Latvians Hold Real Estate as Most Valuable Asset – Highest in OECD

According to an analysis by real estate agency "Latio," housing remains the most valuable asset for Latvians. OECD data shows that almost 54% of households' main wealth consists of their own home, and another 30% own other real estate, such as land or rental apartments. This is the highest rate among all OECD countries and stands in stark contrast to Lithuania and Estonia, where only about 18% of households invest in a second property, often preferring financial market instruments.

"Latio" notes that in Latvia, real estate is perceived as safer than financial instruments because it is tangible and protects capital during inflation.

Comparing the Baltic capitals, Riga stands out with lower apartment prices. In new projects in the city center, the average price per square meter is €3,500, compared to €7,030 in Vilnius and €4,590 in Tallinn. Over the past year, prices in Riga have risen by 11%, in Vilnius by nearly 14%, and in Tallinn by only 5%.

At the same time, Riga offers the highest rental yield – an average of 6.5%, while Vilnius yields around 5% and Tallinn 3.3%. Experts say Riga currently provides a low entry threshold and high profit potential for both local and foreign investors.