Europe
Page last updated: July 24, 2024
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.
Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia, west of Belarus
56°00' N, 24°00' E
Europe
Total : 65,300 km²
Land: 62,680 km²
Water: 2,620 km²
Slightly larger than West Virginia
Area comparison map:
Total: 1,545 km
Border countries (4): Belarus 640 km; Latvia 544 km; Poland 100 km; Russia (Kaliningrad) 261 km
90 km
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers
Lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil
Highest point: Aukstojas 294 m
Lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
Mean elevation: 110 m
Peat, arable land, amber
Agricultural land: 44.8% (2018 est.)
Arable land: 34.9% (2018 est.)
Permanent crops: 0.5% (2018 est.)
Permanent pasture: 9.4% (2018 est.)
Forest: 34.6% (2018 est.)
Other: 20.6% (2018 est.)
16 km² (2013)
Salt water lake(s): Curonian Lagoon (shared with Russia) - 1,620 km²
Fairly even population distribution throughout the country, but somewhat greater concentrations in the southern cities of Vilnius and Kaunas, and the western port of Klaipeda
Occasional floods, droughts
Fertile central plains are separated by hilly uplands that are ancient glacial deposits
Total: 2,628,186
Male: 1,214,994
Female: 1,413,192 (2024 est.)
Comparison rankings: female 141; male 145; total 142
Noun: Lithuanian(s)
Adjective: Lithuanian
Lithuanian 84.6%, Polish 6.5%, Russian 5%, Belarusian 1%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.8% (2021 est.)
Lithuanian (official) 85.3%, Russian 6.8%, Polish 5.1%, other 1.1%, two mother tongues 1.7% (2021 est.)
Major-language sample(s):
Pasaulio enciklopedija – naudingas bendrosios informacijos šaltinis. (Lithuanian)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
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.)
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)
2023 population pyramid:
Total dependency ratio: 55.7
Youth dependency ratio: 23.6
Elderly dependency ratio: 32.1
Potential support ratio: 3.1 (2021 est.)
Total: 45.1 years (2024 est.)
Male: 40.9 years
Female: 49.2 years
-1.05% (2024 est.)
8.9 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
15.2 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
-4.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Fairly even population distribution throughout the country, but somewhat greater concentrations in the southern cities of Vilnius and Kaunas, and the western port of Klaipeda
Urban population: 68.7% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: -0.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030
541,000 VILNIUS (capital) (2023)
At birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.53 male(s)/female
Total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
28.2 years (2020 est.)
9 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
Total: 3.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
Male: 4 deaths/1,000 live births
Female: 3.1 deaths/1,000 live births
Total population: 76.1 years (2024 est.)
Male: 70.8 years
Female: 81.7 years
1.62 children born/woman (2024 est.)
0.79 (2024 est.)
NA
Improved: urban: 100% of population
Rural: 93.8% of population
Total: 98% of population
Unimproved: urban: 0% of population
Rural: 6.2% of population
Total: 2% of population (2020 est.)
7.5% of GDP (2020)
5.08 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
6.4 beds/1,000 population (2018)
Improved: urban: 99.5% of population
Rural: 88.7% of population
Total: 96% of population
Unimproved: urban: 0.5% of population
Rural: 11.3% of population
Total: 4% of population (2020 est.)
Degree of risk: intermediate (2023)
Vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis
26.3% (2016)
Total: 11.93 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Beer: 4.61 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Wine: 0.88 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.)
Total: 32% (2020 est.)
Male: 42.1% (2020 est.)
Female: 21.8% (2020 est.)
2.5% (2021) NA
53.4% (2023 est.)
Women married by age 18: 0.3% (2021 est.)
4% of GDP (2019 est.)
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 99.8%
Male: 99.8%
Female: 99.8% (2021)
Total: 16 years
Male: 16 years
Female: 17 years (2020)
Water pollution; air pollution; deforestation; threatened animal and plant species; chemicals and waste materials released into the environment contaminate soil and groundwater; soil degradation and erosion
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
Transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers
Agricultural land: 44.8% (2018 est.)
Arable land: 34.9% (2018 est.)
Permanent crops: 0.5% (2018 est.)
Permanent pasture: 9.4% (2018 est.)
Forest: 34.6% (2018 est.)
Other: 20.6% (2018 est.)
Urban population: 68.7% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: -0.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030
0.31% of GDP (2018 est.)
0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Particulate matter emissions: 10.37 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 12.96 megatons (2016 est.)
Methane emissions: 3.15 megatons (2020 est.)
Municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.3 million tons (2015 est.)
Municipal solid waste recycled annually: 297,960 tons (2015 est.)
Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 22.9% (2015 est.)
Salt water lake(s): Curonian Lagoon (shared with Russia) - 1,620 km²
Municipal: 140 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Industrial: 60 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Agricultural: 60 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
24.5 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Conventional long form: Republic of Lithuania
Conventional short form: Lithuania
Local long form: Lietuvos Respublika
Local short form: Lietuva
Former: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic (while occupied by the USSR)
Etymology: meaning of the name "Lietuva" remains unclear and is debated by scholars; it may derive from the Lietava, a stream in east central Lithuania
Semi-presidential republic
Name: Vilnius
Geographic coordinates: 54 41 N, 25 19 E
Time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Etymology: named after the Vilnia River, which flows into the Neris River at Vilnius; the river name derives from the Lithuanian word "vilnis" meaning "a surge"
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
16 February 1918 (from Soviet Russia and Germany); 11 March 1990 (declared from the Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union); notable earlier dates: 6 July 1253 (coronation of MINDAUGAS, traditional founding date); 1 July 1569 (Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth created)
Independence Day (or National Day), 16 February (1918); note - 16 February 1918 was the date Lithuania established its statehood and its concomitant independence from Soviet Russia and Germany; 11 March 1990 was the date it declared the restoration of Lithuanian statehood and its concomitant independence from the Soviet Union
History: several previous; latest adopted by referendum 25 October 1992, entered into force 2 November 1992
Amendments: proposed by at least one fourth of all Parliament members or by petition of at least 300,000 voters; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of Parliament in each of two readings three months apart and a presidential signature; amendments to constitutional articles on national sovereignty and constitutional amendment procedure also require three-fourths voter approval in a referendum; amended many times, last in 2022
Civil law system; legislative acts can be appealed to the Constitutional Court
Accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
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
18 years of age; universal
Chief of state: President Gitanas NAUSEDA (since 12 July 2019)
Head of government: Prime Minister Ingrida SIMONYTE (since 24 November 2020)
Cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the president, approved by Parliament
Elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); first round of the election held on 12 May 204 (runoff to be held on 12 May 2024); prime minister appointed by the president, approved by Parliament
Election results:
2024: Gitanas NAUSEDA elected president in the second round; percent of vote -Gitanas NAUSEDA (independent) 74.6%, Ingrida SIMONYTE (independent) 24.4%
2019: Gitanas NAUSEDA elected president in second round; percent of vote - Gitanas NAUSEDA (independent) 66.7%, Ingrida SIMONYTE (independent) 33.3%
Description: unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats; 71 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote and 70 directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
Elections: last held on 11 and 25 October 2020 (next to be held on 13 October 2024)
Election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - TS-LKD 50, LVZS 32, LSDP 13, LRLS 13, LP 11, DP 10, LLRA-KSS 3, LSDDP 3, LT 1, LZP 1, independent 4; composition - men 99, women 41, percentage women 29.3%
Highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of 37 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges)
Judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the president and appointed by the Seimas; judges serve 5-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the Seimas from nominations - 3 each by the president of the republic, the Seimas speaker, and the Supreme Court president; judges serve 9-year, nonrenewable terms; one-third of membership reconstituted every 3 years
Subordinate courts: Court of Appeals; district and local courts
Democrats for Lithuania [Saulius SKVERNELIS]
Electoral Action of Lithuanian Poles or LLRA [Valdemar TOMASEVSKI]
Freedom and Justice Party or LT [Remigijus ZEMAITAITIS] (formerly Lithuanian Freedom Union (Liberals))
Freedom Party or LP [Ausrine ARMONAITE]
Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats or TS-LKD [Gabrielius LANDSBERGIS]
Labor Party or DP [Andrius MAZURONIS]
Lithuanian Center Party or LCP [Naglis PUTEIKIS]
Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union or LVZS [Ramunas KARBAUSKIS]
Lithuanian Green Party or LZP [Remigijus LAPINSKAS]
Lithuanian Liberal Movement or LS or LRLS [Viktorija CMILYTE-NIELSEN]
Lithuanian List or LL [Darius KUOLYS]
Lithuanian Regions Party or LRP [Jonas PINSKUS] (formerly Lithuanian Social Democratic Labor Party or LSDDP)
Lithuanian Social Democratic Party or LSDP [Vilija BLINKEVICIUTE]
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
Three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red; yellow symbolizes golden fields, as well as the sun, light, and goodness; green represents the forests of the countryside, in addition to nature, freedom, and hope; red stands for courage and the blood spilled in defense of the homeland
Mounted knight known as Vytis (the Chaser), white stork; national colors: yellow, green, red
Name: "Tautiska giesme" (The National Song)
Lyrics/music: Vincas KUDIRKA
Note: adopted 1918, restored 1990; written in 1898 while Lithuania was a part of Russia; banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990
Total World Heritage Sites: 5 (all cultural)
Selected World Heritage Site locales: Vilnius Historic Center; Curonian Spit; KernavÄ— Archaeological Site; Struve Geodetic Arc; Modernist Kaunas: Architecture of Optimism, 1919-1939
High-income EU and eurozone member, largest Baltic economy; growth stalled due to Ukraine war impact on energy, exports, and fiscal spending for defense and refugee support; rebound supported by EU fund-driven investments and reduced inflation; structural challenges include pension reform, labor market inefficiencies, health care, and education spending
$132.712 billion (2023 est.)
$133.159 billion (2022 est.)
$129.987 billion (2021 est.)
Note: data in 2021 dollars
-0.34% (2023 est.)
2.44% (2022 est.)
6.28% (2021 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
$46,200 (2023 est.)
$47,000 (2022 est.)
$46,400 (2021 est.)
Note: data in 2021 dollars
$77.836 billion (2023 est.)
Note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
9.12% (2023 est.)
19.71% (2022 est.)
4.68% (2021 est.)
Note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Fitch rating: A (2020)
Moody's rating: A3 (2015)
Standard & Poors rating: A+ (2020)
Note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.
Agriculture: 3.5% (2017 est.)
Industry: 29.4% (2017 est.)
Services: 67.2% (2017 est.)
Comparison rankings: services 86; industry 81; agriculture 146
Household consumption: 63.9% (2017 est.)
Government consumption: 16.6% (2017 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 18.8% (2017 est.)
Investment in inventories: -1.3% (2017 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 81.6% (2017 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -79.3% (2017 est.)
Wheat, milk, rapeseed, sugar beets, barley, potatoes, beans, triticale, oats, peas (2022)
Note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, televisions, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture, textiles, food processing, fertilizer, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, lasers, electronic components, computers, amber jewelry, information technology, video game development, app/software development, biotechnology
-2.17% (2023 est.)
Note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
1.51 million (2023 est.)
Note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
6.96% (2023 est.)
5.96% (2022 est.)
7.11% (2021 est.)
Note: % of labor force seeking employment
Total: 19% (2021 est.)
Male: 18.5%
Female: 19.6%
20.9% (2021 est.)
Note: % of population with income below national poverty line
36.7 (2021 est.)
Note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
On food: 21% of household expenditures (2021 est.)
On alcohol and tobacco: 5.9% of household expenditures (2021 est.)
Lowest 10%: 2.6% (2021 est.)
Highest 10%: 29.1% (2021 est.)
Note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
1.25% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.04% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.16% of GDP (2021 est.)
Note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Revenues: $18.636 billion (2019 est.)
Expenditures: $18.491 billion (2019 est.)
0.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
36.05% of GDP (2022 est.)
48.21% of GDP (2021 est.)
52.86% of GDP (2020 est.)
Note: central government debt as a % of GDP
21.1% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
Note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
$1.506 billion (2023 est.)
-$3.874 billion (2022 est.)
$766.788 million (2021 est.)
Note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
$61.101 billion (2023 est.)
$61.444 billion (2022 est.)
$53.397 billion (2021 est.)
Note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Latvia 13%, Poland 8%, Germany 8%, Russia 6%, US 6% (2022)
Note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Refined petroleum, furniture, plastic products, natural gas, wheat (2022)
Note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
$58.104 billion (2023 est.)
$62.853 billion (2022 est.)
$50.377 billion (2021 est.)
Note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Poland 12%, Germany 11%, Latvia 8%, US 6%, Russia 5% (2022)
Note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Crude petroleum, natural gas, electricity, cars, plastic products (2022)
Note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
$6.168 billion (2023 est.)
$5.365 billion (2022 est.)
$5.58 billion (2021 est.)
Note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
$37.859 billion (2019 est.)
$41.999 billion (2018 est.)
Euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
0.925 (2023 est.)
0.95 (2022 est.)
0.845 (2021 est.)
0.876 (2020 est.)
0.893 (2019 est.)
Electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Installed generating capacity: 4.258 million kW (2022 est.)
Consumption: 11.227 billion kWh (2022 est.)
Exports: 2.652 billion kWh (2022 est.)
Imports: 11.22 billion kWh (2022 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 855.476 million kWh (2022 est.)
Comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 91; imports 24; exports 51; consumption 98; installed generating capacity 95
Fossil fuels: 28.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Solar: 4.7% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Wind: 42.8% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Hydroelectricity: 6.6% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Biomass and waste: 17.8% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down: 2 (2023)
Consumption: 263,000 metric tons (2022 est.)
Exports: 154,000 metric tons (2022 est.)
Imports: 496,000 metric tons (2022 est.)
Total petroleum production: 4,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Refined petroleum consumption: 68,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Crude oil estimated reserves: 12 million barrels (2021 est.)
Consumption: 1.601 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Exports: 1.921 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Imports: 3.53 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
12.803 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
From coal and metallurgical coke: 586,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 9.115 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
From consumed natural gas: 3.102 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
85.201 million Btu/person (2022 est.)
Total subscriptions: 250,000 (2022 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2022 est.)
Total subscriptions: 3.826 million (2022 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 139 (2022 est.)
General assessment:
Lithuania’s small telecoms market is among the more advanced in Europe, particularly given the universal access to long-term evolution (LTE) infrastructure and the extensive fiber footprint; Operator investment has been focused on fiber broadband and mobile network upgrades; Fiber is now by far the dominant fixed broadband platform, with the number of Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and cable connections in steady decline; LTE services are available nationally, operators have made steady investments in 5G
(2024)
Domestic: nearly 9 per 100 for fixed-line subscriptions; mobile-cellular subscriptions at 139 per 100 persons (2022)
International: country code - 370; landing points for the BCS East, BCS East-West Interlink and NordBalt connecting Lithuania to Sweden, and Latvia ; further transmission by satellite; landline connections to Latvia and Poland (2019)
Public broadcaster operates 3 channels with the third channel - a satellite channel - introduced in 2007; various privately owned commercial TV broadcasters operate national and multiple regional channels; many privately owned local TV stations; multi-channel cable and satellite TV services available; publicly owned broadcaster operates 3 radio networks; many privately owned commercial broadcasters, with repeater stations in various regions throughout the country
.lt
Total: 2.436 million (2021 est.)
Percent of population: 87% (2021 est.)
Total: 796,814 (2020 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 29 (2020 est.)
Number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020)
Inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 50
Annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 26,031 (2018)
LY
65 (2024)
2 (2024)
1,921 km gas, 121 km refined products (2013)
Total: 1,911 km (2020) 152 km electrified
Total: 83,821 km (2022)
441 km (2007) (navigable year-round)
Total: 59 (2023)
By type: container ship 3, general cargo 19, oil tanker 2, other 35
Total ports: 2 (2024)
Large: 0
Medium: 1
Small: 0
Very small: 1
Ports with oil terminals: 2
Key ports: Butinge Oil Terminal, Klaipeda
Lithuanian Armed Forces (Lietuvos Ginkluotosios Pajegos): Land Forces (Sausumos Pajegos), Naval Forces (Karines Juru Pajegos), Air Forces (Karines Oro Pajegos), Special Operations Forces (Specialiuju Operaciju Pajegos); National Defense Volunteer Forces (Krašto Apsaugos Savanorių Pajegos or KASP); National Riflemen's Union (Lietuvos šaulių sąjunga) (2024)
Note 1: the National Rifleman's Union is a civilian paramilitary organization supported by the Lithuanian Government that cooperates with the military but is not part of it; however, in a state of war, its armed formations would fall under the armed forces
Note 2: the Lithuanian Police and State Border Guard Service are under the Ministry of Interior; in wartime, the State Border Guard Service becomes part of the armed forces
2.9% of GDP (2024 est.)
2.8% of GDP (2023)
2.5% of GDP (2022)
2% of GDP (2021)
2.1% of GDP (2020)
Approximately 18,000 active-duty personnel (14,000 Army, including about 5,000 active National Defense Voluntary Forces); 500 Navy; 1,000 Air Force; 2,500 other, including special operations forces, logistics support, training, etc) (2024)
The military's inventory is a mix of Soviet-era and more modern European and US equipment; Germany and the US have been the leading suppliers in recent years (2023)
19-26 years of age for conscripted military service for men; 9-month service obligation; in 2015, Lithuania reinstated conscription after having converted to a professional military in 2008; 18-38 for voluntary service for men and women (2024)
Note 1: Lithuania conscripts up to 4,000 males each year; conscripts are selected using an automated lottery system
Note 2: as of 2020, women comprised about 12% of the military's full-time personnel
Note: contributes about 350-550 troops to the Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine joint military brigade (LITPOLUKRBRIG), which was established in 2014; the brigade is headquartered in Poland and is comprised of an international staff, three battalions, and specialized units; units affiliated with the multinational brigade remain within the structures of the armed forces of their respective countries until the brigade is activated for participation in an international operation
The Lithuanian Armed Forces are responsible for the defense of the country’s interests, sovereignty, and territory, fulfilling Lithuania’s commitments to NATO and European security, and contributing to UN international peacekeeping efforts; Russia is Lithuania’s primary security focus, which has only increased since the Russian seizure of Crimea in 2014 and subsequent full-scale attack on Ukraine in 2022; Lithuania has been a member of NATO since 2004 and is reliant on the Alliance as the country’s security guarantor; it is actively engaged in both NATO and EU security, as well as bilaterally with allies such as the other Baltic States, Germany, Poland, the UK, Ukraine, and the US; the Lithuanian military has participated in NATO and EU missions abroad and regularly conducts training and exercises with NATO and EU partner forces; it hosts NATO forces, is a member of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, and contributes troops to a multinational brigade with Poland and Ukraine; Lithuania participated in its first UN peacekeeping mission in 1994
Since 2017, Lithuania has hosted a German-led multinational NATO ground force battlegroup as part of the Alliance’s Enhanced Forward Presence initiative; NATO has also provided air protection for Lithuania since 2004 through its Baltic Air Policing mission; NATO member countries that possess air combat capabilities voluntarily contribute to the mission on four-month rotations; NATO fighter aircraft are hosted at Lithuania’s Šiauliai Air Base (2024)
Refugees (country of origin): 41,490 (Ukraine) (as of 11 March 2024)
Stateless persons: 2,720 (2022)
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