Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Latvia instead of West Virginia, you would:

Health

live 3.1 years longer

In West Virginia, the average life expectancy is 73 years (72 years for men, 77 years for women) as of 2020. In Latvia, that number is 76 years (71 years for men, 81 years for women) as of 2022.

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Economy

make 19.3% less money

West Virginia has a GDP per capita of $46,834 as of 2024, while in Latvia, the GDP per capita is $37,800 as of 2023.

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be 48.4% more likely to be unemployed

In West Virginia, 4.4% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In Latvia, that number is 6.5% as of 2023.

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be 38.0% more likely to live below the poverty line

In West Virginia, 16.3% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In Latvia, however, that number is 22.5% as of 2022.

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The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, OECD Regional Demography, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Compare further: West Virginia vs. Latvia

Cost of Living Comparison · 7 categories - 2026 data
Latvia is 7.3% cheaper than West Virginia
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Size Comparison · See true size
West Virginia is around the same size as Latvia.
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Latvia: At a glance

Latvia is a sovereign country in Europe, with a total land area of approximately 62,249 sq km. The name "Latvia" originates from the ancient Latgalians, one of four eastern Baltic tribes that formed the ethnic core of the Latvian people (ca. 8th-12th centuries A.D.). The region subsequently came under the control of Germans, Poles, Swedes, and finally, Russians. A Latvian republic emerged following World War I, but it was annexed by the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. Latvia reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 28% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia acceded to both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004; it joined the eurozone in 2014.
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How big is Latvia compared to West Virginia? See an in-depth size comparison.

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