Introduction
Background
Lithuanian lands were united in 1236. Over the next century, 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. The USSR annexed Lithuania in 1940. In 1990, Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence.
Geography
Area
total : 65,300 sq km
land: 62,680 sq km
water: 2,620 sq km
Climate
transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers
Natural resources
peat, arable land, amber
People and Society
Population
total: 2,628,186
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.)
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.)
Population growth rate
-1.05% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
semi-presidential republic
Capital
name: Vilnius
Executive branch
chief of state: President Gitanas NAUSEDA (since 12 July 2019)
head of government: Prime Minister Ingrida SIMONYTE (since 24 November 2020)
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)
Economy
Economic overview
high-income EU and eurozone member, largest Baltic economy; growth stalled due to Ukraine war impact on energy, exports, and fiscal spending for defense and refugee support; rebound supported by EU fund-driven investments and reduced inflation; structural challenges include pension reform, labor market inefficiencies, health care, and education spending
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$132.712 billion (2023 est.)
$133.159 billion (2022 est.)
$129.987 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$46,200 (2023 est.)
$47,000 (2022 est.)
$46,400 (2021 est.)
Agricultural products
wheat, milk, rapeseed, sugar beets, barley, potatoes, beans, triticale, oats, peas (2022)
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
Exports
$61.101 billion (2023 est.)
$61.444 billion (2022 est.)
$53.397 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
Latvia 13%, Poland 8%, Germany 8%, Russia 6%, US 6% (2022)
Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, furniture, plastic products, natural gas, wheat (2022)
Imports
$58.104 billion (2023 est.)
$62.853 billion (2022 est.)
$50.377 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
Poland 12%, Germany 11%, Latvia 8%, US 6%, Russia 5% (2022)
Imports - commodities
crude petroleum, natural gas, electricity, cars, plastic products (2022)
Exchange rates
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Page last updated: Wednesday, July 24, 2024
