Introduction
Background
Lithuanian lands were united under MINDAUGAS in 1236; over the next century, through alliances and conquest, Lithuania extended its territory to include most of present-day Belarus and Ukraine. By the end of the 14th century Lithuania was the largest state in Europe. An alliance with Poland in 1386 led the two countries into a union through the person of a common ruler. In 1569, Lithuania and Poland formally united into a single dual state, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. This entity survived until 1795 when its remnants were partitioned by surrounding countries. Lithuania regained its independence following World War I but was annexed by the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. On 11 March 1990, Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence, but Moscow did not recognize this proclamation until September of 1991 (following the abortive coup in Moscow). The last Russian troops withdrew in 1993. Lithuania subsequently restructured its economy for integration into West European institutions; it joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004. In 2015, Lithuania joined the euro zone, and it joined the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in 2018.
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Geography
Location
Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia, west of Belarus
Geographic coordinates
56 00 N, 24 00 E
Map references
Europe
Land boundaries
total: 1,545 km
border countries (4): Belarus 640 km; Latvia 544 km; Poland 100 km; Russia (Kaliningrad) 261 km
Coastline
90 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate
transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers
Terrain
lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil
Elevation
highest point: Aukstojas 294 m
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
mean elevation: 110 m
Natural resources
peat, arable land, amber
Land use
agricultural land: 44.8% (2018 est.)
arable land: 34.9% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.5% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 9.4% (2018 est.)
forest: 34.6% (2018 est.)
other: 20.6% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land
16 sq km (2013)
Major lakes (area sq km)
salt water lake(s): Curonian Lagoon (shared with Russia) - 1,620 sq km
Population distribution
fairly even population distribution throughout the country, but somewhat greater concentrations in the southern cities of Vilnius and Kaunas, and the western port of Klaipeda
Natural hazards
occasional floods, droughts
Geography - note
fertile central plains are separated by hilly uplands that are ancient glacial deposits
People and Society
Nationality
noun: Lithuanian(s)
adjective: Lithuanian
Ethnic groups
Lithuanian 84.6%, Polish 6.5%, Russian 5%, Belarusian 1%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.8% (2021 est.)
Languages
Lithuanian (official) 85.3%, Russian 6.8%, Polish 5.1%, other 1.1%, two mother tongues 1.7% (2021 est.)
major-language sample(s):
Pasaulio enciklopedija – naudingas bendrosios informacijos šaltinis. (Lithuanian)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Roman Catholic 74.2%, Russian Orthodox 3.7%, Old Believer 0.6%, Evangelical Lutheran 0.6%, Evangelical Reformist 0.2%, other (including Sunni Muslim, Jewish, Greek Catholic, and Karaite) 0.9%, none 6.1%, unspecified 13.7% (2021 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 15.3% (male 208,669/female 197,728)
15-64 years: 63.11% (male 821,319/female 854,763)
65 years and over: 21.59% (2023 est.) (male 197,217/female 376,059)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 55.7
youth dependency ratio: 23.6
elderly dependency ratio: 32.1
potential support ratio: 3.1 (2021 est.)
Median age
total: 44.5 years
male: 40.2 years
female: 48.2 years (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: total 15
Population distribution
fairly even population distribution throughout the country, but somewhat greater concentrations in the southern cities of Vilnius and Kaunas, and the western port of Klaipeda
Urbanization
urban population: 68.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: -0.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
541,000 VILNIUS (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.52 male(s)/female
total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2023 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
28.2 years (2020 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total: 3.61 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 4.06 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total 193
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 75.95 years
male: 70.62 years
female: 81.59 years (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total population 118
Gross reproduction rate
0.78 (2023 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: urban: 100% of population
rural: 93.8% of population
total: 98% of population
unimproved: urban: 0% of population
rural: 6.2% of population
total: 2% of population (2020 est.)
Current health expenditure
7.5% of GDP (2020)
Physicians density
5.08 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density
6.4 beds/1,000 population (2018)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: 99.5% of population
rural: 88.7% of population
total: 96% of population
unimproved: urban: 0.5% of population
rural: 11.3% of population
total: 4% of population (2020 est.)
Major infectious diseases
degree of risk: intermediate (2023)
vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 11.93 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 4.61 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.88 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 4.96 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 1.48 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 4
Tobacco use
total: 32% (2020 est.)
male: 42.1% (2020 est.)
female: 21.8% (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: total 20
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
53.4% (2023 est.)
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.8%
male: 99.8%
female: 99.8% (2021)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 16 years
male: 16 years
female: 17 years (2020)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 19%
male: 18.5%
female: 19.6% (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total 88
Environment
Environment - current issues
water pollution; air pollution; deforestation; threatened animal and plant species; chemicals and waste materials released into the environment contaminate soil and groundwater; soil degradation and erosion
Environment - international agreements
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Climate
transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers
Land use
agricultural land: 44.8% (2018 est.)
arable land: 34.9% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.5% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 9.4% (2018 est.)
forest: 34.6% (2018 est.)
other: 20.6% (2018 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 68.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: -0.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 11.49 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 12.96 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 3.15 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.3 million tons (2015 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 297,960 tons (2015 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 22.9% (2015 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km)
salt water lake(s): Curonian Lagoon (shared with Russia) - 1,620 sq km
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 140 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 60 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
agricultural: 60 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total renewable water resources
24.5 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Lithuania
conventional short form: Lithuania
local long form: Lietuvos Respublika
local short form: Lietuva
former: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic (while occupied by the USSR)
etymology: meaning of the name "Lietuva" remains unclear and is debated by scholars; it may derive from the Lietava, a stream in east central Lithuania
Government type
semi-presidential republic
Capital
name: Vilnius
geographic coordinates: 54 41 N, 25 19 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
etymology: named after the Vilnia River, which flows into the Neris River at Vilnius; the river name derives from the Lithuanian word "vilnis" meaning "a surge"
Administrative divisions
60 municipalities (savivaldybe, singular - savivaldybe); Akmene, Alytaus Miestas, Alytus, Anksciai, Birstonas, Birzai, Druskininkai, Elektrenai, Ignalina, Jonava, Joniskis, Jurbarkas, Kaisiadorys, Kalvarija, Kauno Miestas, Kaunas, Kazlu Rudos, Kedainiai, Kelme, Klaipedos Miestas, Klaipeda, Kretinga, Kupiskis, Lazdijai, Marijampole, Mazeikiai, Moletai, Neringa, Pagegiai, Pakruojis, Palangos Miestas, Panevezio Miestas, Panevezys, Pasvalys, Plunge, Prienai, Radviliskis, Raseiniai, Rietavas, Rokiskis, Sakiai, Salcininkai, Siauliu Miestas, Siauliai, Silale, Silute, Sirvintos, Skuodas, Svencionys, Taurage, Telsiai, Trakai, Ukmerge, Utena, Varena, Vilkaviskis, Vilniaus Miestas, Vilnius, Visaginas, Zarasai
Independence
16 February 1918 (from Soviet Russia and Germany); 11 March 1990 (declared from the Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union); notable earlier dates: 6 July 1253 (coronation of MINDAUGAS, traditional founding date); 1 July 1569 (Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth created)
National holiday
Independence Day (or National Day), 16 February (1918); note - 16 February 1918 was the date Lithuania established its statehood and its concomitant independence from Soviet Russia and Germany; 11 March 1990 was the date it declared the restoration of Lithuanian statehood and its concomitant independence from the Soviet Union
Constitution
history: several previous; latest adopted by referendum 25 October 1992, entered into force 2 November 1992
amendments: proposed by at least one fourth of all Parliament members or by petition of at least 300,000 voters; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of Parliament in each of two readings three months apart and a presidential signature; amendments to constitutional articles on national sovereignty and constitutional amendment procedure also require three-fourths voter approval in a referendum; amended many times, last in 2019
Legal system
civil law system; legislative acts can be appealed to the Constitutional Court
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Lithuania
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: President Gitanas NAUSEDA (since 12 July 2019)
head of government: Prime Minister Ingrida SIMONYTE (since 24 November 2020)
cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the president, approved by Parliament
elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 and 26 May 2019 (next to be held in May 2024); prime minister appointed by the president, approved by Parliament
election results:
2019: Gitanas NAUSEDA elected president in second round; percent of vote - Gitanas NAUSEDA (independent) 66.7%, Ingrida SIMONYTE (independent) 33.3%
2014: Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE elected president; percent of vote - Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE (independent) 59.1%, Zigmantas BALCYTIS (Social Democratic Party) 40.9%
Legislative branch
description: unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats; 71 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote and 70 directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
elections: last held on 11 and 25 October 2020 (next to be held in October 2024)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - TS-LKD 50, LVZS 32, LSDP 13, LRLS 13, LP 11, DP 10, LLRA-KSS 3, LSDDP 3, LT 1, LZP 1, independent 4; composition as of April 2023 - men 101, women 40, women 28 percent
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of 37 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the president and appointed by the Seimas; judges serve 5-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the Seimas from nominations - 3 each by the president of the republic, the Seimas chairperson, and the Supreme Court president; judges serve 9-year, nonrenewable terms; one-third of membership reconstituted every 3 years
subordinate courts: Court of Appeals; district and local courts
Political parties and leaders
Democrats for Lithuania [Saulius SKVERNELIS]
Electoral Action of Lithuanian Poles or LLRA [Valdemar TOMASEVSKI]
Freedom and Justice Party or LT [Remigijus ZEMAITAITIS] (formerly Lithuanian Freedom Union (Liberals))
Freedom Party or LP [Ausrine ARMONAITE]
Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats or TS-LKD [Gabrielius LANDSBERGIS]
Labor Party or DP [Andrius MAZURONIS]
Lithuanian Center Party or LCP [Naglis PUTEIKIS]
Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union or LVZS [Ramunas KARBAUSKIS]
Lithuanian Green Party or LZP [Remigijus LAPINSKAS]
Lithuanian Liberal Movement or LS or LRLS [Viktorija CMILYTE-NIELSEN]
Lithuanian List or LL [Darius KUOLYS]
Lithuanian Regions Party or LRP [Jonas PINSKUS] (formerly Lithuanian Social Democratic Labor Party or LSDDP)
Lithuanian Social Democratic Party or LSDP [Vilija BLINKEVICIUTE]
International organization participation
Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Audra PLEPYTE (since 7 July 2021)
chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860
FAX: [1] (202) 328-0466
email address and website:
info@usa.mfa.lt
https://usa.mfa.lt/usa/en/
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Robert S. GILCHRIST (since 4 February 2020)
embassy: Akmenu gatve 6, Vilnius, LT-03106
mailing address: 4510 Vilnius Place, Washington DC 20521-4510
telephone: [370] (5) 266-5500
FAX: [370] (5) 266-5510
email address and website:
consec@state.gov
https://lt.usembassy.gov/
Flag description
three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red; yellow symbolizes golden fields, as well as the sun, light, and goodness; green represents the forests of the countryside, in addition to nature, freedom, and hope; red stands for courage and the blood spilled in defense of the homeland
National symbol(s)
mounted knight known as Vytis (the Chaser), white stork; national colors: yellow, green, red
National anthem
name: "Tautiska giesme" (The National Song)
lyrics/music: Vincas KUDIRKA
note: adopted 1918, restored 1990; written in 1898 while Lithuania was a part of Russia; banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 5 (all cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Vilnius Historic Center; Curonian Spit; Kernavė Archaeological Site; Struve Geodetic Arc; Modernist Kaunas: Architecture of Optimism, 1919-1939
Economy
Economic overview
high-income, EU-member, largest Baltic economy; privatized most state-owned enterprises; unmoved youth emigration; systemic corruption; issued Europe’s first bank-backed digital coin (LBCOIN); highly educated workforce; lowest EU household debt
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$110.089 billion (2021 est.)
$103.876 billion (2020 est.)
$103.898 billion (2019 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
comparison ranking: 87
Real GDP per capita
$39,300 (2021 est.)
$37,200 (2020 est.)
$37,200 (2019 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
comparison ranking: 51
GDP (official exchange rate)
$54.597 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
4.68% (2021 est.)
1.2% (2020 est.)
2.33% (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: 73
Credit ratings
Fitch rating: A (2020)
Moody's rating: A3 (2015)
Standard & Poors rating: A+ (2020)
note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 3.5% (2017 est.)
industry: 29.4% (2017 est.)
services: 67.2% (2017 est.)
comparison rankings: agriculture 146; industry 81; services 86
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 63.9% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 16.6% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 18.8% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: -1.3% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 81.6% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -79.3% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products
wheat, milk, sugar beets, rapeseeds, barley, triticale, potatoes, oats, peas, beans
Industries
metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, televisions, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture, textiles, food processing, fertilizer, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, lasers, electronic components, computers, amber jewelry, information technology, video game development, app/software development, biotechnology
Labor force - by occupation
agriculture: 9.1%
industry: 25.2%
services: 65.8% (2015 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 19%
male: 18.5%
female: 19.6% (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total 88
Population below poverty line
20.6% (2018 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food: 21.2% of household expenditures (2018 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 5.9% of household expenditures (2018 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 2.2%
highest 10%: 28.8% (2015)
Budget
revenues: $18.636 billion (2019 est.)
expenditures: $18.491 billion (2019 est.)
Public debt
53.28% of GDP (2020 est.)
42.66% of GDP (2019 est.)
39% of GDP (2018 est.)
note: official data; data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities, debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are sold at public auctions
comparison ranking: 96
Fiscal year
calendar year
Current account balance
$756.476 million (2021 est.)
$4.165 billion (2020 est.)
$1.929 billion (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: 54
Exports
$53.397 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$41.721 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$42.323 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
comparison ranking: 59
Exports - partners
Russia 10%, Latvia 9%, Germany 8%, Poland 7%, United States 6% (2021)
Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, wooden furniture, wheat, laboratory reagents, cigarettes (2021)
Imports
$50.377 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$36.414 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$39.419 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
comparison ranking: 61
Imports - partners
Poland 12%, Germany 12%, Russia 11%, Latvia 8%, Netherlands 5% (2021)
Imports - commodities
crude petroleum, cars, electricity, packaged medicines, broadcasting equipment, natural gas (2021)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$5.58 billion (31 December 2021 est.)
$4.847 billion (31 December 2020 est.)
$5.085 billion (31 December 2019 est.)
comparison ranking: 99
Exchange rates
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
0.845 (2021 est.)
0.876 (2020 est.)
0.893 (2019 est.)
0.847 (2018 est.)
0.885 (2017 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 100% (2021)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 3.512 million kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 11.063 billion kWh (2020 est.)
exports: 4.105 billion kWh (2020 est.)
imports: 12.013 billion kWh (2020 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 951 million kWh (2020 est.)
comparison rankings: installed generating capacity 102; consumption 96; exports 40; imports 21; transmission/distribution losses 114
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 38% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 35.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 6.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
biomass and waste: 16.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Nuclear energy
Number of operational nuclear reactors: 0
Number of nuclear reactors under construction: 0
Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 0GW
Percent of total electricity production: 0%
Percent of total energy produced: 0%
Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down: 2
Coal
production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 221,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 75,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 268,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 4,000 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 68,000 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 900 bbl/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 194,900 bbl/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 12 million barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
consumption: 2.231 billion cubic meters (2019 est.)
exports: 497.923 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
imports: 2.819 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
14.503 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 693,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 9.488 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 4.322 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 96
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 290,711 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 112
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 3,726,653 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 134 (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 136
Telecommunication systems
general assessment: Lithuania’s small telecoms market is among the more advanced in Europe, particularly given the universal access to LTE infrastructure and the extensive fiber footprint; investment has been focused on fiber broadband and mobile network upgrades; SIM card penetration is relatively high for the region, with a growing proportion of subscribers being on higher-Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) contract plans; while LTE services are available nationally, operators have made steady investments in 5G; the regulator has helped the network operators to develop 5G by allowing them to repurpose spectrum in the 2.1GHz and 2.4GHz bands; the regulator in mid-2022 completed auctions of spectrum in the 700MHz and 3.4GHz bands; service obligations on the licensees include the provision of services to the five main cities by the end of 2023 (2023)
domestic: nearly 10 per 100 for fixed-line subscriptions; mobile-cellular subscriptions at 134 per 100 persons (2021)
international: country code - 370; landing points for the BCS East, BCS East-West Interlink and NordBalt connecting Lithuania to Sweden, and Latvia ; further transmission by satellite; landline connections to Latvia and Poland (2019)
Broadcast media
public broadcaster operates 3 channels with the third channel - a satellite channel - introduced in 2007; various privately owned commercial TV broadcasters operate national and multiple regional channels; many privately owned local TV stations; multi-channel cable and satellite TV services available; publicly owned broadcaster operates 3 radio networks; many privately owned commercial broadcasters, with repeater stations in various regions throughout the country
Internet users
total: 2.436 million (2021 est.)
percent of population: 87% (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total 130
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 796,814 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 29 (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: total 77
Transportation
National air transport system
number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 50
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 26,031 (2018)
Airports - with paved runways
22
note: paved runways have a concrete or asphalt surface but not all have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control; the length of a runway required for aircraft to safely operate depends on a number of factors including the type of aircraft, the takeoff weight (including passengers, cargo, and fuel), engine types, flap settings, landing speed, elevation of the airport, and average maximum daily air temperature; paved runways can reach a length of 5,000 m (16,000 ft.), but the “typical” length of a commercial airline runway is between 2,500-4,000 m (8,000-13,000 ft.)
Airports - with unpaved runways
39
note: unpaved runways have a surface composition such as grass or packed earth and are most suited to the operation of light aircraft; unpaved runways are usually short, often less than 1,000 m (3,280 ft.) in length; airports with unpaved runways often lack facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control
Pipelines
1,921 km gas, 121 km refined products (2013)
Roadways
total: 84,166 km (2012)
paved: 72,297 km (2012) (includes 312 km of expressways)
unpaved: 11,869 km (2012)
comparison ranking: total 58
Merchant marine
total: 62
by type: container ship 4, general cargo 22, oil tanker 2, other 34 (2022)
comparison ranking: total 112
Ports and terminals
major seaport(s): Klaipeda
oil terminal(s): Butinge oil terminal
LNG terminal(s) (import): Klaipeda
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Lithuanian Armed Forces (Lietuvos Ginkluotosios Pajegos): Land Forces (Sausumos Pajegos), Naval Forces (Karines Juru Pajegos), Air Forces (Karines Oro Pajegos), Special Operations Forces (Specialiuju Operaciju Pajegos); National Defense Volunteer Forces (Krašto Apsaugos Savanorių Pajegos or KASP); National Riflemen's Union (Lietuvos šaulių sąjunga) (2023)
note 1: the National Rifleman's Union is a civilian paramilitary organization supported by the Lithuanian Government that cooperates with the military but is not part of it; however, in a state of war, its armed formations would fall under the armed forces
note 2: the Lithuanian Police and State Border Guard Service are under the Ministry of Interior; in wartime, the State Border Guard Service becomes part of the armed forces
Military expenditures
2.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
2.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
2% of GDP (2021)
2.1% of GDP (2020)
2% of GDP (2019) (approximately $1.7 billion)
comparison ranking: 59
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 16,000 personnel (12,500 Army, including about 5,000 National Defense Voluntary Forces and 2,500 conscripts); 500 Navy; 1,000 Air Force; 2,000 other, including special operations forces, logistics support, training, etc) (2023)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military's inventory is a mix of Soviet-era and more modern European and US equipment; Germany and the US have been the leading suppliers in recent years (2023)
Military service age and obligation
19-26 years of age for conscripted military service for men; 9-month service obligation; in 2015, Lithuania reinstated conscription after having converted to a professional military in 2008; 18-38 for voluntary service for men and women (2023)
note 1: Lithuania conscripts up to 4,000 males each year; conscripts are selected using an automated lottery system
note 2: as of 2019, women comprised about 12% of the military's full-time personnel
Military deployments
note: contributes about 350-550 troops to the Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine joint military brigade (LITPOLUKRBRIG), which was established in 2014; the brigade is headquartered in Poland and is comprised of an international staff, three battalions, and specialized units; units affiliated with the multinational brigade remain within the structures of the armed forces of their respective countries until the brigade is activated for participation in an international operation
Military - note
the Lithuanian Armed Forces are responsible for the defense of the country’s interests, sovereignty, and territory, fulfilling Lithuania’s commitments to NATO and European security, and contributing to UN international peacekeeping efforts; Russia is Lithuania’s primary security focus, which has only increased since the Russian seizure of Crimea in 2014 and subsequent full-scale attack on Ukraine in 2022; Lithuania has been a member of NATO since 2004 and is reliant on the Alliance as the country’s security guarantor; it is actively engaged in both NATO and EU security, as well as bilaterally with allies such as the other Baltic States, Poland, the UK, Ukraine, and the US; the Lithuanian military has participated in NATO and EU missions abroad and regularly conducts training and exercises with NATO and EU partner forces; it hosts NATO forces, is a member of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, and contributes troops to a multinational brigade with Poland and Ukraine; Lithuania participated in its first UN peacekeeping mission in 1994
the Land Forces form the backbone of the country’s defense force; the active Land Forces comprise a mechanized infantry brigade and a motorized infantry brigade; they are supplemented by the part-time National Defense Volunteer Forces, which are organized into six district-based territorial units; since 2017, Lithuania has hosted a German-led multinational NATO ground force battlegroup as part of the Alliance’s Enhanced Forward Presence initiative
Lithuania has no combat aircraft but has a ground air defense unit, and NATO has provided air protection for Lithuania since 2004 through its Air Policing mission; NATO member countries that possess air combat capabilities voluntarily contribute to the mission on four-month rotations; NATO fighter aircraft are hosted at Lithuania’s Šiauliai Air Base; Lithuania’s Naval Forces have small patrol vessel and mine warfare squadrons; the Special Operations Forces have air, ground, and naval units for missions such as counterterrorism, direct action, hostage rescue, military assistance, and reconnaissance (2023)
Space
Space agency/agencies
Lithuanian Space Office (established 2019; operates under the Agency for Science, Innovation and Technology and focuses on developing links between Lithuanian space business, science, and public sectors, as well as the international space community); Lithuanian Space Association (established 2009; is an association of public and state-funded scientific and technology research institutes and private businesses behind much of Lithuania’s space program, including satellite development and ties to international space programs) (2023)
Space program overview
has a small but growing space program; operates satellites; manufactures small satellites; conducts research and development of other space-related capabilities, including in propulsion system components, infrared-based technologies, remote sensing applications, opto-electronics, and radio frequency systems, as well as those related to astronomy (has one of the oldest observatories in Europe located in Vilnius) and space applications for life and physical sciences; participates in international space programs; associate member of the European Space Agency (ESA); has cooperated with space agencies and industries of China, India, Russia, Ukraine, and the US, as well as individual ESA/EU member states; has a small commercial space sector that participates in space supply chains and small satellite production (2023)
note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in Appendix S
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
Lithuania-Belarus: as of January 2007, ground demarcation of the boundary with Belarus was complete and mapped with final ratification documents in preparation
Lithuania-Lativa: boundary demarcated with Latvia was completed in 1998
Lithuania-Russia: Lithuania and Russia committed to demarcating their boundary in 2006 in accordance with the land and maritime treaty ratified by Russia in May 2003 and by Lithuania in 1999; Lithuania operates a simplified transit regime for Russian nationals traveling from the Kaliningrad coastal exclave into Russia, while still conforming, as a EU member state having an external border with a non-EU member, to strict Schengen border rules; in January 2018, demarcation of the Lithuania-Russia border was completed
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin): 49,970 (Ukraine) (as of 7 September 2023)
stateless persons: 2,720 (2022)
Illicit drugs
source country for amphetamine tablets