Statistics - Latvia

Updated 02/2011

Legal requirements

The Law On National Statistics governs the collection of official statistics.

The Law on National Statistics [89 KB]

You can find information on the type of data, sources and methods of collection, the frequency of publication, the level of detail necessary and on the institutions responsible for conducting surveys in the National Statistical Information Programme (NSIP), approved every year by the Cabinet of Ministers.

The National Statistical Information Programme for 2011

Statistical bodies

National statistics are collected and processed by the:

It is compulsory to provide information to the national authorities and you will not be charged for doing this.

Types of statistics

Statistical data generation is based on findings from reports submitted by businesses, government and local authority bodies, public organisations and the public themselves. These data are supplemented by information from administrative sources.

Data on business activity are obtained by carrying out regular statistical surveys of large companies and selective surveys of small and medium-sized enterprises.

All respondents included in Central Statistical Bureau surveys receive an information letter at the beginning of the year instructing them on when and where to submit data for the duration of the year. If the information letter has not been received or has been lost, the information can be obtained from the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia (CSP). Additional random surveys can be sent out in the course of the year and the CSP will give notice of them separately.

The Central Statistical Bureau

Administrative procedures

Submitting statistics

Respondents are chosen based on the number of employees and net turnover of the company. Large companies with 50 or more employees or annual net turnover that exceeds the maximum prescribed threshold in the relevant sector are surveyed every year. Remaining respondents are chosen at random. For example, each fifth, tenth company in the specific sector.

The statistical survey forms you will receive will contain a label with the first name, surname and phone number of your statistician. You can contact him or her for all queries related to the mailing of forms, completing surveys, adjusting submission deadlines and submission methods (by post, by fax, by e-mail).

Each form contains phone numbers of the help lines (in complex annual surveys the phone numbers are also displayed next to each section). You can also ask your statistician for advice.

Internet users can choose to submit their surveys electronically. To do this, please contact your statistician who will provide you with the user name and password. Where an electronic survey is used, a paper survey should not be submitted.