silmala Parish, Stoļerova Parish, Strūžāni Parish, Vērēmi Parish, Dekšāres Parish, Sokolki Parish, Viļāni Parish, Viļāni town
31,697 Garkalne Parish, Ropaži Parish, Stopiņi Parish, Vangaži town
22,868 Salaspils Parish, Salaspils town
27,110 Blīdene Parish, Brocēni town, Ciecere Parish, Ezere Parish, Gaiķi Parish, Jaunauce Parish, Jaunlutriņi Parish, Kursīši Parish, Lutriņi Parish, Nīgrande Parish, Novadnieki Parish, Pampāļi Parish, Remte Parish, Ruba Parish, Saldus Parish, Saldus town, Šķēde Parish, Vadakste Parish, Zaņa Parish, Zirņi Parish, Zvārde Parish
9,230 Saulkrasti Parish, Saulkrasti town, Sēja Parish
30,625 Allaži Parish, Inčukalns Parish, Krimulda Parish, Lēdurga Parish, Mālpils Parish, More Parish, Sigulda Parish, Sigulda town
18,155 Ape Parish, Ape town, Bilska Parish, Blome Parish, Branti Parish, Drusti Parish, Gaujiena Parish, Grundzāle Parish, Launkalne Parish, Palsmane Parish, Rauna Parish, Smiltene Parish, Smiltene town, Trapene Parish, Variņi Parish, Vireši Parish
33,364 Aizpute Parish, Aizpute town, Bārta Parish, Bunka Parish, Cīrava Parish, Dunalka Parish, Dunika Parish, Durbe Parish, Durbe town, Embūte Parish, Gavieze Parish, Gramzda Parish, Grobiņa Parish, Grobiņa town, Kalēti Parish, Kalvene Parish, Kazdanga Parish, Laža Parish, Medze Parish, Nīca Parish, Otaņķi Parish, Pāvilosta town, Priekule Parish, Priekule town, Rucava Parish, Saka Parish, Tadaiķi Parish, Vaiņode Parish, Vecpils Parish, Vērgale Parish, Virga Parish
35,699 Abava Parish, Ārlava Parish, Balgale Parish, Dundaga Parish, Ģibuļi Parish, Īve Parish, Kolka Parish, Ķūļciems Parish, Laidze Parish, Lauciene Parish, Lībagi Parish, Lube Parish, Mērsrags Parish, Roja Parish, Sabile town, Stende town, Strazde Parish, Talsi town, Valdemārpils town, Valdgale Parish, Vandzene Parish, Virbi Parish
44,411 Cēres Parish, Degole Parish, Džūkste Parish, Engure Parish, Irlava Parish, Jaunpils Parish, Jaunsāti Parish, Kandava Parish, Kandava town, Lapmežciems Parish, Lestene Parish, Matkule Parish, Pūre Parish, Sēme Parish, Slampe Parish, Smārde Parish, Tukums town, Tume Parish, Vāne Parish, Viesati Parish, Zante Parish, Zemīte Parish, Zentene Parish
7,596 Ērģeme Parish, Kārķi Parish, Valka Parish, Valka town, Vijciems Parish, Zvārtava Parish
51,370 Bērzaine Parish, Brenguļi Parish, Burtnieki Parish, Dikļi Parish, Ēvele Parish, Ipiķi Parish, Jeri Parish, Jērcēni Parish, Kauguri Parish, Kocēni Parish, Ķoņi Parish, Lode Parish, Matīši Parish, Mazsalaca Parish, Mazsalaca town, Naukšēni Parish, Plāņi Parish, Ramata Parish, Rencēni Parish, Rūjiena town, Seda town, Sēļi Parish, Skaņkalne Parish, Strenči town, Trikāta Parish, Vaidava Parish, Valmiera Parish, Valmiera city, Vecate Parish, Vilpulka Parish, Zilākalns Parish
2,945 Murmastiene Parish, Varakļāni Parish, Varakļāni town
10,777 Ance Parish, Jūrkalne Parish, Piltene Parish, Piltene town, Pope Parish, Puze Parish, Tārgale Parish, Ugāle Parish, Usma Parish, Užava Parish, Vārve Parish, Ziras Parish, Zlēkas Parish

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Saeima finally approves major regional reforms . 11 June 2020 . Latvian Public Broadcasting . 12 June 2020 .
  2. Web site: 22 June 2020 . Law on Administrative Territories and Populated Areas, 2020 version . Likumi . Latvijas Vēstnesis . 7 June 2021.
  3. Web site: Upleja . Sanita . 1 June 2021 . Varakļāni paliek kā atsevišķs novads; Rēzeknes un Varakļānu novadā vēlēšanas pārceltas (plkst. 16.15) . lv . . 7 June 2021.
  4. Web site: 1 July 2021 . Law on Administrative Territories and Populated Areas, 2021 version . Likumi . Latvijas Vēstnesis . 24 December 2021.
  5. Web site: 2024-07-14 . Varakļāni, Madona municipalities merge . 2024-07-07 . . en.
  6. Web site: Population by sex and age group in regions, cities, municipalities, towns, rural territories, neighbourhoods and densely populated areas at the beginning of the year by Sex, Age group, Territorial unit and Time period . Official Statistics Portal.
  7. Web site: Meklēt | Oficiālās statistikas portāls.
  8. Web site: 2 June 2021 . Grozījumi Administratīvo teritoriju un apdzīvoto vietu likumā . lv . Likumi . Latvijas Vēstnesis . 7 June 2021.