2017 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

65,300 sq km 62,680 sq km 2,620 sq km

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

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

elevation extremes

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m

highest point

Aukstojas 294 m

mean elevation

110 m

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

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 none of the selected 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

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

44 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

1,549 km Belarus 640 km, Latvia 544 km, Poland 104 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 261 km

border countries (4)

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

total

1,549 km

Land use

44.8% arable land 34.9%; permanent crops 0.5%; permanent pasture 9.4% 34.6% 20.6% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

44.8%

forest

34.6%

other

20.6% (2011 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

12 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

occasional floods, droughts

Natural resources

peat, arable land, amber

Population - distribution

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

Terrain

lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil

Age structure

15.01% (male 217,438/female 206,533) 11.09% (male 161,965/female 151,197) 40.05% (male 557,504/female 573,364) 14.17% (male 177,157/female 223,110) 19.67% (male 187,859/female 367,732) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

15.01% (male 217,438/female 206,533)

15-24 years

11.09% (male 161,965/female 151,197)

25-54 years

40.05% (male 557,504/female 573,364)

55-64 years

14.17% (male 177,157/female 223,110)

65 years and over

19.67% (male 187,859/female 367,732) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

9.9 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

14.6 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

49.9 21.9 3.6 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

28

potential support ratio

3.6 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

49.9

youth dependency ratio

21.9

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.)

rural

9.6% of population

total

3.4% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0.3% of population

Education expenditures

4.6% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

6.6% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

2,900 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

7 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

3.8 deaths/1,000 live births 4.3 deaths/1,000 live births 3.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

3.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

4.3 deaths/1,000 live births

total

3.8 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

75 years 69.7 years 80.7 years (2017 est.)

female

80.7 years (2017 est.)

male

69.7 years

total population

75 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99.8% 99.8% 99.8% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99.8% (2015 est.)

male

99.8%

total population

99.8%

Major infectious diseases

intermediate tickborne encephalitis (2016)

degree of risk

intermediate

vectorborne diseases

tickborne encephalitis (2016)

Major urban areas - population

VILNIUS (capital) 517,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

10 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

43.7 years 39.7 years 47.1 years (2017 est.)

female

47.1 years (2017 est.)

male

39.7 years

total

43.7 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

27 years (2014 est.)

Nationality

Lithuanian(s) Lithuanian

adjective

Lithuanian

noun

Lithuanian(s)

Net migration rate

-6.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

26.3% (2016)

Physicians density

4.33 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

2,823,859 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

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

Population growth rate

-1.08% (2017 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.)

rural

17.2% of population

total

7.6% of population (2015 est.)

urban

2.8% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

17 years 16 years 17 years (2014)

female

17 years (2014)

male

16 years

total

17 years

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.79 male(s)/female 0.51 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.07 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.97 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

0.86 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.59 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

16.3% 16% 16.6% (2015 est.)

female

16.6% (2015 est.)

male

16%

total

16.3%

Urbanization

66.5% of total population (2017) -0.34% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

-0.34% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

66.5% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

60 municipalities (savivaldybe, singular - savivaldybe); Akmene, Alytaus Miestas, Alytus, Anksciai, Birstono, Birzai, Druskininkai, Elektrenai, Ignalina, Jonava, Joniskis, Jurbarkas, Kaisiadorys, Kalvarijos, 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, Rietavo, Rokiskis, Sakiai, Salcininkai, Siauliu Miestas, Siauliai, Silale, Silute, Sirvintos, Skuodas, Svencionys, Taurage, Telsiai, Trakai, Ukmerge, Utena, Varena, Vilkaviskis, Vilniaus Miestas, Vilnius, Visaginas, Zarasai

Capital

Vilnius 54 41 N, 25 19 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

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)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Lithuania no 10 years

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

several previous; latest adopted by referendum 25 October 1992, entered into force 2 November 1992 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 1996, 2003, 2006 (2016)

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 1996, 2003, 2006 (2016)

history

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

Country name

Republic of Lithuania Lithuania Lietuvos Respublika Lietuva Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic meaning of the name "Lietuva" remains unclear; it may derive from the Lietava, a stream in east central Lithuania

conventional long form

Republic of Lithuania

conventional short form

Lithuania

etymology

meaning of the name "Lietuva" remains unclear; it may derive from the Lietava, a stream in east central Lithuania

former

Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic

local long form

Lietuvos Respublika

local short form

Lietuva

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Anne HALL (since 7 October 2016) Akmenu gatve 6, Vilnius, LT-03106 American Embassy, Akmenu Gatve 6, Vilnius LT-03106 [370] (5) 266-5500 [370] (5) 266-5510

chief of mission

Ambassador Anne HALL (since 7 October 2016)

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

Ambassador Rolandas KRISCIUNAS (since 17 September 2015) 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 234-5860 [1] (202) 328-0466 Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

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

President Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE (since 12 July 2009) Prime Minister Saulius SKVERNELIS (since 13 December 2016) Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the president, and approved by Parliament 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 Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE reelected president in second reound; percent of vote - Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE (independent) 57.9%, Zigmantas BALCYTIS (LSDP) 40.1%, invalid 2%; Saulius SKVERNELIS (LVZS) approved as prime minister by Parliament vote - 90 to 4

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 in second reound; percent of vote - Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE (independent) 57.9%, Zigmantas BALCYTIS (LSDP) 40.1%, invalid 2%; Saulius SKVERNELIS (LVZS) approved as prime minister by Parliament vote - 90 to 4

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 Saulius SKVERNELIS (since 13 December 2016)

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

semi-presidential republic

Independence

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

11 March 1990 (declared independence 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), 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

Supreme Court (consists of 37 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges) 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 - three each by the president of the republic, by the Seimas chairperson, and by the Supreme Court president; judges serve 9-year, nonrenewable terms; one-third of membership reconstituted every 3 years Court of Appeals; district and local courts

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 - three each by the president of the republic, by the Seimas chairperson, and by 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

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

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) last held on 9 and 23 October 2016 (next to be held in October 2020) percent of vote by party - LVLS 22.5%, TS-LKD 22.6%, LSDP 15%, LS 9.5%, LCP-LPP 6.3%, LLRA 5.7%, TT 5.6%, DP 4.9%, LZP 2%, Lithuanian List 1.8%, other 4.1%; seats by party - LVLS 54, TS-LKD 31, LSDP 17, LS 14, LLRA 8, TT 8, DP 2, LCP-LPP 1, LZP 1, Lithuanian List 1, independent 4

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 - LVLS 22.5%, TS-LKD 22.6%, LSDP 15%, LS 9.5%, LCP-LPP 6.3%, LLRA 5.7%, TT 5.6%, DP 4.9%, LZP 2%, Lithuanian List 1.8%, other 4.1%; seats by party - LVLS 54, TS-LKD 31, LSDP 17, LS 14, LLRA 8, TT 8, DP 2, LCP-LPP 1, LZP 1, Lithuanian List 1, independent 4

elections

last held on 9 and 23 October 2016 (next to be held in October 2020)

National anthem

"Tautiska giesme" (The National Song) Vincas KUDIRKA adopted 1918, restored 1990; written in 1898 while Lithuania was a part of Russia; banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990

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 (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

National symbol(s)

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

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

yellow, green, red

Political parties and leaders

Anti-Corruption Coalition or LCP-LPP [Naglis PUTEIKIS and Kristupas KRIVICKAS] Electoral Action of Lithuanian Poles or LLRA [Valdemar TOMASEVSKI] Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats or TS-LKD [Gabrielius LANDSBERGIS] Labor Party or DP [Valentinas MAZURONIS] Liberal Movement or LS or LRLS (vacant) Lithuanian Center Party or LCP [Naglis PUTEIKIS] Lithuanian Green Party or LZP [Linas BALSYS] Lithuanian List [Darius KUOLYS] Lithuanian Pensioners Party or LPP [Kristupas KRIVICKAS] Lithuanian Social Democratic Party or LSDP [Algirdas BUTKEVICIUS] Order and Justice Party or TT [Remigijus ZEMAITAITIS] Peasant and Greens Union or LVZS [Ramunas KARBAUSKIS] (formerly LVLS) Way of Courage or DK [Jonas VARKALA]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$14.73 billion $14.62 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$14.62 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$14.73 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

0% (31 December 2016 est.) 0.05% (31 December 2015 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

2.83% (31 December 2016 est.) 2.96% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-379 million (2016 est.) $-976.7 million (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$34.48 billion (31 March 2016 est.) $31.6 billion (31 March 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

37.9 (2015) 35 (2014)

Economy - overview

After the country declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1990, Lithuania faced an initial dislocation that is typical during transitions from a planned economy to a free-market economy. Macroeconomic stabilization policies, including privatization of most state-owned enterprises, and a strong commitment to a currency board arrangement led to an open and rapidly growing economy and rising consumer demand. Foreign investment and EU funding aided in the transition. Lithuania joined the WTO in May 2001, the EU in May 2004, and the euro zone in January 2015, and is now working to complete the OECD accession roadmap it received in July 2015. The Lithuanian economy was severely hit by the 2008-09 global financial crisis, but it has rebounded and become one of the fastest growing in the EU. In 2015, Russia was Lithuania’s largest trading partner, followed by Poland, Germany, and Latvia; goods and services trade between the US and Lithuania totaled $2.2 billion. Lithuania’s ongoing recovery hinges on improving the business environment, especially by liberalizing labor laws, and improving competitiveness and export growth, the latter of which has been hampered by economic slowdowns in the EU and Russia. In addition, a steady outflow of young and highly educated people is causing a shortage of skilled labor. Lithuania opened a self-financed liquefied natural gas terminal in January 2015, providing the first non-Russian supply of natural gas to the Baltic States and reducing Lithuania’s dependence on Russian gas from 100% to approximately 30% in 2016.

Exchange rates

litai (LTL) per US dollar - 0.9037 (2016 est.) 0.9037 (2015 est.) 0.9012 (2014 est.) 0.7525 (2013 est.) 2.69 (2012 est.)

Exports

$24.23 billion (2016 est.) $24.73 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Russia 13.5%, Latvia 9.9%, Poland 9.1%, Germany 7.7%, Estonia 5.3%, US 5.2%, Sweden 4.8%, UK 4.3% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

65.1% 17.7% 18.6% -2.3% 74.3% -73.5% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

74.3%

government consumption

17.7%

household consumption

65.1%

imports of goods and services

-73.5% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

18.6%

investment in inventories

-2.3%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

3.3% 28.7% 68.1% (2016 est.)

agriculture

3.3%

industry

28.7%

services

68.1% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$30,000 (2016 est.) $29,000 (2015 est.) $28,200 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.3% (2016 est.) 1.8% (2015 est.) 3.5% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$42.76 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$86.05 billion (2016 est.) $83.06 billion (2015 est.) $80.73 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

15.5% of GDP (2016 est.) 17.6% of GDP (2015 est.) 22.3% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.2% 28.8% (2015)

highest 10%

28.8% (2015)

lowest 10%

2.2%

Imports

$26.35 billion (2016 est.) $26.94 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Russia 14.4%, Germany 12.1%, Poland 10.8%, Latvia 8%, Italy 5.4%, Netherlands 4.8%, Sweden 4.4% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

0.3% (2016 est.)

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.7% (2016 est.) -0.7% (2015 est.)

Labor force

1.478 million (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

9.1% 25.2% 65.8% (2015 est.)

agriculture

9.1%

industry

25.2%

services

65.8% (2015 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$6.76 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $6.799 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $7.127 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Population below poverty line

22.2% (2015 est.)

Public debt

40.2% of GDP (2016 est.) 42.7% of GDP (2015 est.) 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

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

$2.602 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.697 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$24.87 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $23.94 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$4.48 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $4.155 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$15.87 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $16.24 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$28.55 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $24.43 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$20.93 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $19.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

34.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

7.9% (2016 est.) 9.1% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

11.2 million Mt (2015 est.)

Crude oil - exports

1,238 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

160,800 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

2,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

12 million bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

9.848 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

730 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

59.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

3.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

18.3% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

7.938 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

3.641 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

3.433 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

2.93 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - imports

2.2 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

53,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

145,600 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

27,520 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

174,800 bbl/day (2014 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

2,122,884 74.4% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

74.4% (July 2016 est.)

total

2,122,884

Telephone system

adequate; being modernized to provide improved international capability and better residential access 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 145 per 100 persons 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 (2016)

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 145 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 (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

530,871 19 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

19 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

530,871

Telephones - mobile cellular

4,204,692 147 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

147 (July 2016 est.)

total

4,204,692

Airports

61 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

9 (2017)

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 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

36 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

2

over 3,047 m

1

total

39

under 914 m

36 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

LY (2016)

Merchant marine

cargo 20, container 1, passenger/cargo 6, refrigerated cargo 9, roll on/roll off 2 8 (Denmark 8) 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)

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

National air transport system

1,363,950 565,642 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

565,642 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

1,363,950

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

52

number of registered air carriers

2

Pipelines

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

Ports and terminals

Klaipeda Butinge oil terminal Klaipeda

LNG terminal(s) (import)

Klaipeda

major seaport(s)

Klaipeda

oil terminal(s)

Butinge oil terminal

Railways

1,768 km 1,746 km 1.520-m gauge (122 km electrified) 22 km 1.435-m gauge (2014)

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

84,166 km 72,297 km (includes 312 km of expressways) 11,869 km (2012)

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)

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) (2016)

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) (2016)

Military expenditures

1.49% of GDP (2016) 1.14% of GDP (2015) 0.88% of GDP (2014) 0.76% of GDP (2013) 0.77% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for military service; 9-month service obligation; in 2015, Lithuania reinstated conscription after having converted to a professional military in the fall of 2008 (2016)

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

3,466 (2016)

stateless persons

3,466 (2016)