# Lithuania

> country in northeastern Europe

**Wikidata**: [Q37](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q37)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuania)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lithuania

## Summary
Lithuania is a sovereign state and unitary parliamentary republic located in northeastern Europe, specifically within the Baltic states region. It regained its independence from the Soviet Union on March 11, 1990, following a history that includes the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic. The country is bordered by Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, Poland to the southwest, and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad to the west, with a coastline along the Baltic Sea.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name**: Lietuvos Respublika (Republic of Lithuania).
- **Capital**: Vilnius (since 1939; Kaunas served as the temporary capital from 1920 to 1939).
- **Independence Dates**: February 16, 1918 (Act of Independence); March 11, 1990 (Act of Re-Establishment of the State); September 6, 1991 (UN recognition).
- **Population**: 2,860,002 (as of January 1, 2023, demographic balance).
- **Area**: 65,300 square kilometres.
- **Continent**: Europe (Northern Europe).
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 55.2, Longitude 24.
- **Highest Point**: Aukštojas Hill (293.84 metres).
- **Lowest Point**: Nemunas Delta (-5 metres).
- **Currency**: Euro (since January 1, 2015); previously Lithuanian litas (until December 31, 2014).
- **Official Language**: Lithuanian.
- **Government Type**: Semi-presidential system / Parliamentary republic.
- **Head of State**: Gitanas Nausėda (since July 12, 2019).
- **Head of Government**: Inga Ruginienė (since September 25, 2025).
- **Legislative Body**: Seimas (141 seats).
- **Timezone**: UTC+02:00 (Standard), UTC+03:00 (Daylight Saving); Europe/Vilnius.
- **Emergency Number**: 112.
- **International Calling Code**: +370.
- **Internet TLD**: .lt.
- **ISO Codes**: LT (Alpha-2), LTU (Alpha-3), 440 (Numeric).
- **Driving Side**: Right.
- **Electricity**: 220V, 50Hz; Plug types: Europlug, Type L.
- **VAT Rate**: 21%.
- **Patron Saint**: Saint Casimir.
- **Motto**: "Vienybė težydi" (Let unity bloom).
- **Bordering Countries**: Latvia, Belarus, Poland, Russia, Sweden (maritime).
- **Administrative Divisions**: 10 counties (Alytus, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Marijampolė, Panevėžys, Šiauliai, Tauragė, Telšiai, Utena, Vilnius) containing 60 municipalities.
- **Democracy Index**: 7.13 (2020).
- **Human Development Index**: 0.875 (2021), classified as "Very High".
- **GDP (Nominal)**: $70.33 billion (2022).
- **Life Expectancy**: 76 years (2022).
- **Unemployment Rate**: 11% (2014).
- **Gini Coefficient**: 35.3 (2019).

## FAQs
**What is the political status and government structure of Lithuania?**
Lithuania operates as a semi-presidential parliamentary republic where the President serves as the head of state and the Prime Minister as the head of government. The legislative power is vested in the unicameral Seimas, which consists of 141 members elected for four-year terms. The country maintains a strong tradition of democratic governance, ranking highly on global democracy indices.

**Which international organizations is Lithuania a member of?**
Lithuania is a member of the United Nations (since 1991), the European Union (since 2004), NATO (since 2004), and the Schengen Area (since 2007). It also participates in the World Trade Organization, UNESCO, the Council of Europe, the OECD, and various other bodies like the Baltic Assembly and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

**How has Lithuania's population changed in recent decades?**
The population has experienced a significant decline, dropping from over 3.6 million in 1996 to approximately 2.86 million in 2023 due to demographic balance factors. The society is highly urbanized, with the urban population exceeding 1.9 million in 2022 compared to a rural population of roughly 893,000.

**What are the key economic indicators and currency details for Lithuania?**
The economy is characterized by a nominal GDP of approximately $70.33 billion as of 2022, with a VAT rate of 21%. Lithuania adopted the Euro on January 1, 2015, replacing the Lithuanian litas, and maintains a Gini coefficient of 35.3 as of 2019, indicating moderate income inequality.

**What is the historical timeline of Lithuania's independence?**
Modern Lithuania traces its sovereignty to the Act of Independence on February 16, 1918, which established the state after World War I. Following Soviet occupation, the country declared the re-establishment of independence on March 11, 1990, and was internationally recognized by the UN on September 6, 1991.

## Why It Matters
Lithuania serves as a critical geopolitical bridge between the European Union and the post-Soviet space, playing a pivotal role in regional security and stability. As a founding member of the Baltic states, it has successfully transitioned from a Soviet republic to a high-income economy with "Very High" human development, serving as a model for post-communist reform. The country is a significant contributor to NATO's eastern flank security and acts as a hub for digital innovation and green energy initiatives within the EU. Its strategic location on the Baltic Sea facilitates trade and cultural exchange, while its robust democratic institutions and commitment to human rights distinguish it as a stable partner in international affairs. Lithuania's proactive stance on global issues, including its support for Taiwan and its leadership in the Baltic region, amplifies its influence beyond its demographic size.

## Notable For
- **Firsts in Independence**: The first Soviet republic to declare independence from the USSR on March 11, 1990.
- **High Democracy Ranking**: Consistently ranked among the top democracies in the world with a Democracy Index score of 7.13 (2020).
- **Baltic State Leadership**: A core member of the Baltic states alongside Latvia and Estonia, fostering regional cooperation.
- **Euro Adoption**: Successfully transitioned to the Euro in 2015, integrating deeply into the Eurozone economy.
- **Digital Governance**: Recognized for advanced e-government services and digital infrastructure.
- **Patron Saint**: Unique designation of Saint Casimir as the national patron saint.
- **Historic Capital**: Vilnius, one of the largest and best-preserved old towns in Northern Europe.
- **High HDI**: Classified as having "Very High" human development with an index of 0.875 (2021).
- **Baltic Sea Access**: Possesses a strategic coastline on the Baltic Sea, crucial for maritime trade.
- **Schengen and Eurozone Member**: Fully integrated into the EU's border-free travel and monetary zones.

## Body

### History and Independence
Lithuania's modern statehood began with the Act of Independence of Lithuania on February 16, 1918, declaring sovereignty after the collapse of the Russian Empire. The country was subsequently occupied by the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany during World War II. On March 11, 1990, the Supreme Council of the Lithuanian SSR adopted the Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania, becoming the first Soviet republic to declare independence. This move led to a period of tension with Moscow, culminating in international recognition on September 6, 1991, when the UN admitted Lithuania as a member state. The country's history also includes the era of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which dates back to 1236, and the period of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1940 to 1990.

### Geography and Environment
Located in northeastern Europe, Lithuania covers an area of 65,300 square kilometres. The country lies at coordinates 55.2°N, 24°E and is part of the Baltic states region. Its landscape features rolling plains and low hills, with the highest point being Aukštojas Hill at 293.84 metres and the lowest point in the Nemunas Delta at -5 metres. Lithuania shares land borders with Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, Poland to the southwest, and Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) to the west. The Baltic Sea forms its western boundary. The country is situated within the Northern Europe subregion and is part of the Baltic Sea drainage basin.

### Government and Politics
Lithuania functions as a semi-presidential parliamentary republic. The President, currently Gitanas Nausėda (since July 12, 2019), serves as the head of state, while the Prime Minister, currently Inga Ruginienė (since September 25, 2025), leads the government. The legislative power is held by the Seimas, a unicameral parliament with 141 seats. The highest judicial authority is the Constitutional Court of Lithuania, established in 1993. The country is a "free country" according to Freedom in the World rankings and has a BTI Governance Index score of 7.21 (2022). The political system is characterized by a multi-party structure and regular democratic elections.

### Demographics and Society
As of January 1, 2023, the population of Lithuania was 2,860,002, showing a decline from 3.6 million in 1996. The society is highly urbanized, with 1,938,682 people living in urban areas and 892,957 in rural areas as of 2022. The official language is Lithuanian, though Russian, Polish, and Belarusian are also spoken. The life expectancy at birth is 76 years (2022), and the total fertility rate was 1.59 in 2014. The age of majority is 18, and the marriageable age is also 18 for all genders. The suicide rate was recorded at 20.2 per 100,000 people in 2019.

### Economy and Infrastructure
Lithuania's economy is a mixed market economy with a nominal GDP of $70.33 billion in 2022. The currency is the Euro, adopted on January 1, 2015, replacing the Lithuanian litas. The central bank is the Bank of Lithuania. Key economic indicators include a VAT rate of 21%, an unemployment rate of 11% (2014), and a Gini coefficient of 35.3 (2019). The country drives on the right side of the road and uses a 220V/50Hz electrical system with Europlug and Type L sockets. The infrastructure includes a well-developed road network and participation in the Trans-European Transport Network.

### International Relations and Memberships
Lithuania is an active member of the United Nations (joined September 17, 1991), the European Union (joined May 1, 2004), and NATO (joined March 29, 2004). It is also a member of the Schengen Area (since December 21, 2007), the World Trade Organization (since May 31, 2001), and the OECD (since July 5, 2018). The country maintains diplomatic relations with numerous nations, including the United States, China, Russia, and Poland. Lithuania is a member of the Baltic Assembly and the Council of the Baltic Sea States, fostering regional cooperation.

### Symbols and Culture
The national flag of Lithuania consists of three horizontal stripes of yellow, green, and red, adopted in its current form on September 1, 2004. The national anthem is "Tautiška giesmė" (The National Hymn). The coat of arms features the Vytis, a knight on horseback. The national motto is "Vienybė težydi" (Let unity bloom). The patron saint of the country is Saint Casimir. The national language is Lithuanian, and the country is known for its rich cultural heritage, including amber jewelry and traditional folk music.

### Administrative Divisions
Lithuania is divided into 10 counties: Alytus, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Marijampolė, Panevėžys, Šiauliai, Tauragė, Telšiai, Utena, and Vilnius. These counties are further subdivided into 60 municipalities, including city municipalities, district municipalities, and a single municipality (Birštonas). The capital, Vilnius, is a city municipality and the seat of the national government. Other major cities include Kaunas, Klaipėda, and Šiauliai. The administrative structure supports local governance and regional development.

### Technical Identifiers and Standards
Lithuania uses the .lt top-level internet domain and the international calling code +370. The country's ISO codes are LT (Alpha-2), LTU (Alpha-3), and 440 (Numeric). The M49 code is 440. The emergency phone number is 112. The mobile country code is 246. The maritime identification digits are 277. The aircraft registration prefix is LY. The license plate code is LT. The country is part of the European Economic Area and the Schengen Area. The time zone is Europe/Vilnius (UTC+02:00/UTC+03:00).

## References

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6. [Source](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17536867)
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17. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/lithuania)
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40. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI)
41. [Source](http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS)
42. [CVCE.eu](https://www.cvce.eu/en/obj/changes_in_the_distribution_of_seats_in_the_european_parliament-en-e6d28948-3fa8-4fe7-a552-1b062bc6fb47.html)
43. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
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