Average monthly gross wages and salaries in the country in first quarter of 2009 comprised LVL 469.Compared to the fourth quarter of 2008 wages and salaries have reduced by 6.2%.

Compared to April 2008 in April of this year, according to working (trade) day adjusted data, calculating at constant prices, total retail trade turnover has decreased by 29.6%.

In comparison with 1^st quarter of 2008, number of visitors in hotels and other collective accommodation establishments in the 1^st quarter of 2009 decreased by 27% and comprised 191.6 thsd people.

Compared to March 2009, producer prices in Latvian industry in April 2009 decreased by 0.9%. Over the year (compared to April 2008) producer prices have decreased by 2.6%.

Of all the Latvian travellers who visited foreign countries in 2008, 28% mentioned recreation as the main purpose of the trip, 27% had visited their relatives and friends, for 14% the main purpose was business and for 14% it was shopping.

Compared to 1st quarter of 2008 construction in Latvia in 1st quarter of 2009 has decreased by 29.8%. Of which volume of buildings constructed reduced by 42.7%, but volume of civil engineering structures grew by 7.5%.

In the 1^st quarter of 2009 there were 168.8 thsd unemployed or 13.9% of the economically active population.

In January - March 2009 total volume of goods in foreign trade of Latvia at current prices reached 1987.1 mln lats – a decrease of 963.9 mln lats or 32.7%, if compared to January – March 2008. Of which exports volume reduced by 279.3 mln lats or 26.0%, but imports value – by 684.6 mln lats or 36.5%

At the beginning of 2009 in Latvia there were 2million 261 thousand persons, a drop of 9.6 thousand persons compared to the previous year. In 2008 the number of population decreased more slowly than a year before and comprised 0.42% (0.46% in 2007).

Compared to the April of previous year consumer prices in April of this year have increased by 6.2%, of which prices of goods increased by 4.8%, but of services – by 9.8%.

In the 1^st quarter of 2009 compared to the same period of 2008 gross domestic product (GDP) value has decreased by 18%

In March 2009 the total foreign trade turnover at current prices reached 700.6 mln lats – more by 8.3% or 53.7 mln lats than a month before and less by 29.7% or 296.3 mln lats than in March last year

Compared to the 1^st quarter of 2008 construction costs in Latvia in 1^st quarter of 2009 on average decreased by 3.5%. Most rapid reduction was recorded in construction of hotels and family houses (by 7.5% and 7.1%, respectively)

Compared to February industrial production output in March 2009 reduced by 0.8%. Of which in manufacturing – by 0.7%, in electricity and gas supply - by 2.6%, but in mining and quarrying there was an increase of 7.1%.