A Commission staff working document published on 24 June 2026 assesses Latvia's progress toward the EU's 2030 Digital Decade targets, finding strong public digital services but persistent gaps in connectivity, SME digitalisation, and digital skills. The report, part of the State of the Digital Decade 2026 package, notes that Latvia set 14 national targets (86% aligned with EU 2030 goals) and that 42% of 2025 trajectory points are on track, while it addressed 40% of the five recommendations from 2025.
Fixed very high-capacity network (VHCN) coverage fell to 66.66% in 2025, well below the EU average of 85.54%, and rural VHCN coverage stood at only 10.9% against an EU average of 66.66%. By contrast, 5G coverage surged to 98.24% in 2025, surpassing the EU average of 96.79%, and 5G in the 3.4–3.8 GHz band reached 79.17% (EU average 74.75%). SME digital intensity reached 58.5% in 2025, far below the EU average of 71.4%; AI adoption grew 38.3% to 12.2% (EU average 20.0%); and cloud adoption was 37.8% (EU average 46.7%). ICT specialists fell to 4.5% of employment in 2025 (EU average 5.0%), and at least basic digital skills reached 48.4% (EU average 60.4%).
Latvia allocated EUR 416 million (23% of its recovery plan) to digital, plus EUR 4 million from cohesion policy (10% of total). Cyber incidents increased sixfold since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The report's recommendations cover fibre rollout and copper switch-off, 5G in rural areas, ICT specialist numbers, digital skills for all ages, SME digitalisation funding, start-up growth, cybersecurity for SMEs and critical infrastructure, and e-health mobile app development.
Stakeholder impact - Latvian businesses (especially SMEs): Face competitive disadvantage due to low digital intensity and slow AI/cloud adoption; may benefit from targeted EU funding and recommendations to improve digitalisation. - Rural residents and businesses: Continue to suffer from very poor fixed broadband connectivity (10.9% rural VHCN coverage), limiting access to digital services and economic opportunities. - Latvian government: Under pressure to accelerate fibre rollout, improve digital skills training, and boost cybersecurity, with potential reputational risk if targets are missed. - EU institutions: The report provides a baseline for monitoring Latvia's Digital Decade commitments and may influence future cohesion policy allocations.
Institutional follow-up The Commission will use the country report to inform its annual Digital Decade assessment and may issue further recommendations. Latvia is expected to update its national roadmap accordingly. The Council and European Parliament will discuss the overall State of the Digital Decade 2026 communication in the coming months.