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Lithuania

Republic of Lithuania

Europe Vilnius

Population

2.82M

Area

65,300 km²

GDP

$84.87B

GDP Per Capita

$47,200

Pop. Density

43/km²

Quick Facts

Currency

euro(EUR)

Calling Code

+370

Timezone

UTC+02:00

Languages

Lithuanian

Driving Side

right

Demonym

Lithuanian

Map of Lithuania

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.

Historical Trends

GDP (USD)

↑181.8% since 2006
$30B (2006)$85B (2024)

Population

↓11.7% since 2006
3.3M (2006)2.9M (2024)

Life Expectancy at Birth

Latest: 77.0 years
2006: 71.1 years2023: 77.0 years

Data source: World Bank Open Data

Geography18

Location

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia, west of Belarus

Geographic coordinates

56 00 N, 24 00 E

Map references

Europe

Area

total : 65,300 sq km
land: 62,680 sq km
water: 2,620 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than West Virginia

Land boundaries

total: 1,545 km
border countries: Belarus 640 km; Latvia 544 km; Poland 100 km; Russia (Kaliningrad) 261 km

Coastline

90 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate

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

Terrain

lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil

Elevation

highest point: Aukstojas 294 m
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
mean elevation: 110 m

Natural resources

peat, arable land, amber

Land use

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.)

forest

35.3% (2023 est.)

other

18.8% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

61 sq km (2020)

Major lakes (area sq km)

salt water lake(s): Curonian Lagoon (shared with Russia) - 1,620 sq km

Population distribution

fairly even population distribution throughout the country, but somewhat greater concentrations in the southern cities of Vilnius and Kaunas, as well as the western port of Klaipeda

Natural hazards

occasional floods, droughts

Geography - note

fertile central plains are separated by hilly uplands that are ancient glacial deposits

People & Society35

Population

total: 2,815,687 (2025 est.)
male: 1,334,600
female: 1,481,087

Nationality

noun: Lithuanian(s)
adjective: Lithuanian

Ethnic groups

Lithuanian 84.6%, Polish 6.5%, Russian 5%, Belarusian 1%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.8% (2021 est.)

Languages

Languages: 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.

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.)

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)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 56.5 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 23.3 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 33.3 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 3 (2025 est.)

Median age

total: 44 years (2025 est.)
male: 40.9 years
female: 49.2 years

Population growth rate

-0.71% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

7.01 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

14.1 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Population distribution

fairly even population distribution throughout the country, but somewhat greater concentrations in the southern cities of Vilnius and Kaunas, as well as the western port of Klaipeda

Urbanization

urban population: 68.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: -0.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population

541,000 VILNIUS (capital) (2023)

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
65 years and over: 0.53 male(s)/female
total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

28.2 years (2020 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

8 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 2.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
male: 4 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 76.1 years (2024 est.)
male: 70.8 years
female: 81.7 years

Total fertility rate

1.22 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.6 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban

urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

rural: 93.8% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

total: 98% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

rural: 6.2% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 2% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP): 7.5% of GDP (2022)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 13% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

6.1 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Hospital bed density

6 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban

urban: 99% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

rural: 91.9% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

total: 96.7% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 1% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

rural: 8.1% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 3.3% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

26.3% (2016)

Alcohol consumption per capita

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.)

Tobacco use

total: 26.6% (2025 est.)
male: 38% (2025 est.)
female: 16.7% (2025 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

1.1% (2021 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

51.8% (2024 est.)

Child marriage

women married by age 15: 0% (2022)
women married by age 18: 0.2% (2022)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP): 4.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 11.8% national budget (2022 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 17 years (2022 est.)
male: 16 years (2022 est.)
female: 17 years (2022 est.)

Government23

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 (while occupied by the USSR)

etymology

meaning of the name is obscure; may be derived from the local words lietava, meaning "small river," or lietus, meaning "rain" or "land of rain," or the Latin word litus, meaning "shore"

Government type

semi-presidential republic

Capital

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; the river name is said to derive from the Lithuanian word vilnis, meaning "wave"

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

Legal system

civil law system; legislative acts can be appealed to the Constitutional Court

Constitution

history: several previous; latest adopted by referendum 25 October 1992, entered into force 2 November 1992
amendment process: 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

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state

President Gitanas NAUSEDA (since 12 July 2019)

head of government

Prime Minister Inga RUGINIENE (since 25 September 2025)

cabinet

Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the president, approved by Parliament

election/appointment process

president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president, approved by Parliament

most recent election date

26 May 2024

election results


2024:
Gitanas NAUSEDA elected president in second round; percent of vote -Gitanas NAUSEDA (independent) 75.6%, Ingrida SIMONYTE (TS-LKD) 24.4%

2019:
Gitanas NAUSEDA elected president in second round; percent of vote - Gitanas NAUSEDA (independent) 66.7%, Ingrida SIMONYTE (independent) 33.3%

expected date of next election

2029

Legislative branch

legislature name

Parliament (Seimas)

legislative structure

unicameral

number of seats

141 (all directly elected)

electoral system

mixed system

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

4 years

most recent election date

10/13/2024 to 10/27/2024

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)

percentage of women in chamber

28.4%

expected date of next election

October 2028

Judicial branch

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

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Gediminas VARVUOLIS (since 5 September 2025)

chancery

2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone

[1] (202) 234-5860

FAX

[1] (202) 328-0466

email address and website


[email protected]

https://usa.mfa.lt/usa/en/

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Kara C. McDONALD (since 26 January 2024)

embassy

Akmenu gatve 6, Vilnius, LT-03106

mailing address

4510 Vilnius Place, Washington DC  20521-4510

telephone

[370] (5) 266-5500

FAX

[370] (5) 266-5510

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

Independence

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)

National holiday

Independence Day (or National Day), 16 February (1918)

Flag

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

meaning: yellow stands for golden fields, the sun, light, and goodness; green for the forests, nature, freedom, and hope; red for courage and the blood spilled in defense of the homeland

National symbol(s)

mounted knight known as Vytis (the Chaser), white stork

National color(s)

yellow, green, red

National anthem(s)

title: "Tautiska giesme" (The National Song)
lyrics/music: Vincas KUDIRKA
history: adopted 1918, restored 1990; written in 1898 when Lithuania was part of Russia; banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990

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

Economy31

Economic overview

high-income EU and eurozone member, largest Baltic economy; recovery supported by private consumption and EU fund-driven investments; structural challenges include pension reform, aging workforce, and high energy-import costs

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024: $136.227 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $132.552 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $132.099 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2024: 2.8% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 0.3% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 2.5% (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2024: $47,200 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $46,200 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $46,700 (2022 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$84.869 billion (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024: 0.7% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 9.1% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 19.7% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 2.6% (2024 est.)
industry: 23.4% (2024 est.)
services: 63.6% (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption

57.3% (2023 est.)

government consumption

17.3% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital

23.7% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories

-1.8% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services

76.5% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services

-72.6% (2023 est.)

Agricultural products

wheat, milk, sugar beets, rapeseed, barley, potatoes, triticale, oats, beans, peas (2023)

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

3.2% (2024 est.)

Labor force

1.548 million (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2024: 7.6% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 6.9% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 6% (2022 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 14.1% (2024 est.)
male: 16.3% (2024 est.)
female: 11.7% (2024 est.)

Population below poverty line

20.9% (2021 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2022: 36.6 (2022 est.)

Average household expenditures

on food: 19.4% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 5.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.5% (2022 est.)
highest 10%: 28.7% (2022 est.)

Remittances

Remittances 2024: 1.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Remittances 2023: 1.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022: 1% of GDP (2022 est.)

Budget

revenues: $28.011 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures: $28.68 billion (2023 est.)

Public debt

Public debt 2023: 36.9% of GDP (2023 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

21.4% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2024: $2.101 billion (2024 est.)
Current account balance 2023: $878.388 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: -$4.322 billion (2022 est.)

Exports

Exports 2024: $62.896 billion (2024 est.)
Exports 2023: $61.02 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2022: $61.448 billion (2022 est.)

Exports - partners

Latvia 11%, Poland 8%, Germany 7%, Netherlands 6%, Russia 6% (2023)

Exports - commodities

refined petroleum, furniture, plastic products, wheat, cars (2023)

Imports

Imports 2024: $58.491 billion (2024 est.)
Imports 2023: $57.899 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022: $62.916 billion (2022 est.)

Imports - partners

Germany 13%, Poland 13%, Latvia 8%, USA 7%, Norway 5% (2023)

Imports - commodities

crude petroleum, cars, natural gas, packaged medicine, plastic products (2023)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024: $7.406 billion (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $6.168 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $5.365 billion (2022 est.)

Exchange rates

Currency

euros (EUR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2024

0.924 (2024 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

0.925 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

0.95 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

0.845 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

0.876 (2020 est.)

Energy8

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 5.426 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 10.992 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 3.98 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 10.91 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 829.9 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 16.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 14.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 51% 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.)

Nuclear energy

Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down: 2 (2025)

Coal

consumption: 166,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 78,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 149,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production: 4,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 67,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 12 million barrels (2021 est.)

Natural gas

consumption: 1.49 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
exports: 1.867 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports: 3.282 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023: 83.7 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Communications6

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.)

Broadcast media

public broadcaster operates 3 channels, with the third channel (satellite) 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 

Internet country code

.lt

Internet users

percent of population: 89% (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 806,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2023 est.)

Transportation6

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

LY

Airports

64 (2025)

Heliports

2 (2025)

Railways

total: 1,911 km (2020) 152 km electrified

Merchant marine

total: 59 (2023)
by type: container ship 3, general cargo 19, oil tanker 2, other 35

Ports

total ports

2 (2024)

large

0

medium

1

small

0

very small

1

ports with oil terminals

2

key ports

Butinge Oil Terminal, Klaipeda

Military & Security7

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 expenditures

Military Expenditures 2025: 4% of GDP (2025 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024: 3.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023: 2.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 2.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 2% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 20,000 active-duty military personnel (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the military's inventory is a mix of mostly European and US armaments (2025)

Military service age and obligation

19-26 years of age for conscripted military service for men; 9-month service obligation;  18-38 for voluntary service for men and women; 18-60 for the National Defense Volunteer Services (2025)

Military deployments

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

Military - note

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 fighter aircraft are hosted at Lithuania’s Šiauliai Air Base (2025)

Transnational Issues1

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees: 53,859 (2024 est.)
stateless persons: 2,236 (2024 est.)

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