Lithuania

Republic of LithuaniaLietuvos Respublika

republicIndependence 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Lithuania as the 1996 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 88 fields, one of 34 editions from 1992 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalVilnius

Position56 00 N, 24 00 E

Area65,200 sq km

LocationEastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia

Populationas each edition published it

3.65 million July 1996 est. · 3.79m in 1992

Population growth% a year

-0.35% 1996 est. · 0.76% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 36.6 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

68.03 years 1996 est. · 71.12 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

1.78 children per woman 1996 est. · 2.1 in 1992

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

17 deaths per 1,000 live births 1996 est. · 18 in 1992

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$3,400 1995 est. · $3,240 in 1994

GDP real growth% a year

1% 1995 est. · -30% in 1993

Geography

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia | and Russia

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Land useshare of 65,200 sq km

arable land 49%permanent crops 0%meadows and pastures 22%forest and woodland 16%other 13%irrigated 430 sq km (1990)

Area

65,200sq km

land area: 65,200 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than West Virginia

Coastline

108km

territorial sea: 12 nm

Land boundaries

1,273km

border countries: Belarus 502 km, Latvia 453 km, Poland 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km

Location

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia

International disputes

dispute with Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) over the position of the Nemunas (Nemen) River border presently located on the Lithuanian bank and not in midriver as by international standards;
disputes maritime border with Latvia (primary concern is oil exploration rights);
treaty with Belarus defining the border awaits ratification

Climate

maritime; wet, moderate winters and summers

Terrain

lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil

lowest point:: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point:: Juozapine Kalnas 292 m

Environment

current issues:: contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases
natural hazards:: NA
international agreements:: party to - Climate Change, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Ozone Layer Protection

People

15 fields

Population

3,646,041

(July 1996 est.)growth rate: -0.35% (1996 est.)

Per 1,000 population(1996 est.)

Birth

12.93Death

13.33Net migration

-3.09

Male · female(1996 est.)

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years68.03

62.15 · 74.21

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy98%

99% · 98%

MaleFemaleLiteracy age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)

Ethnic divisions

Lithuanian 80.1%Russian 8.6%Polish 7.7%Byelorussian 1.5%other 2.1%

Age structure

0-14 years:: 22% (male 400,823; female 384,592)
15-64 years:: 66% (male 1,162,626; female 1,244,103)
65 years and over:: 12% (male 154,862; female 299,035) (July 1996 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years:: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over:: 0.52 male(s)/female
all ages:: 0.89 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Nationality

noun:: Lithuanian(s)
adjective:: Lithuanian

Government

Republic; President Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS (since 25 November 1992; Premier Mindaugas STANKEVICIUS (since 15 February 1996) was appointed by the president on approval of the Seimas

22 fields

Legislature, 141 seatsone dot, one seat

LDDP 73Conservative Party 30LKDP 17LTS 8Farmers' Union 4LLS 4Center Union 2others 3

Name of country

conventional long form:: Republic of Lithuania
conventional short form:: Lithuania
local long form:: Lietuvos Respublika
local short form:: Lietuva
former:: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic

44 regions (rajonai, singular - rajonas) and 11 municipalities*: Akmenes Rajonas, Alytaus Rajonas, Alytus*, Anyksciu Rajonas, Birsionas*, Birzu Rajonas, Druskininkai*, Ignalinos Rajonas, Jonavos Rajonas, Joniskio Rajonas, Jurbarko Rajonas, Kaisiadoriu Rajonas, Marijampoles Rajonas, Kaunas*, Kauno Rajonas, Kedainiu Rajonas, Kelmes Rajonas, Klaipeda*, Klaipedos Rajonas, Kretingos Rajonas, Kupiskio Rajonas, Lazdiju Rajonas, Marijampole*, Mazeikiu Rajonas, Moletu Rajonas, Neringa* Pakruojo Rajonas, Palanga*, Panevezio Rajonas, Panevezys*, Pasvalio Rajonas, Plunges Rajonas, Prienu Rajonas, Radviliskio Rajonas, Raseiniu Rajonas, Rokiskio Rajonas, Sakiu Rajonas, Salcininky Rajonas, Siauliai*, Siauliu Rajonas, Silales Rajonas, Siltues Rajonas, Sirvinty Rajonas, Skuodo Rajonas, Svencioniu Rajonas, Taurages Rajonas, Telsiu Rajonas, Traky Rajonas, Ukmerges Rajonas, Utenos Rajonas, Varenos Rajonas, Vilkaviskio Rajonas, Vilniaus Rajonas, Vilnius*, Zarasu Rajonas

Independence

6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday

Independence Day, 16 February (1918)

Constitution

adopted 25 October 1992

Legal system

based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:: President Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS (since 25 November 1992; elected acting president by Parliament 25 November 1992 and elected by direct vote 15 February 1993) was elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage;
election last held 14 February 1993 (next to be held spring 1997);
results - Algirdas BRAZAUSKAS was elected;
percent of vote NA
head of government:: Premier Mindaugas STANKEVICIUS (since 15 February 1996) was appointed by the president on approval of the Seimas
cabinet:: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister

Legislative branch

unicameral

Seimas (parliament)

elections last held 26 October and 25 November 1992 (next to be held NA October 1996);
results - LDDP 51%;
seats - (141 total) LDDP 73, Conservative Party 30, LKDP 17, LTS 8, Farmers' Union 4, LLS 4, Center Union 2, others 3

Judicial branch

Supreme Court, judges appointed by the Seimas; Court of Appeal, judges appointed by the Seimas

Political parties and leaders

Christian Democratic Party (LKDP), Algirdas SAUDARGAS, chairman;
Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania (LDDP), Mindaugas STANKEVICIUS , chairman;
Lithuanian Nationalist Union (LTS), Rimantas SMETONA, chairman;
Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP), Aloyzas SAKALAS, chairman;
Farmers' Union, Jonas CIULEVICIUS, chairman;
Center Union, Romualdas OZOLAS, chairman;
Homeland Union/Conservative Party, Vytautas LANDSBERGIS, chairman;
Lithuanian Polish Union (LLS), Rytardas MACIEKIANIEC, chairman

Other political or pressure groups

Lithuanian Future Forum

International organization participation

BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NACC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in US

chief of mission:: Ambassador Alfonsas EIDINTAS
chancery:: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:: [1] (202) 234-5860, 2639

FAX

[1] (202) 328-0466; consulate(s) general: New York

US diplomatic representation

chief of mission:: Ambassador James W. SWIHART, Jr.
embassy:: Akmenu 6, Vilnius 2600
mailing address:: PSC 78, Box V, APO AE 09723
telephone:: [78] (8) 973-0000, 227-224

FAX

[78] (8) 670-6084

Flag

three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red

Economy

Since declaring independence in 1990, Lithuania | has implemented reforms aimed at eliminating the vestiges of the | former socialist system.

21 fields

GDP per capita, PPP

$3,400

(1995 est.)

Real growth rate

(1995 est.)industrial production growth: NA%

Inflation, consumer prices

35%

(1995 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.1%

(January 1996)

GDP composition by sector(1993 est.)

agriculture 20%industry 42%services 38% (1993 est.)

Installed generating capacity, 6,190,000 kW

Electricity production

18.9 billionElectricity consumption per capita

4,608 (1993)

Economic overview

Since declaring independence in 1990, Lithuania has implemented reforms aimed at eliminating the vestiges of the former socialist system. With the help of the IMF and other international institutions, the government has adopted a disciplined program to restrain inflation, reduce price controls, lower the budget deficit and privatize the economy.

Lithuania has embarked on a series of price liberalizations; most price controls have been abolished. More than two-thirds of its industrial facilities as well as most housing and agricultural enterprises have been privatized, although important "strategic" enterprises have been exempted from privatization - namely energy and telecommunications.

While Lithuania has reduced its trade dependence on Russia and other republics of the FSU from 85% in 1991 to about 40% in 1995, Russia remains Lithuania's leading trading partner. Lithuania has made great strides in reducing its annual rate of inflation - from over 1,100% in 1992 to about 35% in 1995.

Production bottomed out in 1994-95. A banking crisis beginning in September, during which central bank reserves dropped one-third, held back growth in 1995. If the government can stay the course on economic reform and fiscal discipline - which may be politically difficult in the election year of 1996 - Lithuania could be set for strong economic growth in the near term.

As for real resources, Lithuania's growth depends largely on its ability to exploit its strategic location - with its ice-free port at Klaipeda and its rail and highway hub in Vilnius connecting it with Eastern Europe, Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. Lacking important natural resources, it will remain dependent on imports of fuels and raw materials.

GDP

purchasing power parity - $13.3 billion (1995 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)

Labor force

1.836 million; by occupation: industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 18%, other 40% (1990)

Budget

revenues:: $NA
expenditures:: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA

Industries

metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, amber

Agriculture

grain, potatoes, sugar beets, vegetables;
meat, milk, eggs;
fish

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asia and Latin America to Western Europe;
limited producer of illicit opium;
mostly for domestic consumption

Exports

$2.2 billion (1994)

commodities:: electronics 18%, food 10%, chemicals 6%, petroleum products 5% (1989)
partners:: Russia, Ukraine, Germany

Imports

$2.7 billion (1994)

commodities:: oil 24%, machinery 14%, chemicals 8%, grain NA% (1989)
partners:: Russia, Germany, Belarus

External debt

$895 million

Economic aid

recipient: ODA, $144 million (1993) note: commitments from the West and international financial institutions, $765 million (1992-95)

Currency

introduced the convertible litas in June 1993

Exchange rates

litai per US$1 - 4.000 (January 1996), 4.000 (1995), 3.978 (1994), 4.344 (1993), 1.773 (1992); note - fixed rate since 1 May 1994

Fiscal year

calendar year

Transportation

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Airports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right · 96 in all

over 3 047 m

2 438 to 3 047 m

1 524 to 2 437 m

914 to 1 523 m

under 914 m

PavedUnpaved

Networkskm

Highways

55,603Railways

2,002Waterways

600

Highways: paved: 42,209 km (including 382 km of expressways) · unpaved: 13,394 km (1994) · Railways: broad gauge: 2,002 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified) (1994)

Railways

total:: 2,002 km
broad gauge:: 2,002 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified) (1994)

Highways

total:: 55,603 km
paved:: 42,209 km (including 382 km of expressways)
unpaved:: 13,394 km (1994)

Pipelines

crude oil, 105 km; natural gas 760 km (1992)

Ports

Kaunas, Klaipeda

Merchant marine

total:: 43 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 264,639 GRT/303,649 DWT
ships by type:: cargo 26, combination bulk 11, oil tanker 2, railcar carrier 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 2 (1995 est.)

Communications

Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force, Security | Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard (Skat)

9 fields

Fixed lines

900,000

Telephone system

telecommunications system ranks among the most modern of the former Soviet republics

domestic:: an NMT-450 analog cellular telephone network operates in Vilnius and other cities; landlines and microwave radio relay connect switching centers
international:: international connections no longer depend on the Moscow international gateway switch, but are established by satellite through Oslo from Vilnius and through Copenhagen from Kaunas;
satellite earth stations - 1 Eutelsat and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean);
cellular network linked internationally through Copenhagen by Eutelsat;
international electronic mail is available;
landlines or microwave radio relay to former Soviet republics

males age 15-49:: 903,437
males fit for military service:: 712,875
males reach military age (18) annually:: 26,162 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures

exchange rate conversion - $31.7 million, 1% of GDP (1995)

Central Intelligence Agency. “Lithuania.” The World Factbook 1996. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/lithuania/1996.

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