CapitalVilnius
Population2,815,687
Area65,300 km²
GDP per capita$47,200
LanguagesLithuanian, Russian, Polish, other, two mother tongues
Currencyeuros
Life Expectancy76.1 yr
Governmentsemi-presidential system.
Introduction
Background
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
Area
land
62,680 sq km
water
2,620 sq km
total
65,300 sq km
Climate
transitional, situated between maritime and continental climates; characterized by wet, moderate winters and summers
Terrain
low-lying area featuring numerous small lakes and fertile soil
Land use
other
18.8% (2023 est.)
forest
35.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
45.9% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 36.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 8.6% (2023 est.)
Location
Located in Eastern Europe, adjacent to the Baltic Sea, positioned between Latvia and Russia, to the west of Belarus
Coastline
90 km
Elevation
lowest point
Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point
Aukstojas 294 m
mean elevation
110 m
Irrigated land
61 sq km (2020)
Map references
Europe
Land boundaries
total
1,545 km
border countries
Belarus 640 km; Latvia 544 km; Poland 100 km; Russia (Kaliningrad) 261 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
Natural hazards
occasional occurrences of floods and droughts
Geography - note
fertile central plains are interspersed with hilly uplands formed from ancient glacial deposits
Natural resources
peat, cultivable land, amber
Area - comparative
slightly larger in area than West Virginia
Geographic coordinates
56 00 N, 24 00 E
Population distribution
relatively uniform population distribution across the nation, although there are higher concentrations in the southern cities of Vilnius and Kaunas, as well as the western port city of Klaipeda
Major lakes (area sq km)
salt water lake(s)
Curonian Lagoon (shared with Russia) - 1,620 sq km
People & Society
Languages
Languages
Lithuanian (official) 85.3%, Russian 6.8%, Polish 5.1%, other 1.1%, two mother tongues 1.7% (2021 estimate)
major-language sample(s)
Pasaulio enciklopedija – naudingas bendrosios informacijos šaltinis. (Lithuanian)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Roman Catholic 74.2%, Russian Orthodox 3.7%, Old Believer 0.6%, Evangelical Lutheran 0.6%, Evangelical Reformist 0.2%, other (including Sunni Muslim, Jewish, Greek Catholic, and Karaite) 0.9%, none 6.1%, unspecified 13.7% (2021 est.)
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
total population
0.86 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.53 male(s)/female
Birth rate
7.01 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
14.1 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
40.9 years
total
44 years (2025 est.)
female
49.2 years
Population
male
1,334,600
total
2,815,687 (2025 est.)
female
1,481,087
Nationality
noun
Lithuanian(s)
adjective
Lithuanian
Tobacco use
male
38% (2025 est.)
total
26.6% (2025 est.)
female
16.7% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
68.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
-0.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
15.2% (male 205,154/female 194,386)
15-64 years
62.6% (male 808,435/female 837,908)
65 years and over
22.2% (2024 est.) (male 201,405/female 380,898)
Ethnic groups
Lithuanian 84.6%, Polish 6.5%, Russian 5%, Belarusian 1%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.8% (2021 estimate)
Child marriage
women married by age 15
0% (2022)
women married by age 18
0.2% (2022)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
56.5 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
23.3 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
3 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
33.3 (2025 est.)
Physician density
6.1 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
7.5% of GDP (2022)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
13% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
6 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.22 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 93.8% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 98% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 6.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
4.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
11.8% national budget (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
4 deaths/1,000 live births
total
2.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
3.1 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
-0.71% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.6 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
the population is relatively evenly distributed across the nation, although there are slightly higher concentrations in the southern urban areas of Vilnius and Kaunas, in addition to the western port city of Klaipeda
Life expectancy at birth
male
70.8 years
female
81.7 years
total population
76.1 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
8 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 91.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 96.7% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 99% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 8.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 3.3% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 1% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
4.61 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.88 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
11.93 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.)
Major urban areas - population
541,000 VILNIUS (capital) (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
26.3% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
28.2 years (2020 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
51.8% (2024 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
1.1% (2021 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
16 years (2022 est.)
total
17 years (2022 est.)
female
17 years (2022 est.)
Environment
Climate
transitional, situated between maritime and continental climates; characterized by wet, temperate winters and summers
Land use
other
18.8% (2023 est.)
forest
35.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
45.9% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 36.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 8.6% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
68.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
-0.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 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.)
Environmental issues
water contamination; air contamination; deforestation; groundwater contamination due to chemicals and waste; soil deterioration and erosion
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.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
12.877 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
2.887 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.)
Particulate matter emissions
11.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
24.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
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
Government
Flag
description: three horizontal stripes of equal width in yellow (top), green, and red
meaning: yellow symbolizes golden fields, sunlight, illumination, and virtue; green represents forests, nature, liberty, and aspiration; red denotes bravery and the blood shed in defense of the nation.
Capital
name
Vilnius
etymology
the name originates from the Vilnia River; the river's name is believed to stem from the Lithuanian term vilnis, which translates to "wave."
time difference
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, in Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, commencing on the last Sunday of March; concluding on the last Sunday of October
geographic coordinates
54 41 N, 25 19 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
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
Constitution
history
multiple prior versions; the most recent was adopted through a referendum on 25 October 1992, taking effect on 2 November 1992
amendment process
proposed by at least one-fourth of the members of Parliament or by a petition from at least 300,000 voters; its approval necessitates a two-thirds majority vote in Parliament across two readings spaced three months apart, along with a presidential endorsement; changes to constitutional articles regarding national sovereignty and the amendment process also require three-fourths voter support in a referendum.
Country name
former
Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic (while occupied by the USSR)
etymology
the origin of the name is unclear; it may derive from local terms such as lietava meaning "small river," or lietus meaning "rain" or "land of rain," or from the Latin word litus which means "shore."
local long form
Lietuvos Respublika
local short form
Lietuva
conventional long form
Republic of Lithuania
conventional short form
Lithuania
Independence
16 February 1918 (from Soviet Russia and Germany); 11 March 1990 (declared independence from the Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union); notable earlier dates include: 6 July 1253 (coronation of MINDAUGAS, regarded as the traditional founding date); 1 July 1569 (establishment of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth).
Legal system
civil law framework; legislative measures can be contested before the Constitutional Court.
Government type
semi-presidential system.
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (comprising 37 judges); Constitutional Court (comprising 9 judges).
subordinate courts
Court of Appeals; district and local courts
judge selection and term of office
Judges of the Supreme Court are nominated by the president and appointed by the Seimas; they serve renewable five-year terms. Judges for the Constitutional Court are appointed by the Seimas from nominations—three each from the president of the republic, the Seimas speaker, and the Supreme Court president; they serve non-renewable nine-year terms, with one-third of the judges being renewed every three years.
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers is nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the president, and requires Parliament's approval.
chief of state
President Gitanas NAUSEDA (since 12 July 2019)
election results
2024: Gitanas NAUSEDA was elected president in the second round; vote percentage - Gitanas NAUSEDA (independent) 75.6%, Ingrida SIMONYTE (TS-LKD) 24.4%
2019: Gitanas NAUSEDA was elected president in the second round; vote percentage - Gitanas NAUSEDA (independent) 66.7%, Ingrida SIMONYTE (independent) 33.3%.
head of government
Prime Minister Inga RUGINIENE (since 25 September 2025)
most recent election date
26 May 2024
election/appointment process
the president is directly elected through an absolute-majority popular vote in two rounds if necessary, serving a five-year term (eligible for re-election); the prime minister is appointed by the president and must be approved by Parliament.
expected date of next election
2029
National holiday
Independence Day (or National Day) is celebrated on 16 February (1918).
National color(s)
yellow, green, red
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.
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
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
141 (all directly elected)
electoral system
mixed system
legislature name
Parliament (Seimas)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
10/13/2024 to 10/27/2024
expected date of next election
October 2028
percentage of women in chamber
28.4%
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).
National anthem(s)
title
"Tautiska giesme" (The National Song)
history
adopted in 1918, restored in 1990; originally written in 1898 while Lithuania was under Russian control; prohibited during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990.
lyrics/music
Vincas KUDIRKA
National symbol(s)
mounted knight symbol known as Vytis (the Chaser), white stork.
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
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 328-0466
chancery
2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone
[1] (202) 234-5860
chief of mission
Ambassador Gediminas VARVUOLIS (since 5 September 2025)
consulate(s) general
Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
email address and website
[email protected]
https://usa.mfa.lt/usa/en/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[370] (5) 266-5510
embassy
Akmenu gatve 6, Vilnius, LT-03106
telephone
[370] (5) 266-5500
mailing address
4510 Vilnius Place, Washington DC 20521-4510
chief of mission
Ambassador Kara C. McDONALD (since 26 January 2024).
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
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction.
Economy
Budget
revenues
$28.011 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures
$28.68 billion (2023 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$61.448 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$61.02 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$62.896 billion (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$62.916 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$57.899 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$58.491 billion (2024 est.)
Industries
metal-cutting machinery, electric motors, televisions, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, small shipbuilding, furniture production, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural equipment, optical instruments, lasers, electronic components, computers, amber jewelry, information technology, video game production, application/software development, biotechnology
Labor force
1.548 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2023
36.9% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022
1% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
1.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024
1.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
0.876 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
0.845 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
0.95 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
0.925 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
0.924 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
high-income EU and eurozone member, largest economy in the Baltic region; recovery is bolstered by private consumption and investments driven by EU funds; structural issues include pension reform, an aging workforce, and high costs for energy imports
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
6% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
6.9% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
7.6% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
Latvia 11%, Poland 8%, Germany 7%, Netherlands 6%, Russia 6% (2023)
Imports - partners
Germany 13%, Poland 13%, Latvia 8%, USA 7%, Norway 5% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$46,700 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$46,200 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$47,200 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
2.5% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
0.3% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
2.8% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
wheat, milk, sugar beets, rapeseed, barley, potatoes, triticale, oats, beans, peas (2023)
Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, furniture, plastic goods, wheat, automobiles (2023)
Imports - commodities
crude petroleum, automobiles, natural gas, packaged pharmaceuticals, plastic goods (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022
-$4.322 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
$878.388 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024
$2.101 billion (2024 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
21.4% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$84.869 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
57.3% (2023 est.)
government consumption
17.3% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories
-1.8% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital
23.7% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services
76.5% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services
-72.6% (2023 est.)
Population below poverty line
20.9% (2021 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food
19.4% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco
5.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
19.7% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
9.1% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
0.7% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
3.2% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$132.099 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$132.552 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$136.227 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
16.3% (2024 est.)
total
14.1% (2024 est.)
female
11.7% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$5.365 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$6.168 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$7.406 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
23.4% (2024 est.)
services
63.6% (2024 est.)
agriculture
2.6% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
2.5% (2022 est.)
highest 10%
28.7% (2022 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2022
36.6 (2022 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
78,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports
149,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
166,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production
4,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves
12 million barrels (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
67,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)
Electricity
exports
3.98 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports
10.91 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
10.992 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
5.426 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
829.9 million kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
exports
1.867 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports
3.282 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
1.49 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Nuclear energy
Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down
2 (2025)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
83.7 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
51% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
14.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
16.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
4.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste
13.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
89% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
The public broadcasting entity runs three channels, with the third channel, which is satellite-based, launched in 2007; there are numerous privately owned commercial television broadcasters that manage national and several regional channels; additionally, there exists a plethora of privately owned local television stations; multi-channel cable and satellite television services are accessible; the publicly owned broadcaster also operates three radio networks; a significant number of privately owned commercial radio broadcasters, including repeater stations across different regions.
Internet country code
.lt
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
224,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
8 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
3.97 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
139 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
806,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
28 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
0
medium
1
key ports
Butinge Oil Terminal, Klaipeda
very small
1
total ports
2 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
2
Airports
64 (2025)
Railways
total
1,911 km (2020) 152 km electrified
Heliports
2 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
59 (2023)
by type
3 container ships, 19 general cargo vessels, 2 oil tankers, 35 others
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
LY
Military & Security
Military - note
The Lithuanian Armed Forces are tasked with safeguarding the nation's interests, sovereignty, and territory, as well as fulfilling Lithuania's obligations to NATO and ensuring European security, and participating in UN international peacekeeping initiatives. The primary security concern for Lithuania is Russia, a focus that has intensified following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the subsequent large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Lithuania has been a NATO member since 2004 and relies on the Alliance as its security guarantor. The country is actively involved in both NATO and EU security frameworks, as well as in bilateral collaborations with allies such as the other Baltic States, Germany, Poland, the UK, Ukraine, and the US. The Lithuanian military has taken part in NATO and EU missions abroad and consistently engages in training and exercises alongside NATO and EU partner forces. Lithuania hosts NATO troops, is a participant in the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, and contributes personnel to a multinational brigade in collaboration with Poland and Ukraine. The nation partook in its inaugural UN peacekeeping mission in 1994.
Since 2017, Lithuania has been hosting a German-led multinational NATO ground force battlegroup as part of the Alliance’s Enhanced Forward Presence initiative. Since 2004, NATO has also offered air defense for Lithuania through its Baltic Air Policing mission, with NATO fighter jets stationed at Lithuania’s Šiauliai Air Base (2025).
Military deployments
note: contributes approximately 350-550 troops to the joint military brigade of Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine (LITPOLUKRBRIG), which was formed in 2014. The brigade is based in Poland and is composed of an international staff, three battalions, and specialized units. The units associated with the multinational brigade remain integrated within the armed forces of their respective nations until the brigade is activated for an international operation.
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2021
2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
2.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
2.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
3.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures 2025
4% of GDP (2025 est.)
Military and security forces
Lithuanian Armed Forces (Lietuvos Ginkluotosios Pajegos): Lithuanian Land Forces (LLF), Lithuanian Navy, Lithuanian Air Force (LTAF), Lithuanian Special Operations Forces (LITHSOF); National Defense Volunteer Forces (2025).
Military service age and obligation
The age requirement for conscripted military service for men is 19-26 years, with a 9-month service commitment; voluntary service for both men and women is available for ages 18-38, and the National Defense Volunteer Services accept individuals aged 18-60 (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The military's arsenal consists primarily of a combination of European and US weaponry (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
Approximately 20,000 active-duty military personnel are present (2025).
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees
53,859 (2024 est.)
stateless persons
2,236 (2024 est.)
