Lithuania

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Lithuanian lands were united under MINDAUGAS in 1236; over the next century, Lithuania extended its territory through alliances and conquest 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 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 surrounding countries partitioned its remnants. Lithuania regained its independence after World War I, but the USSR annexed it in 1940 -- an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. In 1990, Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence, but Moscow did not recognize this proclamation until 1991. 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 2004. In 2015, Lithuania joined the euro zone, and it joined the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in 2018.

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Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia, west of Belarus

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56 00 N, 24 00 E

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Europe

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slightly larger than West Virginia

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90 km

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transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers

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lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil

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peat, arable land, amber

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61 sq km (2020)

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fairly even population distribution throughout the country, but somewhat greater concentrations in the southern cities of Vilnius and Kaunas, as well as the western port of Klaipeda

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occasional floods, droughts

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fertile central plains are separated by hilly uplands that are ancient glacial deposits

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Lithuanian 84.6%, Polish 6.5%, Russian 5%, Belarusian 1%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.8% (2021 est.)

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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.)

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-0.71% (2025 est.)

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7.01 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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14.1 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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fairly even population distribution throughout the country, but somewhat greater concentrations in the southern cities of Vilnius and Kaunas, as well as the western port of Klaipeda

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541,000 VILNIUS (capital) (2023)

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28.2 years (2020 est.)

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8 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

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1.22 children born/woman (2025 est.)

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0.6 (2025 est.)

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6.1 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

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6 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)

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26.3% (2016)

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1.1% (2021 est.)

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51.8% (2024 est.)

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water pollution; air pollution; deforestation; groundwater pollution from chemicals and waste; soil degradation and erosion

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transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers

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11.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

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24.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

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semi-presidential republic

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60 municipalities (<em>savivaldybe</em>, singular - <em>savivaldybe</em>); 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

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civil law system; legislative acts can be appealed to the Constitutional Court

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accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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18 years of age; universal

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Center-Right Union or CDS<br>Dawn of Nemunas or PPNA<br>Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania - Christian Families Alliance or LLRA–KŠS<br>Homeland Union or TS-LKD<br>Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union or LVŽS<br>Liberals' Movement or LRLS<br>National Alliance or NS<br>Social Democratic Party of Lithuania or LSDP<br>Union of Democrats for Lithuania or DSVL

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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

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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)

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Independence Day (or National Day), 16 February (1918)

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<strong>note:</strong> 16 February 1918 was the date Lithuania established its statehood and independence from Soviet Russia and Germany; 11 March 1990 was the date it declared the restoration of statehood and independence from the Soviet Union

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<strong>description:</strong> three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red<br><br><strong>meaning:</strong> yellow stands for golden fields, the sun, light, and goodness; green for the forests, nature, freedom, and hope; red for courage and the blood spilled in defense of the homeland

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mounted knight known as Vytis (the Chaser), white stork

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yellow, green, red

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<p>high-income EU and eurozone member, largest Baltic economy; recovery supported by private consumption and EU fund-driven investments; structural challenges include pension reform, aging workforce, and high energy-import costs</p>

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<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

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<b>note:</b> annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

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<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

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$84.869 billion (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate

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<b>note:</b> annual % change based on consumer prices

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<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

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<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

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wheat, milk, sugar beets, rapeseed, barley, potatoes, triticale, oats, beans, peas (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

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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

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3.2% (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

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1.548 million (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

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<b>note:</b> % of labor force seeking employment

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<b>note:</b> % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

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20.9% (2021 est.)

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<b>note:</b> % of population with income below national poverty line

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<b>note:</b> index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

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<b>note:</b> % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

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<b>note:</b> personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

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<b>note:</b> central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

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<b>note:</b> central government debt as a % of GDP

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21.4% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

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<b>note:</b> central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

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<b>note:</b> balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

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<b>note:</b> balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

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Latvia 11%, Poland 8%, Germany 7%, Netherlands 6%, Russia 6% (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

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refined petroleum, furniture, plastic products, wheat, cars (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five export commodities based on value in dollars

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<b>note:</b> balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

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Germany 13%, Poland 13%, Latvia 8%, USA 7%, Norway 5% (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

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crude petroleum, cars, natural gas, packaged medicine, plastic products (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five import commodities based on value in dollars

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<b>note:</b> holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

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public broadcaster operates 3 channels, with the third channel (satellite) 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&nbsp;

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.lt

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LY

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64 (2025)

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2 (2025)

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Lithuanian Armed Forces (Lietuvos Ginkluotosios Pajegos): Lithuanian Land Forces (LLF), Lithuanian Navy, Lithuanian Air Force (LTAF), Lithuanian Special Operations Forces (LITHSOF); National Defense Volunteer Forces (2025)

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<strong>note 1: </strong>the National Rifleman's Union is a civilian paramilitary organization supported by the Lithuanian Government, which 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<br><br><strong>note 2:</strong> 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

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approximately 20,000 active-duty military personnel (2025)

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the military's inventory is a mix of mostly European and US armaments (2025)

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19-26 years of age for conscripted military service for men; 9-month service obligation;  18-38 for voluntary service for men and women; 18-60 for the National Defense Volunteer Services (2025)

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<strong>note 1:</strong> in 2015, Lithuania reinstated conscription after having converted to a professional military in 2008; it conscripts up to 4,000 men each year; conscripts are selected using an automated lottery system<br><br><strong>note 2:</strong> as of 2020, women comprised about 12% of the military's full-time personnel

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<strong>note: </strong>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

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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, Germany, 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<br><br>since 2017, Lithuania has hosted a German-led multinational NATO ground force battlegroup as part of the Alliance’s Enhanced Forward Presence initiative; NATO has also provided air protection for Lithuania since 2004 through its Baltic Air Policing mission; NATO fighter aircraft are hosted at Lithuania’s Šiauliai Air Base (2025)