Latvia has been attracting female recruits to its National Armed Forces (LNAF) for the first time, with 11 out of the initial 488 voluntary applicants being women. This number is surprisingly high, better than its Baltic neighbors and most other NATO member states. The female share of the Latvian army has held stable above 15% for the past decade, with women now making up 16.5% of the army’s total military personnel. An ambitious 2026 goal aims to make this 25%. Women also accounted for an even more impressive 20% share in the National Guard. NATO’s female average average rose from 10.5% in 2013 to 13% in 2020, indicating Latvia’s position at the forefront of the alliance. In 2020, Latvia had greater female representation than 19 NATO members and shared seventh place with Canada. Latvia is also the absolute leader in the Baltics, ahead of Lithuania with 12.2% and Estonia with 9%. Statistically, women have better career prospects in the Latvian military than the NATO average, but hurdles remain, such as lag in military career development and predominantly designated non-combat duties.
CENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE NEWS
Latvia has been attracting female recruits
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