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History

The Institute of Economics of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, founded in 1946, initially operated at Smilšu Street 1 before relocating to the Academy’s Skyscraper, now Akademijas laukums 1, in 1958. The Institute was established to address pressing issues in economic and socio-economic development. Over the years, its staff expanded significantly, from a few dozen to over 150.

The principal research areas historically included political economy, industrial and agricultural development, demography, economic development programs, agrarian-industrial complexes, and transportation. These efforts supported the development and optimization of production forces in Latvia’s economy.

A significant shift occurred in 1999, when the Institute transitioned from a public institution to a private entity, merging with a similar privately established Institute under the same name. This reorganization allowed the Institute to expand its focus, adding modern topics such as regional development, economic growth, and the knowledge economy to its existing research portfolio. This evolution reflects the Institute’s ongoing commitment to addressing Latvia’s and Europe’s economic challenges.

LEADERS OF THE INSTITUTE

01
1946-1947

Janis Bumbiers

economist, candidate of economic science (1935), corresponding member of Academy of Sciences of the Latvian SSR (1946) Scientific research area: agrarian economic
02
1947–1952

Nikolajs Kovalevskis

economist, Dr. oec. (1945), professor (1946), full member of Academy of Sciences of the Latvian SSR (1951). Scientific research areas: location problems of production forces and perspective planning of economy
03
1957 & 1952

Fricis Deglavs

economist, docent (1949), full member of Academy of Sciences of the Latvian SSR (1951). Scientific research areas: economic problems of development of socialism
04
1958–1960

Pauls Dzerve

economist, candidate of economic science (1953), docent (1956), corresponding member of Academy of Sciences of the Latvian SSR (1958, academic title taken away in 1960, restored after the death in 1989). Scientific research areas: history of economy, economic thought
05
1960

Andrejs Sumins

economist, candidate of economic science (1955), docent (1956). Scientific research area: planning of economy
06
1960–1974

Janis Turcins

economist, Dr. oec. (1971), corresponding member of Academy of Sciences of the Latvian SSR (1960). Scientific research areas: problems of political economy of capitalism and socialism
07
1974–1989

Imants Kirtovskis

economist, Dr. oec. (1978), professor (1980), corresponding member of Latvian Academy of Sciences (1987). Scientific research areas: history of economic sciences and political economy of socialism
08
1990–1992

Janis Janovs

economist, candidate of economic science (1968), Dr. oec. (nostrification 1992), corresponding member of Latvian Academy of Sciences (1992). Scientific research areas: economic problems of development of national economy, location of production forces
09
1993–2009

Raita Karnite

economist, candidate of economic science (1987), Dr. oec. (nostrification 1992), full member of Latvian Academy of Sciences (2006). Scientific research areas: economy, development problems of national economy
10
2009 - 2014

Helma Jirgena

economist, Dr. oec. (2008), assoc. prof. (2012). Scientific research areas: regional economy, agrarian economy, entrepreneurship
11
2014 - present

Nina Linde

entrepreneur, Dr. paed. (2003), assoc. prof. (2007). Scientific research areas: business economy, regional economy, social entrepreneurship etc

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