Market Report Latvia – The Latvian Study Abroad Market
This market report on Latvia reviews key socio‑economic, educational, and student mobility trends that will shape outbound recruitment. Latvia’s education system delivers widely accessible, compulsory schooling and has achieved relatively high tertiary attainment compared with many EU peers, with nearly half of young adults holding a degree. Recent OECD data show that Latvia continues to prioritise educational quality even as public spending per student remains lower than the OECD average, and reforms such as a new school funding model are being introduced to support more efficient and targeted resourcing.
Despite demographic pressures and historically declining student population, Latvia has recently seen a modest rebound in total student numbers and rising internationalization of higher education. The share of international tertiary students in Latvia grew from around 9.3% in 2018 to 13.4% by 2023, exceeding the OECD average and signaling growing global appeal. However, many Latvian students continue to pursue education abroad, with UNESCO‑derived estimates indicating around 5,000+ Latvian students studying overseas in recent cycles, underlining continued outbound mobility even as domestic enrollments stabilize.
Looking toward 2026 and beyond, Latvian students increasingly view international opportunities as pathways to broader academic experiences and stronger labour market outcomes, particularly in fields where local supply is limited. For recruiters, Latvia represents a small but steady and quality‑oriented outbound market, characterized by demand for English‑medium programs, financial support or scholarships, and clear links to employability and career progression.
Quick facts
Secondary education
Higher education
Upcoming Education Fairs in Latvia
Latvian Education System
Secondary education
Primary and lower secondary education is being organized in a single structure system (pamatizglītība or basic education). Education starts at the age of 7 and consisting of nine years of compulsory schooling. Basic education ends after grade 9 with a final examination.
Upper secondary education (vidējā izglītība) begins at the age of 16 and ends at the age of 19, and is provided in general and vocational pathways by vidusskola, ģimnāzija and profesionālās izglītības iestāde. Although upper-secondary education is not compulsory, the proportion of population with completed upper secondary education is still high and above the OECD average.
Admission to Higher Education
Admission to higher education is decentralized, and organized at institutional level. The results of the national final examination for secondary education is basis for admission.
Higher education institutions may formulate further admission requirements, in the form of examinations, interviews or aptitude tests. The Atestāts par vispārējo vidējo izglītību (comprehensive general secondary education certificate) and Diploms par profesionālo vidējo izglītību basically grants access to all forms of higher education.
Higher Education
Higher education in Latvia is being offered on academic and professional/polytechnic level. The majority of the Latvian institutions offer both degrees.
- Academic education focusing on research skills, while providing a theoretical background for their career. Programs lead to a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.
- Professional – polytechnic/vocational education focusing on hands on experience is a particular field, often containing internships as part of the curriculum.
The Latvian higher education system is a part of the Bologna process, and follows the 3-cycle system:
- 1st cycle includes short cycle programs and academic or professional Bachelor’s degree programs
- 2nd cycle includes academic or professional Master’s degree programs
- 3rd cycle includes Doctor’s degree programs
Bachelor programs
Bachelor’s programs at Universitāte, Akadēmija, Augstskola en Institūts have a duration of 6 to 8 semesters (120-160 Latvian credits: 1 Latvian credit corresponds with 1.5 ECTS). Upon completion students obtain a Bakalaura Diploms degree
Master programs
Master programs have an average duration of 1 to 2 years. Upon completion, students obtain a Mağistra Diploms degree.
PhD programs
Most PhD programs have a duration of 3 to 4 years. The doctorate degree program leads to the award of the Doktora grāds.
(Source: ec.europa.eu)
Latest Latvian Higher Education study abroad stats
At this point a total number of 5,107 Latvian students are studying abroad (source: UNESCO). These are the most popular study abroad destination among students from Latvia:
IB schools in Latvia
- International School of Latvia – Babites novads – https://www.isl.edu.lv/
- International School of Riga – Riga – https://isriga.lv/