Country Profile: Lithuania

Lithuania is a semi-presidential republic located in Eastern Europe, bordered by the Baltic Sea. It has a population of approximately 2.8 million people and is known for its rich history and cultural influences. The economy is classified as high-income, primarily driven by the service sector, while the government has made significant strides towards integration into European and NATO structures since regaining independence in 1990. Lithuania continues to navigate challenges such as an aging workforce and high energy-import costs.

Geography

Lithuania is situated in Eastern Europe, bordered by Latvia to the north, Poland to the south, and Kaliningrad (a Russian exclave) to the west. The country's total area is 65,300 square kilometers, featuring a mix of lowland terrain and fertile plains, scattered with numerous lakes. Its climate is transitional, characterized by wet, moderate winters and summers.

65,300 sq km - Total area of Lithuania.
90 km - Length of the coastline along the Baltic Sea.
1,545 km - Total length of land borders with neighboring countries.
26.3% - Percentage of the land classified as forested area (2023).
45.9% - Proportion of agricultural land (2023).

People and Society

Lithuania has an estimated population of approximately 2.8 million, with a notable ethnic composition that includes 84.6% Lithuanians, 6.5% Poles, and 5% Russians. The country features a rich cultural tapestry, heavily influenced by its history and Roman Catholic majority (about 74.2% of the population). Urban areas, particularly the capital Vilnius, host a majority of the population.

2,815,687 - Population estimate for 2025.
68.7% - Urban population proportion as of 2023.
44 years - Median age of the population in 2025.
14.1 - Death rate per 1,000 population (2025 est.).
7.01 - Birth rate per 1,000 population (2025 est.).

Economy

Lithuania's economy is characterized as the largest in the Baltic region and is classified as high-income. It is heavily reliant on private consumption and EU investments. The recovery from recent economic challenges has been steady, although issues such as an aging population and high energy costs remain.

$84.87 billion - GDP (official exchange rate) for 2024.
2.8% - Projected GDP growth rate for 2024.
$47,200 - Real GDP per capita estimate for 2024.
7.6% - Unemployment rate projected for 2024.
76.5% - Percentage of GDP generated from exports (2023).

Government

Lithuania operates as a semi-presidential republic, with a President serving as the head of state and a Prime Minister leading the government. The country has a unicameral parliament known as the Seimas, which consists of 141 members. Lithuania's constitution was last adopted in 1992, marking its commitment to democratic governance.

President: Gitanas Nausėda, in office since July 12, 2019.
Parliament (Seimas): Unicameral legislature with 141 seats.
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years of age.
Independence Day: February 16, 1918.
Total municipalities: 60.

Military and Security

The Lithuanian Armed Forces consist of the Land, Navy, and Air Forces, together with active participation in NATO initiatives since 2004. Lithuania focuses on security cooperation, particularly with its NATO allies, addressing challenges posed by regional tensions.

4% of GDP - Military expenditure projection for 2025.
20,000 - Approximate active-duty military personnel by 2025.
19-26 years - Age range for conscripted military service obligation.
350-550 troops - Contribution to the Lithuania-Poland-Ukraine joint military brigade.
NATO: Member since 2004, with ongoing security cooperation.

Energy

Lithuania ensures 100% electricity access for its population, with a significant reliance on renewable energy sources such as wind and solar for electricity generation. The energy sector faces challenges related to imports and energy security.

100% - Total electrification of the population (2022).
5.426 million kW - Installed electricity generation capacity (2023).
10.992 billion kWh - Electricity consumption in 2023.
51% - Share of wind energy in total installed capacity (2023).
1.49 billion cubic meters - Natural gas consumption in 2023.

Environment

Lithuania faces various environmental challenges, including water and air pollution, deforestation, and soil degradation. The country is active in international environmental agreements, addressing climate change and biodiversity issues.

68.7% - Urban population as of 2023.
11.5 - Micrograms of particulate matter per cubic meter (2019).
1.315 million tons - Annual municipal solid waste generated (2024).
35.3% - Percentage of land classified as forest (2023).
24.5 billion cubic meters - Total renewable water resources (2022).

Transportation

Lithuania has a well-developed transportation network that includes extensive railways and a growing air transport sector, facilitating both domestic and international connectivity.

64 - Number of airports in Lithuania (2025).
1,911 km - Total length of railways (2020).
59 - Total merchant marine vessels (2023).
2 - Major ports, including Butinge Oil Terminal and Klaipeda.
3.97 million - Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024).

Communications

The communications sector in Lithuania is highly developed, with widespread access to mobile telephony and the internet. High internet penetration rates facilitate connectivity and information access.

89% - Percentage of the population using the internet (2023).
3.97 million - Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024).
806,000 - Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).
224,000 - Fixed line telephone subscriptions (2023).
8 - Fixed line subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	2,815,687	Estimated for 2025
Total Area	65,300 sq km
GDP (official exchange rate)	$84.87 billion	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	7.6%	Estimated for 2024
Birth Rate	7.01 births/1,000	Estimated for 2025
Death Rate	14.1 deaths/1,000	Estimated for 2025
Energy Consumption per Capita	83.7 million Btu/person	Estimated for 2023
Urban Population	68.7%	Of total population in 2023
Military Expenditure	4% of GDP	Estimated for 2025
Life Expectancy	76.1 years	Estimated for 2024