Lithuania

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.

Land

62,680 sq km

Total

65,300 sq km

Water

2,620 sq km

slightly larger than West Virginia

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

90 km

Europe

Highest point

Aukstojas 294 m

Lowest point

Baltic Sea 0 m

Mean elevation

110 m

56 00 N, 24 00 E

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

61 sq km (2020)

Border countries

Belarus 640 km; Latvia 544 km; Poland 100 km; Russia (Kaliningrad) 261 km

number of neighbors

4

Total

1,545 km

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.)

arable land

36.79%

Forest

35.3% (2023 est.)

Other

18.8% (2023 est.)

permanent crops

0.53%

No

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

Salt water lake(s)

Curonian Lagoon (shared with Russia) - 1,620 sq km

Google Maps

https://goo.gl/maps/dd1s9rrLjrK2G8yY6

OpenStreetMap

https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/72596

Europe

Territorial sea

12 nm

occasional floods, droughts

peat, arable land, amber

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

Northern Europe

lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil

UTC+02:00

number of time zones

1

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)

Beer

4.61 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Other alcohols

1.48 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Spirits

4.96 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Total

11.93 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Wine

0.88 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

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

Women married by age 15

0% (2022)

Women married by age 18

0.2% (2022)

1%

1.1% (2021 est.)

51.8% (2024 est.)

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

adult female

70 per 1,000

adult male

181 per 1,000

Elderly dependency ratio

33.3 (2025 est.)

Potential support ratio

3 (2025 est.)

Total dependency ratio

56.5 (2025 est.)

Youth dependency ratio

23.3 (2025 est.)

improved total

96.73%

Improved: rural

rural: 93.8% of population (2022 est.)

Improved: total

total: 98% of population (2022 est.)

Improved: urban

urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: rural

rural: 6.2% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: total

total: 2% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: urban

urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Education expenditure (% GDP)

4.3% of GDP (2022 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

11.8% national budget (2022 est.)

4 % of GDP

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

0.6 (2025 est.)

8 % of GDP

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

7.5% of GDP (2022)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

13% of national budget (2022 est.)

0.12%

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

Female

3.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

4 deaths/1,000 live births

neonatal

2 deaths/1,000 live births

Total

2.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

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)

<br>Pasaulio enciklopedija – naudingas bendrosios informacijos šaltinis. (Lithuanian)<br><br>The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

number of languages

1

Female

81.7 years

Male

70.8 years

Total population

76.1 years (2024 est.)

541,000 VILNIUS (capital) (2023)

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

Female

49.2 years

Male

40.9 years

Total

44 years (2025 est.)

28.2 years (2020 est.)

Adjective

Lithuanian

Noun

Lithuanian(s)

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

26.3% (2016)

6.1 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Female

1,481,087

Male

1,334,600

Total

2,815,687 (2025 est.)

-0.71% (2025 est.)

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.)

improved total

96.4%

Improved: rural

rural: 91.9% of population (2022 est.)

Improved: total

total: 96.7% of population (2022 est.)

Improved: urban

urban: 99% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: rural

rural: 8.1% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: total

total: 3.3% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: urban

urban: 1% of population (2022 est.)

Female

17 years (2022 est.)

Male

16 years (2022 est.)

Total

17 years (2022 est.)

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

At birth

1.06 male(s)/female

Total population

0.86 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Female

16.7% (2025 est.)

Male

38% (2025 est.)

Total

26.6% (2025 est.)

1.22 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Rate of urbanization

-0.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Urban population

68.7% of total population (2023)

measles

86%

60 municipalities (<em>savivaldybe</em>, singular - <em>savivaldybe</em>); 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

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 <em>vilnis</em>, meaning "wave"

Geographic coordinates

54 41 N, 25 19 E

Name

Vilnius

Time difference

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

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

svg

https://mainfacts.com/media/images/coats_of_arms/lt.svg

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

History

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

alternative spellings

LT, Republic of Lithuania, Lietuvos Respublika

Conventional long form

Republic of Lithuania

Conventional short form

Lithuania

Etymology

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

FIFA code

LTU

Former

Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic (while occupied by the USSR)

Local long form

Lietuvos Respublika

local long form (lit)

Lietuvos Respublikos

Local short form

Lietuva

Chief of mission

Ambassador Kara C. McDONALD (since 26 January 2024)

Email address and website

<br>consec@state.gov<br><br>https://lt.usembassy.gov/

Embassy

Akmenu gatve 6, Vilnius, LT-03106

FAX

[370] (5) 266-5510

Mailing address

4510 Vilnius Place, Washington DC&nbsp; 20521-4510

Telephone

[370] (5) 266-5500

Chancery

2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

Chief of mission

Ambassador Gediminas VARVUOLIS (since 5 September 2025)

Consulate(s) general

Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

Email address and website

<br>info@usa.mfa.lt<br><br>https://usa.mfa.lt/usa/en/

FAX

[1] (202) 328-0466

Telephone

[1] (202) 234-5860

Cabinet

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

Chief of state

President Gitanas NAUSEDA (since 12 July 2019)

Election results

<em><br>2024: </em>Gitanas NAUSEDA elected president in second round; percent of vote -Gitanas NAUSEDA (independent) 75.6%, Ingrida SIMONYTE (TS-LKD) 24.4%<br><em><br>2019:</em> Gitanas NAUSEDA elected president in second round; percent of vote - Gitanas NAUSEDA (independent) 66.7%, Ingrida SIMONYTE (independent) 33.3%

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

Expected date of next election

2029

Head of government

Prime Minister Inga RUGINIENE (since 25 September 2025)

Most recent election date

26 May 2024

<strong>description:</strong> three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red<br><br><strong>meaning:</strong> 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

The flag of Lithuania is composed of three equal horizontal bands of yellow, green and red.

svg

https://flagcdn.com/lt.svg

semi-presidential republic

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)

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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

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

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

Electoral system

mixed system

Expected date of next election

October 2028

Legislative structure

unicameral

Legislature name

Parliament (Seimas)

Most recent election date

10/13/2024 to 10/27/2024

Number of seats

141 (all directly elected)

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%

Scope of elections

full renewal

Term in office

4 years

yellow, green, red

Selected World Heritage Site locales

Vilnius Historic Center; Curonian Spit; Kernavė Archaeological Site; Struve Geodetic Arc; Modernist Kaunas: Architecture of Optimism, 1919-1939

Total World Heritage Sites

5 (all cultural)

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

note

<strong>note:</strong> 16 February 1918 was the date Lithuania established its statehood and independence from Soviet Russia and Germany; 11 March 1990 was the date it declared the restoration of statehood and independence from the Soviet Union

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

Center-Right Union or CDS<br>Dawn of Nemunas or PPNA<br>Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania - Christian Families Alliance or LLRA–KŠS<br>Homeland Union or TS-LKD<br>Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union or LVŽS<br>Liberals' Movement or LRLS<br>National Alliance or NS<br>Social Democratic Party of Lithuania or LSDP<br>Union of Democrats for Lithuania or DSVL

Monday

18 years of age; universal

Yes

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

note

<b>note:</b> top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

On alcohol and tobacco

5.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

On food

19.4% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Expenditures

$28.68 billion (2023 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Revenues

$28.011 billion (2023 est.)

code

EUR

name

euro (EUR) [€]

$2.77 billion

Current account balance 2022

-$4.322 billion (2022 est.)

Current account balance 2023

$878.388 million (2023 est.)

Current account balance 2024

$2.101 billion (2024 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

<p>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</p>

Currency

euros (EUR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2020

0.876 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

0.845 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

0.95 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

0.925 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2024

0.924 (2024 est.)

$62.9 billion

Exports 2022

$61.448 billion (2022 est.)

Exports 2023

$61.02 billion (2023 est.)

Exports 2024

$62.896 billion (2024 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

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

note

<b>note:</b> top five export commodities based on value in dollars

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

note

<b>note:</b> top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

net inflows

$4.7 billion

Exports of goods and services

76.5% (2023 est.)

Government consumption

17.3% (2023 est.)

Household consumption

57.3% (2023 est.)

Imports of goods and services

-72.6% (2023 est.)

Investment in fixed capital

23.7% (2023 est.)

Investment in inventories

-1.8% (2023 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agriculture

2.6% (2024 est.)

Industry

23.4% (2024 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Services

63.6% (2024 est.)

$84.869 billion (2024 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate

$29,384

35.7 (2018)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2022

36.6 (2022 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

$83.41 billion

$27,150

20 % of GDP

Highest 10%

28.7% (2022 est.)

Lowest 10%

2.5% (2022 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

$58.5 billion

Imports 2022

$62.916 billion (2022 est.)

Imports 2023

$57.899 billion (2023 est.)

Imports 2024

$58.491 billion (2024 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

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

note

<b>note:</b> top five import commodities based on value in dollars

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

note

<b>note:</b> top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

3.2% (2024 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

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

0.72%

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

19.7% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

9.1% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024

0.7% (2024 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> annual % change based on consumer prices

1.548 million (2024 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

total

1.53 million persons

agriculture

4.66%

industry

25.9%

services

69.44%

20.9% (2021 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> % of population with income below national poverty line

Note

<b>note:</b> central government debt as a % of GDP

Public debt 2023

36.9% of GDP (2023 est.)

$159.68 billion

Note

<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$132.099 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$132.552 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

$136.227 billion (2024 est.)

2.77%

Note

<b>note:</b> annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP growth rate 2022

2.5% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

0.3% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2024

2.8% (2024 est.)

$55,286

Note

<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2022

$46,700 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$46,200 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2024

$47,200 (2024 est.)

$1.05 billion

Note

<b>note:</b> personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Remittances 2022

1% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2023

1.2% of GDP (2023 est.)

Remittances 2024

1.2% of GDP (2024 est.)

$7.41 billion

Note

<b>note:</b> holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

$5.365 billion (2022 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

$6.168 billion (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024

$7.406 billion (2024 est.)

34 % of GDP

21 % of GDP

21.4% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

6.73%

Note

<b>note:</b> % of labor force seeking employment

Unemployment rate 2022

6% (2022 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

6.9% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate 2024

7.6% (2024 est.)

Female

11.7% (2024 est.)

Male

16.3% (2024 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Total

14.1% (2024 est.)

Consumption

166,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Exports

78,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Imports

149,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Consumption

10.992 billion kWh (2023 est.)

consumption per capita

4,203 kWh

Exports

3.98 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Imports

10.91 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Installed generating capacity

5.426 million kW (2023 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses

829.9 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

Biomass and waste

13.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Fossil fuels

16.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectric

16.53%

Hydroelectricity

4.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

nuclear

0%

renewable

65.61%

Solar

14.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Wind

51% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

2,437 kg of oil equivalent

Total energy consumption per capita 2023

83.7 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Consumption

1.49 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

Exports

1.867 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

Imports

3.282 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down

2 (2025)

Crude oil estimated reserves

12 million barrels (2021 est.)

Refined petroleum consumption

67,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)

Total petroleum production

4,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

33.2%

per 100 inhabitants

28 per 100

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

28 (2023 est.)

Total

806,000 (2023 est.)

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&nbsp;

.lt

Percent of population

89% (2023 est.)

LT-#####

+370

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

8 (2023 est.)

Total subscriptions

224,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100

137 per 100

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

139 (2024 est.)

Total subscriptions

3.97 million (2024 est.)

passengers carried

29,256 passengers

registered carrier departures

2,217 departures

64 (2025)

LY

Right

2 (2025)

By type

container ship 3, general cargo 19, oil tanker 2, other 35

Total

59 (2023)

Key ports

Butinge Oil Terminal, Klaipeda

Large

0

Medium

1

Ports with oil terminals

2

Small

0

Total ports

2 (2024)

Very small

1

Total

1,911 km (2020) 152 km electrified

LT

armored vehicles

tanks

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<br><br>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)

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)

active duty personnel

37,000

note

<strong>note 1: </strong>the National Rifleman's Union is a civilian paramilitary organization supported by the Lithuanian Government, which cooperates with the military but is not part of it; however, in a state of war, its armed formations would fall under the Armed Forces<br><br><strong>note 2:</strong> the Lithuanian Police and State Border Guard Service are under the Ministry of Interior; in wartime, the State Border Guard Service becomes part of the armed forces

percent of total labor force

2.48 %

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

<strong>note: </strong>contributes about 350-550 troops to the Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine joint military brigade (LITPOLUKRBRIG), which was established in 2014; the brigade is headquartered in Poland and is comprised of an international staff, three battalions, and specialized units; units affiliated with the multinational brigade remain within the structures of the armed forces of their respective countries until the brigade is activated for participation in an international operation

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

3 % of GDP

current USD

$2,627,474,142

Military Expenditures 2021

2% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military Expenditures 2022

2.4% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military Expenditures 2023

2.7% of GDP (2023 est.)

Military Expenditures 2024

3.1% of GDP (2024 est.)

Military Expenditures 2025

4% of GDP (2025 est.)

percent of central government expenditure

7.92 %

percent of GDP

3.12 % of GDP

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)

note

<strong>note 1:</strong> in 2015, Lithuania reinstated conscription after having converted to a professional military in 2008; it conscripts up to 4,000 men each year; conscripts are selected using an automated lottery system<br><br><strong>note 2:</strong> as of 2020, women comprised about 12% of the military's full-time personnel

PowerIndex score

1.8949

Refugees

53,859 (2024 est.)

Stateless persons

2,236 (2024 est.)

From coal and metallurgical coke

380,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From consumed natural gas

2.887 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From petroleum and other liquids

9.61 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Total emissions

12.877 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

water pollution; air pollution; deforestation; groundwater pollution from chemicals and waste; soil degradation and erosion

Party to

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

Signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

11.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

18 % of total land area

44 % of total

24.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

2 % of internal resources

Agricultural

58.74 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Industrial

87.96 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Municipal

136.78 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Municipal solid waste generated annually

1.315 million tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled

34.9% (2022 est.)