Lithuania

World Book Index

Introduction

Background
Lithuanian lands were united in 1236. Over the next century, 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. The USSR annexed Lithuania in 1940. In 1990, Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence.

Geography

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

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

Natural resources
peat, arable land, amber

People and Society

Population
total: 2,628,186 (2024 est.)

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

Languages
Lithuanian (official) 85.3%, Russian 6.8%, Polish 5.1%, other 1.1%, two mother tongues 1.7% (2021 est.)

Religions
Roman Catholic 74.2%, Russian Orthodox 3.7%, Old Believer 0.6%, Evangelical Lutheran 0.6%, Evangelical Reformist 0.2%, other (including Sunni Muslim, Jewish, Greek Catholic, and Karaite) 0.9%, none 6.1%, unspecified 13.7% (2021 est.)

Population growth rate
-1.05% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
semi-presidential republic

Capital
name: Vilnius

Executive branch
chief of state: President Gitanas NAUSEDA (since 12 July 2019)
head of government: Acting Prime Minister Rimantas SADZIUS (since 4 August 2025)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Gediminas VARVUOLIS (since 5 September 2025)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Kara C. McDONALD (since 26 January 2024)

Economy

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

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

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

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

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

Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, furniture, plastic products, wheat, cars (2023)

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

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

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

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.895, ranking it 39th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 1st out of 158 countries tested with a score of 7.795. (more information)