Official Language
Latvian
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: lifeinriga.com, mikegravel.org
Overall7/10More English-friendly than about 55% of cities
Good to know
Good to Know
- Riga's city centre is very English-friendly for nomads and visitors; you can navigate daily life in English
- Younger people (under 40) are your best bet for English conversations; older generations may speak Russian instead
- Learning basic Latvian phrases is appreciated by locals and can enhance interactions, even though English will get you by
- At outdoor markets and small neighbourhood shops outside the centre, English may be less common—carry a translation app or learn key phrases
- Tourist industry staff (hotels, restaurants, attractions) are fluent in English as a job requirement
Other Languages
- German
- Popular second foreign language after English
- Russian
- Spoken by approximately one-third of the population, more common among older generations
Official Language
Latvian
English Proficiency
- Overall Summary
- English is widely spoken, especially among younger demographics in Riga
By Context
- Markets
- Fewer English speakers; basic phrases in Latvian/numbers useful
- Tourist Sector
- Fluency in English is a requirement for tourism industry workers
- City Centre Riga
- Most younger staff at shops, restaurants, tourist areas speak English
By Age Group
- Over 40
- English less common; Russian more prevalent, but some English still found
- Under 40
- Good English proficiency; 42% of 15-34 year-olds are fully fluent
- Under 30 Riga
- Most younger people in Riga centre able to speak at least some English
Key Characteristics
Key Characteristics
- 96% of inhabitants speak at least 2 languages
- English has replaced Russian as the most common foreign language to learn since Latvia's independence in 1990
- Younger ethnic Latvians typically switch to English when communicating with foreigners
- English is very common in tourist materials and signage in city centre
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this language & english friendliness research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Riga
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.