Lithuania
Lithuania is a vibrant Baltic nation in Northern Europe recognized for its rapid economic modernization and high-tech industrial base. The country has an estimated population of approximately 2.92 million and maintains a strong financial position with a current GDP per capita of approximately 31,036 USD.
Where is Lithuania?
Lithuania
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Lithuania
- Coordinates
- 56.00°, 24.00°
Population Details
- Population
- 2.9M
- Area
- 65,300 km²
- Density per km²
- 45 / km²
- Growth rate
- +0.58%
- Annual growth
- +16.9K people
- Daily growth
- +46.4 people
- World population share
- 0.04%
Population & Social Snapshot
Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Lithuania
Age Distribution
Urbanization
Health & Education Benchmarks
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Vilnius
- Region
- Europe
- Area
- 65,300 km²
- Languages
- Lithuanian
- Currency
- euro (€)
- Timezones
- UTC+02:00
- UN Member
- Yes
Economy
The Lithuanian economy is characterized by a steady annual growth rate of 2.77% and a diverse industrial landscape ranging from traditional furniture manufacturing to cutting-edge biotechnology and laser physics. Current data shows an unemployment rate of 6.73%, which allows Lithuania to rank 66th globally for the lowest unemployment. Recent estimates place the nation's GDP per capita at 55th in the world and 28th within Europe, reflecting its successful transition into a high-income Eurozone economy. Strategic logistics and transport sectors benefit significantly from the 90 km (56 mi) coastline on the Baltic Sea and proximity to major regional markets.
Society
Social development in Lithuania is highlighted by an exceptional adult literacy rate of 99.8%, which ranks 12th globally. The nation has prioritized digital infrastructure, resulting in 89.2% of the population being active internet users, a figure that ranks 68th among all nations. Life expectancy at birth is approximately 77.2 years, placing the country 82nd in the global ranking. These indicators are supported by a public education system with a strong emphasis on STEM fields and a comprehensive healthcare framework that has evolved significantly since the country regained independence.
Climate & Environment
Lithuania experiences a transitional climate that moves between maritime and continental patterns, leading to moderately cold winters and mild, pleasant summers. Average winter temperatures often hover around -5 °C (23 °F), while summer days typically reach about 20 °C (68 °F) to 25 °C (77 °F). This temperate environment supports vast forests and fertile arable land, which remains a key natural resource for the country.
Government & Politics
- Government Type
- semi-presidential republic
- Independence
- 1990-03-11 (Soviet Union)
Lithuania is a semi-presidential republic where the President serves as the head of state and the Prime Minister acts as the head of government. The President is directly elected and holds significant authority over foreign policy and national security, also appointing the Prime Minister with the approval of the Seimas. The Seimas is a unicameral legislative body consisting of 141 members elected to four-year terms through a mixed voting system. The political landscape is characterized by a multi-party system, often requiring coalition governments to ensure stability. Judicial power is independent, with the Constitutional Court ensuring legislation aligns with the country's supreme law. Since restoring independence on 11 March 1990, Lithuania has focused on Euro-Atlantic integration, becoming a member of the United Nations, NATO, and the European Union. The administrative structure is centralized, though local municipalities manage regional affairs. Military expenditure reflects a strong commitment to defense, recently recorded at 3.11817486440289% of GDP.
History
Lithuania has a deep historical legacy, once serving as the center of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which in the 14th century was the largest state in Europe, stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea. In 1569, the Union of Lublin created the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, a significant political entity until the partitions by neighboring powers in the late 18th century, which brought the territory under the control of the Russian Empire. Lithuania briefly re-established independence in 1918 following World War I, only to be occupied by the Soviet Union in 1940 and subsequently by Nazi Germany. Following decades of Soviet rule, Lithuania became the first Soviet republic to declare the restoration of its independence on 11 March 1990. This move was a catalyst for the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union. Since then, the nation has undergone a rapid democratic and economic transformation. Modern Lithuania is defined by its proactive role in international organizations, having joined both NATO and the European Union in 2004. The capital, Vilnius, stands as a symbol of this evolution, blending its UNESCO-listed Baroque Old Town with a contemporary skyline that reflects the nation's status as a thriving Northern European democracy.
Notable Facts
- Lithuanian is among the world's oldest living languages, retaining many archaic features of Proto-Indo-European that have been lost in other modern tongues.
- The country's highest point, Aukštojas Hill, reaches 294 m (965 ft) above sea level, while its lowest point is the Baltic Sea coast at 0 m (0 ft).
- Lithuania possesses a modest coastline of 90 km (56 mi) along the Baltic Sea, which is a significant source of amber, often referred to as Baltic gold and found washed up on the shores.
- The Hill of Crosses, located near Šiauliai, is a unique pilgrimage site featuring hundreds of thousands of crosses, symbolizing national identity and religious endurance.
- The nation covers an area of 65300 km² (25212 sq mi), making it the largest of the three Baltic states by landmass.
Geography
- Highest Point
- Aukštojas Hill (294 m)
- Lowest Point
- Baltic Sea (0 m)
- Coastline
- 90 km
Major Cities
Largest Cities in LithuaniaExplore weather and climate data for cities in Lithuania
Climate & Weather
View full climate guideMonthly averages for Vilnius
| Month | Temp | Feels Like | Rain | Sun | Humidity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1°C / -3°C | -4°C / -8°C | 15days (69 mm) Wet | 1.9h Poor | 90% Very Muggy | Poor | View Details |
| February | 1°C / -3°C | -3°C / -8°C | 11days (46 mm) Wet | 4.4h Fair | 84% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| March | 7°C / -1°C | 3°C / -5°C | 8days (33 mm) Wet | 8h Good | 73% Muggy | Poor | View Details |
| April | 12°C / 3°C | 8°C / -1°C | 10days (48 mm) Wet | 9.6h Good | 68% Muggy | Fair | View Details |
| May | 16°C / 6°C | 14°C / 3°C | 12days (79 mm) Wet | 11.6h Excellent | 67% Muggy | Fair | View Details |
| June best | 23°C / 12°C | 22°C / 11°C | 12days (73 mm) Wet | 13h Excellent | 71% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| July best | 24°C / 14°C | 23°C / 13°C | 13days (111 mm) Wet | 12.2h Excellent | 72% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| August best | 23°C / 13°C | 23°C / 13°C | 10days (82 mm) Wet | 11.1h Excellent | 75% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| September best | 19°C / 10°C | 17°C / 7°C | 7days (41 mm) Good | 8.7h Good | 78% Humid | Good | View Details |
| October | 11°C / 5°C | 8°C / 2°C | 13days (69 mm) Wet | 4.7h Fair | 86% Very Muggy | Poor | View Details |
| November | 5°C / 1°C | 1°C / -3°C | 12days (54 mm) Wet | 2h Poor | 91% Very Muggy | Poor | View Details |
| December | 1°C / -3°C | -4°C / -8°C | 13days (51 mm) Wet | 1.4h Poor | 91% Very Muggy | Poor | View Details |
Temperature
Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 1°C / -3°C . Feb: 1°C / -3°C . Mar: 7°C / -1°C . Apr: 12°C / 3°C . May: 16°C / 6°C . Jun: 23°C / 12°C . Jul: 24°C / 14°C . Aug: 23°C / 13°C . Sep: 19°C / 10°C . Oct: 11°C / 5°C . Nov: 5°C / 1°C . Dec: 1°C / -3°C .
Rainfall
Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 69 mm. Feb: 46 mm. Mar: 33 mm. Apr: 48 mm. May: 79 mm. Jun: 73 mm. Jul: 111 mm. Aug: 82 mm. Sep: 41 mm. Oct: 69 mm. Nov: 54 mm. Dec: 51 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The population of Lithuania is approximately 2.9M (2024).
The capital of Lithuania is Vilnius.
Lithuania's GDP per capita is $31K (2024).
Life expectancy in Lithuania is 77.2 years (2024).
Lithuania covers 65,300 km² (25,212 sq mi).
Lithuania is sparsely populated, averaging 45 people per km², below the global average of 60.
Lithuania's population is growing steadily at 0.6% per year, in line with global averages.
Yes — based on GDP per capita, Lithuania falls in the high GDP-per-person tier at $31K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.
Lithuania reports a low intentional homicide rate of 2.6 per 100,000 people, below the global average.
The official language of Lithuania is Lithuanian.
Lithuania uses the euro (€) as its sole official currency.
The best months to visit Lithuania are June, July, August, September, based on climate data for the capital.
The population of Lithuania is currently estimated at approximately 2.92 million people. According to the latest available data, the country has an annual population growth rate of 0.58% and a population density of approximately 46.7 people per km² (121 people per sq mi). Approximately 68.8% of residents live in urban areas like Vilnius.
Lithuania ranks 80th globally in terms of total nominal GDP and 55th in the world for GDP per capita. Recent estimates show a GDP per capita of 31,036 USD, which places the nation 28th in Europe and 11th among 12 subregional peers in Northern Europe. The economy continues to grow at a rate of 2.77% annually.
Lithuania maintains a very high adult literacy rate of 99.8%, which currently ranks 12th in the world. This high level of education is a cornerstone of the nation's workforce, supporting its transition into high-tech sectors like financial technology and biotechnology. The education system remains a primary focus for national development.
The average life expectancy at birth in Lithuania is approximately 77.2 years. This latest figure ranks the country 82nd globally out of 215 nations and territories. Improvements in the healthcare system and public health initiatives have contributed to stable life expectancy trends over the last several decades.
Internet usage is very common in Lithuania, with 89.2% of the total population identified as active internet users. This level of connectivity ranks the country 68th globally. The high percentage reflects Lithuania's strong digital infrastructure and its reputation as a hub for tech startups and digital services in the Baltic region.
The current unemployment rate in Lithuania is 6.73%. When compared to other nations, the latest ranking places Lithuania 66th globally for the lowest unemployment. This figure demonstrates the relative stability of the Lithuanian labor market despite global economic fluctuations and regional shifts.
The estimated 2026 population of Lithuania is approximately 2.9 million people. This is based on the latest official 2024 data of 2,888,278 people. After decades of decline following the 1990s, the population has recently stabilized and begun to grow slightly due to positive migration trends offsetting the low birth rate.
Lithuania is currently ranked global 138 of 215 countries by population. In a regional context, it holds the rank of regional (Europe) 29 of 47 and subregional (Northern Europe) 7 of 12. It remains the most populous of the three Baltic nations, ahead of both Latvia and Estonia.
The current estimated population density of Lithuania is 46.7 people per km² (121 people per sq mi). This density ranks the country global 157 of 215. While the capital city of Vilnius is densely populated, large areas of the country remain rural with much lower concentrations of residents.
The latest official 2024 data indicates a fertility rate of 1.11 births per woman in Lithuania. This is well below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman and is one of the lowest rates globally, ranking the country global 204 of 215 for fertility. This contributes to a natural population decrease.
Approximately 68.8% of Lithuania's population lives in urban areas, according to recent data. This urbanization rank of global 95 of 215 reflects a society that is increasingly focused on major city centers for employment and services, with Vilnius serving as the primary demographic and economic driver for the nation.
All Indicators
Explore Lithuania's data across 50+ indicators
Demographics
Economy
Health
Education
Environment
Military & Security
Infrastructure
Geography
Last updated: