The public debt of Latvia in 2016 amounted to 8.913 billion euro, which corresponds to 35,6% of GDP. In the EU countries, the average share of public debt exceeds 80% of GDP, compared with the same indicator of the public debt of Latvia formally not serious. However, if we consider the public debt structure and schedule of future payments, the score will be slightly different. In the government debt structure of Latvia's foreign debt is 83% and if the 2016 payments should amount to 400 million euro, in 2020 - 1.3 billion euro in 2021 - 1.4 billion euro. Naturally, to make such payments due to the current budget is impossible and would require new loans. In assessing the impact of the growth of public debt the most important for the country is the intertemporal aspect of the problem. The extent of the impact of public debt on future generations who will have to implement the return of credits depends on the sources of the public debt. If the taking of loans made abroad, the future generation will be obliged to pay the sum of overseas loan repayment and interest that would reduce the resources used within the country.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/cbme.2017.042