Lithuania
Republic of LithuaniaLietuvos Respublika
semi-presidential republic
Lithuania as the 2025 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 146 fields, one of 34 editions from 1992 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
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.
Geography
Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia, west of Belarus
18 fieldsLand useshare of 65,300 sq km
Population distribution
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
Geography - note
fertile central plains are separated by hilly uplands that are ancient glacial deposits
People and Society
35 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2024 est.)
Per 1,000 population(2025 est.)
Male · female(2022 est.)
Ethnic groups(2021 est.)
Religions(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.
Population distribution
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
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:
- 0.53 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 0.86 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
- total:
- 2.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
- male:
- 4 deaths/1,000 live births
- female:
- 3.1 deaths/1,000 live births
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.)
Environment
10 fieldsLand use(2023 est.)
Environmental issues
- water pollution;
- air pollution;
- deforestation;
- groundwater pollution from chemicals and waste;
- soil degradation and erosion
International environmental 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
Urbanization
- urban population:
- 68.7% of total population (2023)
- rate of urbanization:
- -0.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
12.877 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- from coal and metallurgical coke:
- 380,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- from petroleum and other liquids:
- 9.61 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- from consumed natural gas:
- 2.887 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Waste and recycling
- municipal solid waste generated annually:
- 1.315 million tons (2024 est.)
- percent of municipal solid waste recycled:
- 34.9% (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal
- municipal:
- 136.78 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
- industrial:
- 87.96 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
- agricultural:
- 58.74 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Government
Semi-presidential republic; President Gitanas NAUSEDA (since 12 July 2019); Prime Minister Inga RUGINIENE (since 25 September 2025)
23 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
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 is obscure; may be derived from the local words lietava , meaning "small river," or lietus , meaning "rain" or "land of rain," or the Latin word litus , meaning "shore"
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; the river name is said to derive from the Lithuanian word vilnis , meaning "wave"
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
Constitution
- history:
- several previous; latest adopted by referendum 25 October 1992, entered into force 2 November 1992
- amendment process:
- 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
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
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- President Gitanas NAUSEDA (since 12 July 2019)
- head of government:
- Prime Minister Inga RUGINIENE (since 25 September 2025)
- cabinet:
- Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the president, approved by Parliament
- election/appointment process:
- president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term);
- prime minister appointed by the president, approved by Parliament
- most recent election date:
- 26 May 2024
- election results:
- 2024: Gitanas NAUSEDA elected president in second round; percent of vote -Gitanas NAUSEDA (independent) 75.6%, Ingrida SIMONYTE (TS-LKD) 24.4%; 2019: Gitanas NAUSEDA elected president in second round; percent of vote - Gitanas NAUSEDA (independent) 66.7%, Ingrida SIMONYTE (independent) 33.3%
- expected date of next election:
- 2029
Legislative branch
- legislature name:
- Parliament (Seimas)
- legislative structure:
- unicameral
- number of seats:
- 141 (all directly elected)
- electoral system:
- mixed system
- scope of elections:
- full renewal
- term in office:
- 4 years
- most recent election date:
- 10/13/2024 to 10/27/2024
- parties elected and seats per party:
- Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) (52);
- Homeland Union - Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) (28);
- Political Party "The Dawn of Nemunas" (PPNA) (20);
- Union of Democrats “For Lithuania” (DSVL) (14);
- Liberals Movement of the Republic of Lithuania (LS) (12);
- Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LVŽS) (8);
- Other (7)
- percentage of women in chamber:
- 28.4%
- expected date of next election:
- October 2028
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 speaker, 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
- Center-Right Union or CDS
- Dawn of Nemunas or PPNA
- Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania - Christian Families Alliance or LLRA–KŠS
- Homeland Union or TS-LKD
- Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union or LVŽS
- Liberals' Movement or LRLS
- National Alliance or NS
- Social Democratic Party of Lithuania or LSDP
- Union of Democrats for Lithuania or DSVL
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Gediminas VARVUOLIS (since 5 September 2025)
- chancery:
- 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
- telephone:
- [1] (202) 234-5860
- FAX:
- [1] (202) 328-0466
- email address and website:
- [email protected]; https://usa.mfa.lt/usa/en/
- consulate(s) general:
- Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Kara C. McDONALD (since 26 January 2024)
- 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:
- [email protected]; https://lt.usembassy.gov/
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
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 independence from Soviet Russia and Germany; 11 March 1990 was the date it declared the restoration of statehood and independence from the Soviet Union
Flag
- description:
- three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red
- meaning:
- 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
National anthem(s)
- title:
- "Tautiska giesme" (The National Song)
- lyrics/music:
- Vincas KUDIRKA
- history:
- adopted 1918, restored 1990;
- written in 1898 when Lithuania was 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
31 fieldsTrading partnersexports left, imports right
By end use% of GDP · (2023 est.)
Budget(2023 est.)
Economic overview
- 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
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- agriculture:
- 2.6% (2024 est.)
- industry:
- 23.4% (2024 est.)
- services:
- 63.6% (2024 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Agricultural products
wheat, milk, sugar beets, rapeseed, barley, potatoes, triticale, oats, beans, peas (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
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
1.548 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Unemployment rate
7.6% (2024 est.) · 6.9% (2023 est.) · 6% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
- total:
- 14.1% (2024 est.)
- male:
- 16.3% (2024 est.)
- female:
- 11.7% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Population below poverty line
20.9% (2021 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
36.6 (2022 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Average household expenditures
- on food:
- 19.4% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
- on alcohol and tobacco:
- 5.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Remittances
1.2% of GDP (2024 est.) · 1.2% of GDP (2023 est.) · 1% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Taxes and other revenues
21.4% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Current account balance
$2.101 billion (2024 est.) · $878.388 million (2023 est.) · -$4.322 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Exports
$62.896 billion (2024 est.) · $61.02 billion (2023 est.) · $61.448 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, furniture, plastic products, wheat, cars (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$58.491 billion (2024 est.) · $57.899 billion (2023 est.) · $62.916 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - commodities
crude petroleum, cars, natural gas, packaged medicine, plastic products (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$7.406 billion (2024 est.) · $6.168 billion (2023 est.) · $5.365 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Exchange rates
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.924 (2024 est.) · 0.925 (2023 est.) · 0.95 (2022 est.) · 0.845 (2021 est.) · 0.876 (2020 est.)
Energy
8 fieldsElectrification% of population · (2022 est.)
Installed generating capacity, 5.426 million kW(2023 est.)
Coal
- consumption:
- 166,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
- exports:
- 78,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
- imports:
- 149,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
- total petroleum production:
- 4,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
- refined petroleum consumption:
- 67,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)
- crude oil estimated reserves:
- 12 million barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
- consumption:
- 1.49 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
- exports:
- 1.867 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
- imports:
- 3.282 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Communications
6 fieldsPer 100 inhabitants(2023–24 est.)
Broadcast media
- 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
Transportation
6 fieldsMerchant marine, 59 ships by typeone square, one ship · (2023)
Ports
- total ports:
- 2 (2024)
- large:
- 0
- medium:
- 1
- small:
- 0
- very small:
- 1
- ports with oil terminals:
- 2
- key ports:
- Butinge Oil Terminal, Klaipeda
Military and Security
7 fieldsPersonnel strengthsone square, 100 people · (2025)
Military and security forces
- Lithuanian Armed Forces (Lietuvos Ginkluotosios Pajegos): ;
- National Defense Volunteer Forces (2025)
note 1: 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
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 equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military's inventory is a mix of mostly European and US armaments (2025)
Military service age and obligation
- 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)
note 1: 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
note 2: as of 2020, 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, 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
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)
Transnational Issues
1 fieldRefugees and internally displaced persons
- refugees:
- 53,859 (2024 est.)
- stateless persons:
- 2,236 (2024 est.)
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Lithuania.” The World Factbook 2025. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/lithuania.