In July, compared to June 2008 total retail trade turnover has decreased by 0.2%. Retail trade of food products has decreased by 3.3%, but of non-food products – increased by 1.6%.

In general in both quarters of this year increase rate of wages and salaries in the country has decreased.

In 2008 the number of Latvian population still continues to decrease. However, the decrease rate has slowed down during the recent years.

Compared to corresponding quarter of 2007, the unit value (UV) in the 2^nd quarter of 2008 increased by 8.8% for exported goods and by 9.9% for imported goods. Compared to the previous quarter, the UV of exported goods increased by 2.3% and the unit value of imported goods rose by 4.6%.

Compared with the 2^nd quarter of 2007 construction in Latvia in the 2^nd quarter of 2008 rose on average by 5.7% (at constant prices). Of which volume of new construction grew by 9.6%, repairs and reconstruction – by 0.6%.

Compared to June 2008, producer prices in Latvian industry in July 2008 increased by 0.3%. Over the year (compared to July 2007) they have increased by 12.4%.

In comparison with the relevant period of 2007, in the 2^nd quarter of 2008 the number of economically active population increased by 3.4 %.

Due to the influence of price changes, compared to January – June 2007, in January – June 2008 the volume of exports at constant prices grew by 5.6%, but the volume of imports at constant prices decreased by 7.8%.

According to ESSPROS methodology costs for social protection in Latvia in 2006 constituted 1368 mln lats or 12.2% of gross domestic product (in Estonia – 12.3%, in Lithuania – 13.4%).

In the 1^st half of 2008 the number of building permits granted for the construction of single dwelling buildings, of two or more dwelling buildings, as well as, for capital repairs, reconstruction and restoration of these buildings has reduced.

Compared to the first quarter of 2007, in the first quarter of 2008 the value of agricultural and food product exports (at current prices) increased faster than their imports.

Total foreign trade turnover at current prices in June 2008 reached 966.1 mln lats – less by 2.6 mln lats or 0.3% than a month before and less by 41.5 mln lats or 4.1% than in June last year.

Compared to the July of previous year, the consumer prices have increased by 16.7%, of which prices for goods increased by 16.4%, but for services – by 17.4%.

In the 2^nd quarter of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007 gross domestic product (GDP) value has increased by 0.2%.

Compared to May, in June 2008 industrial production output grew by 1.2%. But compared to June of previous year in June 2008 industrial production output, in turn, decreased by 6.4%.

In 2007 average costs of forest regeneration depending on the group of their land quality constituted LVL 88 to LVL 105 per ha. But forest thinning costs in Latvia on average varied between LVL 49 to 62 per ha.