2015 Edition

Background

Lithuanian lands were united under MINDAUGAS in 1236; over the next century, through alliances and conquest, Lithuania extended its territory 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 the person of 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 its remnants were partitioned by surrounding countries. Lithuania regained its independence following World War I but was annexed by the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. On 11 March 1990, Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence, but Moscow did not recognize this proclamation until September of 1991 (following the abortive coup in Moscow). The last Russian troops withdrew in 1993. Lithuania subsequently restructured its economy for integration into Western European institutions; it joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004. In January 2014, Lithuania assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2014-15 term; in January 2015, Lithuania joined the euro zone.

Area

land

62,680 sq km

total

65,300 sq km

water

2,620 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than West Virginia

Climate

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

Coastline

90 km

Elevation extremes

highest point

Aukstojas 294 m

lowest point

Baltic Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

party to

Air Pollution, 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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

per capita

703.8 cu m/yr (2009)

total

2.38 cu km/yr (7%/90%/3%)

Geographic coordinates

56 00 N, 24 00 E

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

13.4 sq km (2007)

Land boundaries

border countries (4)

Belarus 640 km, Latvia 544 km, Poland 104 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 261 km

total

1,549 km

Land use

arable land 34.9%; permanent crops 0.5%; permanent pasture 9.4%

agricultural land

44.8%

forest

34.6%

other

20.6% (2011 est.)

Location

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

peat, arable land, amber

Terrain

lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil

Total renewable water resources

24.9 cu km (2011)

Age structure

0-14 years

14.91% (male 220,460/female 209,501)

15-24 years

11.97% (male 178,332/female 166,985)

25-54 years

40.71% (male 575,323/female 598,912)

55-64 years

13.26% (male 168,354/female 214,201)

65 years and over

19.15% (male 186,458/female 365,907) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

10.1 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

62.9%

note

percent of women aged 18-49 (2006)

Death rate

14.27 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

28.3%

potential support ratio

3.5% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

50.1%

youth dependency ratio

21.8%

Drinking water source

urban: 99.7% of population

rural: 90.4% of population

total: 96.6% of population

urban: 0.3% of population

rural: 9.6% of population

total: 3.4% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

5.2% of GDP (2011)

Ethnic groups

Lithuanian 84.1%, Polish 6.6%, Russian 5.8%, Belarusian 1.2%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.2% (2011 est.)

Health expenditures

6.2% of GDP (2013)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

7 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

female

3.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)

male

4.3 deaths/1,000 live births

total

3.84 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Lithuanian (official) 82%, Russian 8%, Polish 5.6%, other 0.9%, unspecified 3.5% (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

female

80.46 years (2015 est.)

male

69.24 years

total population

74.69 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99.8% (2015 est.)

male

99.8%

total population

99.8%

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

intermediate

vectorborne diseases

tickborne encephalitis (2013)

Major urban areas - population

VILNIUS (capital) 517,000 (2015)

Median age

female

46.3 years (2015 est.)

male

39.3 years

total

43.1 years

Nationality

adjective

Lithuanian

noun

Lithuanian(s)

Net migration rate

-6.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

27.5% (2014)

Physicians density

4.12 physicians/1,000 population (2012)

Population

2,884,433

note

Statistics Lithuania (the national statistical agency of Lithuania) estimates the country's total population at the start of 2013 to be 2,971,905, which takes into account the findings of Lithuania's 2011 census and the high rate of net outmigration since the country joined the EU in 2004 (July 2015 est.)

Population growth rate

-1.04% (2015 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 77.2%, Russian Orthodox 4.1%, Old Believer 0.8%, Evangelical Lutheran 0.6%, Evangelical Reformist 0.2%, other (including Sunni Muslim, Jewish, Greek Catholic, and Karaite) 0.8%, none 6.1%, unspecified 10.1% (2011 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 97.2% of population

rural: 82.8% of population

total: 92.4% of population

urban: 2.8% of population

rural: 17.2% of population

total: 7.6% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

17 years (2012)

male

16 years

total

16 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.07 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.96 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.79 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.51 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

0.85 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.59 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

21.8% (2012 est.)

male

29.9%

total

26.4%

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

-0.53% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

66.5% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

60 municipalities (savivaldybe, singular - savivaldybe); Akmene, Alytaus Miestas, Alytus, Ank?ciai, Bir?tono, Bir?ai, Druskininkai, Elektr?nai, Ignalina, Jonava, Joni?kis, Jurbarkas, Kai?iadorys, Kalvarijos, Kauno Miestas, Kaunas, Kazlu Rudos, Kedainiai, Kelme, Klaipedos Miestas, Klaipeda, Kretinga, Kupi?kis, Lazdijai, Marijampole, Ma?eikiai, Moletai, Neringa, Pag?giai, Pakruojis, Palangos Miestas, Panevezio Miestas, Paneve?ys, Pasvalys, Plunge, Prienai, Radvili?kis, Raseiniai, Rietavo, Roki?kis, ?akiai, ?alcininkai, ?iauliu Miestas, ?iauliai, ?ilale, ?ilute, ?irvintos, Skuodas, ?vencionys, Taurage, Tel?iai, Trakai, Ukmerge, Utena, Varena, Vilkavi?kis, Vilniaus Miestas, Vilnius, Visaginas, Zarasai

Capital

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

54 41 N, 25 19 E

name

Vilnius

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

several previous; latest adopted by referendum 25 October 1992, entered into force 2 November 1992; amended 2003 (2012)

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Lithuania

conventional short form

Lithuania

former

Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic

local long form

Lietuvos Respublika

local short form

Lietuva

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Deborah A. MCCARTHY (since 5 February 2013)

embassy

Akmenu gatve 6, Vilnius, LT-03106

FAX

[370] (5) 266-5510

mailing address

American Embassy, Akmenu Gatve 6, Vilnius LT-03106

telephone

[370] (5) 266-5500

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador Rolandas KRISCIUNAS (since 17 September 2015)

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 328-0466

telephone

[1] (202) 234-5860

Executive branch

cabinet

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

chief of state

President Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE (since 12 July 2009)

election results

Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE reelected president; percent of vote - Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE (independent) 59%, Zigmantas BALCYTIS (LSDP) 41%; Algirdas BUTKEVICIUS (LSDP) approved as prime minister by Parliament vote - 90 of 130

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); election last held on 11 and 25 May 2014 (next to be held in May 2019); prime minister appointed by the president, approved by Parliament

head of government

Prime Minister Algirdas BUTKEVICIUS (since 22 November 2012)

Flag description

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

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Independence

11 March 1990 (declared); 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), 16 February 1918 (independence from Soviet Russia)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UN Security Council (non-permanent), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

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 selected by the Seimas from among nominations by the president, by the Seimas chairperson, and Supreme Court chairperson; judges serve 9-year, nonrenewable terms; note - one-third of court judges reconstituted every 3 years

subordinate courts

Court of Appeals; district and local courts

Legal system

civil law system; legislative acts can be appealed to the constitutional court

Legislative branch

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)

election results

percent of vote by party - DP 19.8%, LSDP 18.4%, TS-LKD 15.1%, LS 8.6%, DK 8%, TT 7.3%, LLRA 5.8%, LVZS 3.9%, other 13.1%; seats by party - LSDP 38, TS-LKD 33, DP 29, TT 11, LS 11, LLRA 8, DK 7, LVZS 1, unaffiliated 3

elections

last held on 14 and 28 October 2012 (next to be held in October 2016)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Vincas KUDIRKA

name

"Tautiska giesme" (The National Song)

note

adopted 1918, restored 1990; written in 1898 while Lithuania was a part of Russia; banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990

National holiday

Independence Day, 16 February (1918); note - 16 February 1918 was the date Lithuania declared its independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 11 March 1990 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union

National symbol(s)

mounted knight known as Vytis (the Chaser), white stork; national colors: yellow, green, red

Political parties and leaders

Christian Party or KP [Gediminas VAGNORIUS]

Democratic Labor and Unity Party or DDVP [Kristina BRAZAUSKIENE]

Electoral Action of Lithuanian Poles or LLRA [Valdemar TOMASEVSKI]

Emigrants Party or EP [Juozas MURAUSKAS]

Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats or TS-LKD [Andrius KUBILIUS]

Labor Party or DP [Loreta GRAUZINIENE]

Liberal and Center Union or LCS [Arturas MELIANAS]

Liberal Movement or LS or LRLS [Eligijus MASIULIS]

Lithuanian People's Party or LLP [Kazimiera PRUNSKIENE]

Lithuanian People's Party or LZP [Joana SIMANAUSKIENE]

Lithuanian Russian Union or LRS [Sergejus DMITRIJEVAS]

Lithuanian Social Democratic Party or LSDP [Algirdas BUTKEVICIUS]

Nationalist Union or TS [Julius PANKA]

Order and Justice Party or TT [Rolandas PAKSAS]

Peasant and Greens Union or LVZS [Ramunas KARBAUSKIS]

Republican Party or RP [Valdemaras VALKIUNAS]

Russian Alliance or RA [Tamara LOCHANKINA]

Socialist People's Front or SLF [Algirdas PALECKIS]

The Union of National Unity or TVS [Algimantas MATULEVICIUS]

Way of Courage or DK [Jonas VARKALA]

YES-Homeland Revival and Perspective or YES Union or TAIP Union or TAIP [Arturas ZUOKAS]

Young Lithuania Party or PJL [Stanislovas BUSKEVICIUS]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

expenditures

$16.58 billion (2014 est.)

revenues

$15.68 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.9% of GDP (2014 est.)

Central bank discount rate

3% (31 December 2010)

2.06% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.3% (31 December 2014 est.)

4.94% (31 December 2013 est.)

Current account balance

-$177 million (2014 est.)

$675 million (2013 est.)

Debt - external

$28.88 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$30.95 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

35.5 (2009)

34 (1999)

Economy - overview

Lithuania gained membership in the World Trade Organization in May 2001 and joined the EU in May 2004. Lithuania's trade with the EU and CIS countries accounts for approximately 87.3% of total trade. Foreign investment and EU funding have aided in the transition from the former planned economy to a market economy. The three former Soviet Baltic republics were severely hit by the 2008-09 financial crisis, but Lithuania has rebounded and become one of the fastest growing economies in the EU. Lithuania’s ongoing recovery hinges on export growth, which is being hampered by economic slowdowns in the EU and Russia. Lithuania joined the euro zone on 1 January 2015.

Exchange rates

litai (LTL) per US dollar -

2.557 (2014 est.)

2.6008 (2013 est.)

2.69 (2012 est.)

2.481 (2011 est.)

2.6063 (2010 est.)

Exports

$31.64 billion (2014 est.)

$31.82 billion (2013 est.)

Exports - commodities

refined fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals, textiles, foodstuffs, plastics

Exports - partners

Russia 20.9%, Latvia 9.2%, Poland 8.3%, Germany 7.3%, Belarus 4.7%, Netherlands 4.5%, Estonia 4.3% (2014)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

(2014 est.)

exports of goods and services

82.5%

government consumption

16.7%

household consumption

63.9%

imports of goods and services

-85.2%

investment in fixed capital

18.9%

investment in inventories

3.2%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

3.7%

industry

28.2%

services

68.1% (2014 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$27,100 (2014 est.)

$26,300 (2013 est.)

$25,500 (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.9% (2014 est.)

3.3% (2013 est.)

3.8% (2012 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$48.23 billion (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$79.63 billion (2014 est.)

$77.36 billion (2013 est.)

$74.92 billion (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

Gross national saving

17.5% of GDP (2014 est.)

24.7% of GDP (2013 est.)

15.1% of GDP (2012 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

29.1% (2008)

lowest 10%

2.6%

Imports

$35.24 billion (2014 est.)

$33.44 billion (2013 est.)

Imports - commodities

oil, natural gas, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, chemicals, textiles and clothing, metals

Imports - partners

Russia 21.7%, Germany 11%, Poland 9.5%, Latvia 6.9%, Italy 4.9%, Netherlands 4.8%, UK 4.1% (2014)

Industrial production growth rate

3% (2014 est.)

Industries

metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, lasers, electronic components, computers, amber jewelry, information technology, video game development, biotechnology

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.2% (2014 est.)

1% (2013 est.)

Labor force

1.454 million (2014 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

7.9%

industry

19.6%

services

72.5% (2012 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$3.964 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

$4.075 billion (31 December 2011)

$5.661 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

4% (2008 est.)

Public debt

38.7% of GDP (2014 est.)

39.3% of GDP (2013 est.)

note

official data; data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities, debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are sold at public auctions

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$8.524 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$8.072 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of broad money

$22.25 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$22.41 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$3.387 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$3.037 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$6.273 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$5.924 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$23.4 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$24.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$15.92 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$15.85 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

32.2% of GDP (2014 est.)

Unemployment rate

10.7% (2014 est.)

11.8% (2013 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

16.69 million Mt (2012 est.)

Crude oil - exports

2,181 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

190,100 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

3,900 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

12 million bbl (1 January 2014 est.)

Electricity - consumption

10.3 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - exports

1.127 billion kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

88.7% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

4% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

7.2% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - imports

8.073 billion kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

3.639 million kW (2011 est.)

Electricity - production

12.27 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

3.32 billion cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - imports

3.32 billion cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

75,270 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

155,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

16,110 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

197,400 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

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 (2007)

Internet country code

.lt

Internet users

percent of population

70.3% (2014 est.)

total

2 million

Radio broadcast stations

AM 29, FM 142, shortwave 1 (2001)

Telephone system

domestic

rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services has resulted in a steady decline in the number of fixed-line connections; mobile-cellular teledensity stands at about 140 per 100 persons

general assessment

adequate; being modernized to provide improved international capability and better residential access

international

country code - 370; major international connections to Denmark, Sweden, and Norway by submarine cable for further transmission by satellite; landline connections to Latvia and Poland (2010)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

20 (2014 est.)

total subscriptions

590,000

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

152 (2014 est.)

total

4.4 million

Television broadcast stations

44 (may have as many as 100 transmitters, including repeater stations) (2008)

Airports

61 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

7

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

2

over 3,047 m

3

total

22

under 914 m

9 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

36 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

2

over 3,047 m

1

total

39

Merchant marine

by type

cargo 20, container 1, passenger/cargo 6, refrigerated cargo 9, roll on/roll off 2

foreign-owned

8 (Denmark 8)

registered in other countries

22 (Antigua and Barbuda 3, Belize 1, Comoros 1, Cook Islands 1, Norway 1, Panama 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 9, unknown 3) (2010)

total

38

Pipelines

gas 1,921 km; refined products 121 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

LNG terminal(s) (import)

Klaipeda

major seaport(s)

Klaipeda

oil terminals

Butinge oil terminal

Railways

broad gauge

1,746 km 1.520-m gauge (122 km electrified)

standard gauge

22 km 1.435-m gauge (2014)

total

1,768 km

Roadways

paved

72,297 km (includes 312 km of expressways)

total

84,166 km

unpaved

11,869 km (2012)

Waterways

441 km (navigable year round) (2007)

Manpower available for military service

females age 16-49

875,780 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

890,074

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

724,803 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

669,111

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

19,527 (2010 est.)

male

20,425

Military branches

Lithuanian Armed Forces (Lietuvos Ginkluotosios Pajegos): Land Forces (Sausumos Pajegos), Naval Forces (Karines Juru Pajegos), Air Forces (Karines Oro Pajegos), Special Forces (Specialiuju Operaciju Pajegos); Volunteer Forces (Savanoriu Pajegos) (2015)

Military expenditures

1.11% of GDP (2015)

0.9% of GDP (2014)

0.8% of GDP (2013)

0.97% of GDP (2012)

0.85% of GDP (2011)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; 1-year service obligation; Lithuania converted to a professional military in the fall of 2008, although the decision continues under judicial review; a new law passed passed in March 2015 restored conscription on a limited basis (2015)

Disputes - international

Lithuania and Russia committed to demarcating their boundary in 2006 in accordance with the land and maritime treaty ratified by Russia in May 2003 and by Lithuania in 1999; Lithuania operates a simplified transit regime for Russian nationals traveling from the Kaliningrad coastal exclave into Russia, while still conforming, as a EU member state having an external border with a non-EU member, to strict Schengen border rules; boundary demarcated with Latvia and Lithuania; as of January 2007, ground demarcation of the boundary with Belarus was complete and mapped with final ratification documents in preparation

Illicit drugs

transshipment and destination point for cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, and opiates from Southwest Asia, Latin America, Western Europe, and neighboring Baltic countries; growing production of high-quality amphetamines, but limited production of cannabis, methamphetamines; susceptible to money laundering despite changes to banking legislation

Refugees and internally displaced persons

stateless persons

3,645 (2014)