Lithuania

Republic of LithuaniaLietuvos Respublika

parliamentary democracyIndependence 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Lithuania as the 2000 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 109 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 Russia
2000

Every edition of Lithuania

Populationas each edition published it
3.62 million July 2000 est. · 3.79m in 1992
Population growth% a year
-0.29% 2000 est. · 0.76% in 1993
Median ageyears
Not in this edition 36.6 yrs in 2003
Life expectancyyears at birth
69.09 years 2000 est. · 71.12 yrs in 1993
Fertility ratechildren per woman
1.34 children per woman 2000 est. · 2.1 in 1992
Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births
14.67 deaths per 1,000 live births 2000 est. · 18 in 1992
GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars
$4,800 1999 est. · $3,240 in 1994
GDP real growth% a year
-3% 1999 est. · -30% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

Independent between the two World Wars, Lithuania was annexed by the USSR in 1940. In March of 1990, Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence, but this proclamation was not generally recognized until September of 1991 (following the abortive coup in Moscow). The last Russian troops withdrew in 1993. Lithuania subsequently has restructured its economy for eventual integration into Western European institutions.

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

Natural resources

peat, arable land

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:
Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

People

15 fields
Population
3,620,756
(July 2000 est.)growth rate: -0.29% (2000 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2000 est.)

Birth
9.77Death
12.87Net migration
0.16

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2000 est.)69.09
63.07 · 75.41
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:
19% (male 357,712; female 342,796)
15-64 years:
67% (male 1,177,732; female 1,259,682)
65 years and over:
14% (male 163,470; female 319,364) (2000 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:
0.51 male(s)/female
total population:
0.88 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Infant mortality rate

14.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.34 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Nationality

noun:
Lithuanian(s)
adjective:
Lithuanian

Religions

Roman Catholic (primarily), Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Protestant, evangelical Christian Baptist, Muslim, Jewish

Languages

Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian

Government

Parliamentary democracy; President Valdas ADAMKUS (since 26 February 1998); Premier Andrius KUBILIUS (since 12 November 1999)

19 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

50.4%
Valdas ADAMKUS 50.4%Arturas PAULAUSKAS 49.6%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

Capital

Vilnius

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 Valdas ADAMKUS (since 26 February 1998)
head of government:
Premier Andrius KUBILIUS (since 12 November 1999)
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 50.4%, Arturas PAULAUSKAS 49.6%

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

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, ISO (correspondent), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Stasys SAKALAUSKAS
chancery:
2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
[1] (202) 234-5860
FAX:
[1] (202) 328-0466
consulate(s) general:
Chicago and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Keith C. SMITH
embassy:
Akmenu 6, 2600 Vilnius
mailing address:
American Embassy, Vilnius, PSC 78, Box V, APO AE 09723
telephone:
[370] (2) 223-031
FAX:
[370] (6) 706-084

Flag description

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

Economy

31 fields
Real growth rate
-3%
(1999 est.)industrial production growth: -14% (1999 est.)
Labor force
1.8million

GDP - composition by sector(1998 est.)

agriculture 10%industry 32%services 58% (1998 est.)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

17.4%
Russia
20.4%
15.8%
Germany
16.5%
12.7%
Latvia
2%
5.9%
Denmark
3.8%
5.2%
Belarus
2.2%
Exports $3.3 billion (f.o.b., 1999)Imports $4.5 billion (f.o.b., 1999)(1999)

Budget

Revenues
$1.5 billionExpenditures
$1.7 billion (1997 est.)
expenditures including capital expenditures of $NA

Electricity

fossil fuel 13.09%hydro 4.3%nuclear 82.61%other 0%
Electricity production
15.58 billion (1998)Electricity consumption
7.829 billion (1998)Electricity exports
7 billion (1998)Electricity imports
340 million (1998)

Economy - overview

Lithuania, the Baltic state that has conducted the most trade with Russia, faced its own economic and financial crisis in 1999 as a result of the government's wrongfooted economic policies and its inadequate response to the August 1998 Russian financial crisis. Preliminary figures indicate 3% negative GDP growth, 10% unemployment - the highest level since independence in 1991 - and a budget deficit estimated at between 8 and 9% of GDP. The policies that Prime Minister KUBILIUS implemented upon taking the helm in November 1999 underscore a commitment to fiscal restraint, economic stabilization, and accelerated reforms.

The austere 2000 budget in based on a 2% GDP growth forecast, 3% inflation, and a 2.8% budget deficit. Lithuania was invited at the Helsinki EU summit in December 1999 to begin EU accession talks in early 2000. Privatization of the large state-owned utilities, particularly in the energy sector, and reducing the high current account deficit remain challenges for the coming year.

GDP

purchasing power parity - $17.3 billion (1999 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $4,800 (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%:
3.4%
highest 10%:
28% (1993)

Labor force - by occupation

industry 30%, agriculture 20%, services 50% (1997 est.)

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 - products

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

Exports

$3.3 billion (f.o.b., 1999)

Exports - commodities

machinery and equipment 19%, mineral products 19%, textiles and clothing 19%, chemicals 10%, foodstuffs (1998)

Imports

$4.5 billion (f.o.b., 1999)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment 30%, mineral products 16%, chemicals 9%, textiles and clothing 9%, foodstuffs (1998)

Economic aid - recipient

$228.5 million (1995)

Currency

1 Lithuanian litas = 100 centas

Exchange rates

litai per US$1 - 4.000 (fixed rate since 1 May 1994)

Fiscal year

calendar year

Communications

8 fields
Mobile cellular
297,500
(1998)
Fixed lines
1.048 million
(1997)

Telephone system

inadequate but is being modernized to provide an improved international capability and better residential access

domestic:
  • a national fiber-optic cable interurban trunk system is nearing completion;
  • rural exchanges are being improved and expanded;
  • mobile cellular systems are being installed;
  • access to the Internet is available;
  • still many unsatisfied telephone subscriber applications
international:
  • landline connections to Latvia and Poland;
  • major international connections are to Denmark, Sweden, and Norway by submarine cable for further transmission by satellite

Radio broadcast stations

AM 3, FM 112, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

1.9 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations

82 (mainly repeater stations) (1998)

Televisions

1.7 million (1997)

Transportation

9 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right

3
over 3,047 m
2
2,438 to 3,047 m
1
4
1,524 to 2,437 m
1
2
914 to 1,523 m
6
14
under 914 m
63
Paved 25Unpaved 71

Networkskm

Highways
71,375Railways
2,002Waterways
600
Highways: paved: 64,951 km (including 417 km of expressways) · unpaved: 6,424 km (1998 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:
71,375 km
paved:
64,951 km (including 417 km of expressways)
unpaved:
6,424 km (1998 est.)

Pipelines

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

Ports and harbors

Kaunas, Klaipeda

Merchant marine

total:
52 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 316,319 GRT/351,700 DWT
ships by type:
cargo 23, combination bulk 11, petroleum tanker 2, rail car carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 11, roll-on/roll-off 1, short-sea passenger 3 (1999 est.)

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: 925,551 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 727,609 (2000 est.)

Transnational Issues

2 fields

Disputes - international

ongoing talks over maritime boundary dispute with Latvia (primary concern is oil exploration rights); 1997 border agreement with Russia not yet ratified

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs from Southwest Asia, Latin America, and Western Europe to Western Europe and Scandinavia [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]

Central Intelligence Agency. “Lithuania.” The World Factbook 2000. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/lithuania/2000.

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