Lithuania

Republic of LithuaniaLietuvos Respublika

parliamentary democracyIndependence 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Lithuania as the 1998 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 99 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 and
1998

Every edition of Lithuania

Populationas each edition published it
3.6 million July 1998 est. · 3.79m in 1992
Population growth% a year
-0.45% 1998 est. · 0.76% in 1993
Median ageyears
Not in this edition 36.6 yrs in 2003
Life expectancyyears at birth
68.83 years 1998 est. · 71.12 yrs in 1993
Fertility ratechildren per woman
1.46 children per woman 1998 est. · 2.1 in 1992
Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births
14.75 deaths per 1,000 live births 1998 est. · 18 in 1992
GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars
$4,230 1997 est. · $3,240 in 1994
GDP real growth% a year
6% 1997 est. · -30% in 1993

Geography

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

17 fields

Land useshare of 65,200 sq km

arable land 35%permanent crops 12%permanent pastures 7%forests and woodland 31%other 15% (1993 est.)irrigated 430 sq km (1993 est.)
Area
65,200sq km
land: 65,200 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmslightly larger than West Virginia
Coastline
99km
territorial sea: 12 nm
Highest point
292m
Juozapines/Kalnaslowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
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

Geographic coordinates

56 00 N, 24 00 E

Climate

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

Terrain

lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil

Environment-current issues

contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases

Environment-international agreements

party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements

People

15 fields
Population
3,600,158
(July 1998 est.)growth rate: -0.45% (1998 est.)

Per 1,000 population(1998 est.)

Birth
10.57Death
12.94Net migration
-2.09

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (1998 est.)68.83
62.76 · 75.21
TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (1989 est.)98%
99% · 98%
MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Ethnic groups

Lithuanian 80.6%Russian 8.7%Polish 7%Byelorussian 1.6%other 2.1%

Age structure

0-14 years:
20% (male 376,034; female 360,446)
15-64 years:
67% (male 1,155,733; female 1,238,671)
65 years and over:
13% (male 159,526; female 309,748) (July 1998 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.52 male(s)/female (1998 est.)

Infant mortality rate

14.75 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.46 children born/woman (1998 est.)

Nationality

noun:
Lithuanian(s)
adjective:
Lithuanian

Religions

primarily Roman Catholic, others include Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Protestant, evangelical Christian Baptist, Islam, Judaism

Languages

Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian

Government

Parliamentary democracy; President Valdes ADAMKUS (since 26 February 1998); Premier Gediminas VAGNORIUS (since 28 November 1996)

21 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

50.37%
Valdas ADAMKUS 50.37%Arturas PAULAUSKAS 49.7%election last held 21 December 1997 and 5 January 1998 (next to be held NA 2003)

Parliament or Seimas, 141 seats, elected 20 October and 10 November 1996one dot, one seat

TS 69LKDP 15LCS 15LDDP 12LSDP 10DP 2independents 12others 6

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

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Administrative divisions

44 regions (rajonai, singular-rajonas) and 11 municipalities*: Akmenes Rajonas, Alytaus Rajonas, Alytus*, Anyksciu Rajonas, Birstonas*, Birzu Rajonas, Druskininkai*, Ignalinos Rajonas, Jonavos Rajonas, Joniskio Rajonas, Jurbarko Rajonas, Kaisiadoriu Rajonas, Kaunas*, Kauno Rajonas, Kedainiu Rajonas, Kelmes Rajonas, Klaipeda*, Klaipedos Rajonas, Kretingos Rajonas, Kupiskio Rajonas, Lazdiju Rajonas, Marijampole*, Marijampoles Rajonas, 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, Salcininku Rajonas, Siauliai*, Siauliu Rajonas, Silales Rajonas, Silutes Rajonas, Sirvintu Rajonas, Skuodo Rajonas, Svencioniu Rajonas, Taurages Rajonas, Telsiu Rajonas, Traku Rajonas, Ukmerges Rajonas, Utenos Rajonas, Varenos Rajonas, Vilkaviskio Rajonas, Vilniaus Rajonas, Vilnius*, Zarasu Rajonas

Independence

6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday

Statehood Day, 16 February (1918)

Constitution

adopted 25 October 1992

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:
President Valdes ADAMKUS (since 26 February 1998)
head of government:
Premier Gediminas VAGNORIUS (since 28 November 1996)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the premier
elections:
  • president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
  • election last held 21 December 1997 and 5 January 1998 (next to be held NA 2003);
  • premier appointed by the president on the approval of the Parliament
election results:
Valdas ADAMKUS elected president; percent of vote-Valdas ADAMKUS 50.37%, Arturas PAULAUSKAS 49.7%

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats, 71 members are directly elected by popular vote, 70 are elected by proportional representation; members serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 20 October and 10 November 1996 (next to be held NA October 2000)
election results:
percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-TS 69, LKDP 15, LCS 15, LDDP 12, LSDP 10, DP 2, independents 12, others 6

Judicial branch

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

Political parties and leaders

  • Christian Democratic Party or LKDP [Algirdas SAUDARGAS, chairman];
  • Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania or LDDP [Ceslovas JURSENAS, chairman];
  • Lithuanian Nationalist Union or LTS [Rimantas SMETONA, chairman];
  • Lithuanian Social Democratic Party or LSDP [Aloyzas SAKALAS, chairman];
  • Lithuanian Farmer's Party or LUP (previously Farmers' Union) [Albinas VAIZMUZIS, chairman];
  • Lithuanian Center Union or LCS [Romualdas OZOLAS, chairman];
  • Homeland Union/Conservative Party or TS [Vytautas LANDSBERGIS, chairman];
  • Lithuanian Polish Union or LLS [Rsztardas MACIEKIANIEC, chairman];
  • Democratic Party or DP [Lydie WURTH-POLFER, president]

International organization participation

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Stasys SAKALAUSKAS (appointed 30 September 1997)
chancery:
2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
[1] (202) 234-5860

FAX

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Keith C. SMITH
embassy:
Akmenu 6, Vilnius 2600
mailing address:
American Embassy, Vilnius, PSC 78, Box V, APO AE 09723
telephone:
[370] (2) 223-031, 227-224

FAX

[370] 670-6084

Flag description

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

Economy

28 fields
GDP, purchasing power parity
-$15.4billion
purchasing power parity · (1997 est.)
GDP per capita, PPP
-$4,230
purchasing power parity · (1997 est.)
Real growth rate
6%
(1997 est.)industrial production growth: 3.7% (1996)

GDP-composition by sector(1995 est.)

agriculture 9%industry 28%services 63% (1995 est.)

Budget

Revenues
$1.5 billionExpenditures
$1.7 billion (1997 est.)
expenditures including capital expenditures of $NA
Fixed lines
1.012 million
(1995)

Economy-overview

Lithuania has benefited from its disciplined approach to market reform and its adherence to strict fiscal and monetary policies imposed by the IMF, measures that have helped constrain the growth of the money supply, reduce inflation to 8.6%, and support GDP growth of 6% in 1997. Inflation is expected to fall in 1998 to 6% and GDP to grow at close to 7%. Foreign direct investment in 1997 of some $430 million pushed the country over the $1 billion mark, the first Baltic state to reach this milestone.

However, the current account deficit has hovered around 8% to 10% of GDP annually since 1995-the result of greater demand for consumer goods and falling growth in exports.

Labor force

total:
1.8 million
by occupation:
industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 20%, other 38% (1997)

Unemployment rate

6.7% (January 1998)

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

Electricity-capacity

5.463 million kW (1995)

Electricity-production

14.33 billion kWh (1997 est.)

Agriculture-products

  • grain, potatoes, sugar beets, vegetables;
  • meat, milk, eggs;
  • fish;
  • flax fiber

Exports

total value:
$3.3 billion (1996)
commodities:
agricultural products 16.9%, mineral products 15.7%, textiles 15.2%, machinery 11.4%, live animals 7.7% (1996)
partners:
Russia, Germany, Belarus, Latvia, Ukraine (1996)

Imports

total value:
$4.4 billion (1996)
commodities:
mineral production 20%, machinery 16%, transport equipment 10%, chemicals 10%, textiles 8%, foodstuff 6% (1996)
partners:
Russia, Germany, Poland, Italy, Denmark (1996)

Debt-external

$895 million

Economic aid

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

Currency

1 Lithuanian litas = 100 centas

Exchange rates

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

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications

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

Radio broadcast stations

AM 13, FM 26, shortwave 1, longwave 1

Radios

1.42 million (1993 est.)

Televisions

1.77 million (1993 est.)

Transportation

9 fields

Merchant marine, 51 ships by typeone square, one ship · (1997 est.)

cargo 25combination bulk 11oil tanker 2railcar carrier 1refrigerated cargo 8roll-on/roll-off cargo 1short-sea passenger 3

Airports by runway lengthpaved only

under 914 m
14
over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2

Airports by runway lengthunpaved only

under 914 m
63
total: 71 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6

Networkskm

Highways
65,135Railways
2,002Waterways
600
Highways: paved: 57,058 km (including 404 km of expressways) · unpaved: 8,077 km (1996 est.) · 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:
65,135 km
paved:
57,058 km (including 404 km of expressways)
unpaved:
8,077 km (1996 est.)

Pipelines

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

Ports and harbors

Kaunas, Klaipeda

Airports

96 (1994 est.)

Military

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

7 fields

Military branches

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

Military manpower-availability

males age 15-49: 905,259 (1998 est.)

Transnational Issues

2 fields

Disputes-international

  • ongoing talks over boundary dispute with Latvia (primary concern oil exploration rights);
  • demarcation has begun on border with Belarus;
  • 1997 border agreement with Russia not yet ratified

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs from Southwest Asia and Latin America to Western Europe and Scandinavia LUXEMBOURG

Central Intelligence Agency. “Lithuania.” The World Factbook 1998. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/lithuania/1998.

How to cite ← 1997 edition 1999 edition →