The chapter provides statistical information about the structure and demographic development of the Lithuanian population: birth and death rates, marriages, divorces, international and internal migration.
The main source of statistical information on births, deaths, marriages, divorces, international and internal migration is data of the Population Register of the Republic of Lithuania and the Institute of Hygiene.
At the beginning of 2025, the resident population of Lithuania totalled 2 million 890.7 thousand, i.e. by 4.8 thousand persons more than at the beginning of 2024. The change in the resident population in 2024 was still influenced by an increase in the number of war refugees from Ukraine and a large number of arrivals from Belarus, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, India that resulted in positive net international migration – the number of immigrants exceeded that of emigrants by 23.1 thousand, and negative natural population change – the number of deaths exceeded that of live births by 18.4 thousand.
Vital statistics
| Live births | Deaths | Natural population change | Marriages | Divorces | Crude rate per 1,000 population | ||||
live births | deaths | natural population change | marriages | divorces | ||||||
2024 | 19,086 | 37,453 | -18,367 | 12,890 | 7,127 | 6.6 | 13.0 | -6.4 | 4.5 | 2.5 |
2023 | 20,623 | 37,005 | -16,382 | 13,997 | 7,231 | 7.2 | 12.9 | -5.7 | 4.9 | 2.5 |
2022 | 22,068 | 42,884 | -20,816 | 16,016 | 7,395 | 7.8 | 15.1 | -7.4 | 5.7 | 2.6 |
2021 | 23,330 | 47,746 | -24,416 | 16,795 | 7,822 | 8.3 | 17.0 | -8.7 | 6.0 | 2.8 |
2020 | 23,556 | 43,547 | -19,991 | 15,299 | 7,544 | 8.4 | 15.5 | -7.1 | 5.4 | 2.7 |
The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators
Population by sex and age group, 2025
Beginning of the year, per cent
The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators
At the beginning of 2025, 1 million 980.4 thousand (68.5 per cent) residents were living in urban areas, 910.2 thousand (31.5 per cent) – in rural areas. Compared to the beginning of 2024, the urban resident population increased by 0.1 per cent (2.7 thousand), the rural resident population – by 0.2 per cent (2 thousand).
Population in urban and rural areas, population density
Beginning of the year
| Population, thousand | Compared to the total population, % | Population density | |||
total | urban areas | rural areas | urban areas | rural areas | ||
2025 | 2,890.7 | 1,980.4 | 910.2 | 68.5 | 31.5 | 44.3 |
2024 | 2,885.9 | 1,977.7 | 908.2 | 68.5 | 31.5 | 44.2 |
2023 | 2,857.3 | 1,955.8 | 901.5 | 68.4 | 31.6 | 43.8 |
2022 | 2,806.0 | 1,913.4 | 892.6 | 68.2 | 31.8 | 43.0 |
2021 | 2,810.8 | 1,916.8 | 894.0 | 68.2 | 31.8 | 43.1 |
The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators
Population of major city 2015 and 2025
Beginning of the year, thousand
The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators
At the beginning of 2025, the number of women in Lithuania was by 143.3 thousand higher than that of men (1 million 517 thousand and 1 million 373.7 thousand respectively). Women accounted for 52.5 per cent of the total resident population; there were 1,104 women per 1,000 men (at the beginning of 2024, 52.7 per cent and 1,113 respectively).
Number of women per 1,000 men
Beginning of the year
The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators
At the beginning of 2025, there were 603.5 thousand elderly people (aged 65 and older), or 20.9 per cent of the total resident population. One in six men and one in four women was aged 65 and older. Compared to the beginning of 2024, the number of elderly people increased by 16.5 thousand, or 2.8 per cent.
At the beginning of 2025, the number of children under 15 was by 32.4 per cent lower than that of elderly people. There were 148 elderly persons per 100 children.
Index of ageing
Number of elderly (aged 65 and older) persons per 100 children (aged 0–14), beginning of the year
The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators
At the beginning of 2025, the citizens of the Republic of Lithuania accounted for 94.4 per cent of the country’s resident population, those of Ukraine – 1.9 per cent, Belarus – 1.3 per cent, and Russia – 0.4 per cent (at the beginning of 2024, for 94.9, 1.8, 1.3 and 0.4 per cent respectively).
Most residents of the country (2 million 609.7 thousand, or 90.3 per cent) were born in Lithuania, 281 thousand (9.7 per cent) – abroad.
Population by ethnicity, 2025
Beginning of the year, per cent
The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators
At the beginning of 2025, almost half (46.4 per cent) of the resident population aged 15 and older were married, 13.6 per cent – divorced, 8.7 per cent – widowed. The number of divorced women was 1.7 times, that of widowed women – 5.5 times higher than that of men.
In 2024, 19.1 thousand live births were registered, which is by 1.5 thousand (7.5 per cent) less than in 2023. In 2024, the crude live birth rate (the number of live births per 1,000 population) was 6.6 (in 2023, 7.2). The total fertility rate decreased from 1.18 (in 2023) to 1.11 (in 2024). The most favourable demographic situation is observed when the total fertility rate stands at around 2.1. In 2024, the mean age of women at the birth of the first child increased to 28.7 years (in 2023, 28.4 years).
Total fertility rate
The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators
In 2024, 37.5 thousand deaths were registered. Against 2023, the number of deaths increased by 0.4 thousand, or 1.2 per cent. In 2024, the crude death rate (the number of deaths per 1,000 population) stood at 13 (in 2023, 12.9).
In 2024, 56 infant deaths were registered, i.e. by 1 (1.8 per cent) less than in 2023. The infant mortality rate (the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births) increased from 2.8 in 2023 to 2.9 in 2024.
Infant mortality
Infant deaths per 1,000 live births
The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators
In 2024, life expectancy at birth for men was 73 years, for women – 81.6 years (in 2023, 72.9 and 81.7 years respectively). The difference between life expectancy at birth for men and for women in 2024 was 8.6 years (in 2023, 8.8 years).
Life expectancy at birth
Years
| Total | Urban areas | Rural areas | ||||||
Total | Men | Women | Total | Men | Women | Total | Men | Women | |
2024 | 77.46 | 73.02 | 81.64 | 78.54 | 74.20 | 82.29 | 75.24 | 70.87 | 80.15 |
2023 | 77.43 | 72.86 | 81.71 | 78.47 | 73.94 | 82.37 | 75.34 | 70.88 | 80.26 |
2022 | 75.77 | 71.25 | 80.06 | 76.79 | 72.42 | 80.62 | 73.66 | 69.12 | 78.80 |
2021 | 74.28 | 69.60 | 78.87 | 75.33 | 70.70 | 79.56 | 72.15 | 67.61 | 77.34 |
2020 | 75.07 | 69.99 | 79.99 | 75.98 | 70.91 | 80.49 | 73.24 | 68.32 | 78.86 |
The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators
In 2024, the number of marriages registered amounted to 12.9 thousand, that of divorces – 7.1 thousand, which is by 1.1 thousand marriages (7.9 per cent) less and by 0.1 thousand divorces (1.4 per cent) less than in 2023. In 2024, there were 4.5 marriages and 2.5 divorces per 1,000 population (in 2023, 4.9 marriages and 2.5 divorces respectively). In 2024, the number of divorces per 100 marriages stood at 55.3 (in 2023, 51.7). The ratio of marriages to divorces is more precisely reflected by the total divorce rate, which is calculated taking into account the duration of the previous marriage. If the previous year’s ratio does not change, it is probable that, out of 100 couples, 35 will get divorced.
In 2024, 51.8 thousand people immigrated to Lithuania, which is by 14.8 thousand (22.3 per cent) less than in 2023. In 2024, the crude immigration rate stood at 18 (in 2023, 23.2).
International migration
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
Immigrants | 31,085 | 31,395 | 33,305 | 37,420 | 46,526 | 46,020 | 44,858 | 87,367 | 66,682 | 51,845 |
Emigrants | 50,445 | 56,299 | 53,951 | 38,638 | 35,441 | 25,245 | 25,205 | 15,270 | 21,688 | 28,705 |
The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators
Net international migration
The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators
In 2024, 18.9 thousand (36.4 per cent of all immigrants) citizens of the Republic of Lithuania returned to Lithuania, which is by 1.3 thousand (7.7 per cent) more than in 2023. Last year, 32.9 thousand foreigners immigrated to the country (63.6 per cent of all immigrants), which is by 16.2 thousand (32.9 per cent ) less than in 2023.
Citizens of the Republic of Lithuania who returned
The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators
In 2024, 28.7 thousand residents emigrated from Lithuania. Against 2023, the number of emigrants increased by 7 thousand (32.4 per cent). In 2024, the crude emigration rate (the number of emigrants per 1,000 population) increased from 7.6 (in 2023) to 9.9 (in 2024).
Last year, 6 thousand (20.8 per cent) of all emigrants chose Belarus as their destination of emigration, Ukraine was chosen by 5.2 thousand (18.2 per cent), the United Kingdom – 1.8 thousand (6.4 per cent), Norway – 1.2 thousand (4.2 per cent), and Germany – 1.2 thousand (4.1 per cent).
In 2024, the number of immigrants exceeded that of emigrants by 23.1 thousand. In 2024, net international migration of the residents of the Republic of Lithuania was positive (the number of those who immigrated exceeded the number of those who emigrated by 9.4 thousand). In 2024, the number of foreign immigrants exceeded that of emigrants by 13.7 thousand.
Population in the EU states, 2024
Beginning of the year, per cent
EU 27 – 100.0%
Source: Eurostat’s database
More:
Crude birth rate per 1,000 population, 2015–2024
Crude death rate per 1,000 population, 2015-2024
Crude marriage rate per 1,000 population, 2015–2024
Crude divorce rate per 1,000 population, 2015–2024
Natural population change, 2024
Crude rate of natural population change per 1,000 population, 2015–2024
For further terms, see the Dictionary of Statistical Terms
Explanations
Crude live birth rate – the ratio of the total number of live births to the average population in that year, expressed per 1,000 population.
Divorce – a marriage dissolved according to the order set by law. A marriage is considered to be dissolved from the day when the court’s decision to dissolve it comes into force, which is indicated in a marriage dissolution record.
Emigrant – а person who has left the country with the intention to stay in the new place for permanent residence or longer than 12 months
Foreigner – any person other than a citizen of the Republic of Lithuania, irrespective of whether s/he is a foreign national or a stateless person.
Immigrant – a person who has arrived in a country with the intention to stay in the new place for permanent residence or longer than 12 months. It may also be an alien having a temporary residence permit for a year and longer.
Infant – a child under one year of age.
Life expectancy (life expectancy at birth) – a probability index indicating the average length of life of every person, or a person having attained a certain age, provided that the mortality rate of every age group of the population of the target generation remains unchanged.
Live birth – birth of a child who breathes or shows any other evidence of life, such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord or definite movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of gestational age.
Marriage – a voluntary agreement between a man and a woman to establish a legal family relationship registered according to the order set by law.
Natural population change – the difference between the number of live births and deaths.
Net international migration – the difference between the total number of immigrants and that of emigrants.
Population density – the population per 1 km², i.e. an index showing the relationship between the population and the area where they live.
Resident population – persons having their usual residence in the Republic of Lithuania at the reference time.
Total fertility rate – a probability indicator, which shows the number of children that would be born to a woman over her childbearing period (15–49 years of age) if the fertility rate in each age group were to remain unchanged.
Overview
Negative natural population change in Lithuania has been recorded since 1994. The relatively low number of births is driven by low periodic total fertility rates and the specific demographic structure of Lithuania’s population. In 2024, the total fertility rate was 1.1, meaning that one woman of reproductive age gave birth to an average of 1.1 children. The specific population structure has resulted in a decline in the absolute number of births over the past decade due to the decreasing number of women of reproductive age.
In 2025, the country’s demographic pyramid, reflecting the population structure by age and gender, is increasingly taking on the shape of an urn. Although Lithuania’s population size has remained relatively stable over the past six years, this type of demographic structure is characteristic of shrinking populations, where the total fertility rate does not ensure generational replacement and remains below 2.1 children per woman. An urn-shaped demographic pyramid indicates a declining share of young and middle-aged (working-age) people and a growing share of older individuals. In populations whose demographic pyramids lack a broad base, indicators of demographic aging are high: the median age of the population and the demographic ageing coefficient are increasing.
From 2021 to 2025, the share of urban residents in the overall population structure remained stable (close to 68 per cent) and changed very little. Lithuania’s level of urbanization is slightly lower than the average for European Union countries, which is about 75 per cent.
Over the past 10 years, the population of Lithuania’s major cities has remained fairly stable or increased. These processes are linked to both internal and external migration. The main direction of internal migration: residents of rural areas and smaller towns moved to the municipalities of Lithuania’s largest cities. In addition, a significant share of international migration also concentrated in the country’s largest cities.
Changes in gender balance have been significantly influenced by the gender structure of the immigrant population. In recent years, the majority of immigrants have been men. For example, in 2024, male immigrants accounted for 71.6 per cent of all immigrants.
The demographic aging coefficient has increased from 126 (in 2014) to 140 (in 2024) over the past 10 years. Thus, Lithuanian society has experienced fairly rapid demographic aging processes. These processes have been driven by low birth rates and the specific demographic structure of Lithuania.
In 2024, the average life expectancy for both men and women not only returned to pre-pandemic levels but exceeded them. In 2019, the average life expectancy for men was 71.69 years, and for women – 81.03 years. Positive net international migration rates in Lithuania have persisted for six years (since 2019). Thus, in recent years, Lithuania has shifted from being a migrant-sending country to a migrant-receiving country. This change is linked not only to the war in Ukraine, which caused a large influx of war refugees (especially in 2022), but also to the growth of the country’s economic prosperity. Until 2017, most immigrants were Lithuanian citizens returning from migration in Western European countries and residents of neighboring countries (Russia, Belarus, Ukraine). However, in 2024, a significant share of migrants consisted of economic migrants from Central Asian countries (India, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, etc.).
Dr Daumantas Stumbrys