Quick facts
Lithuania population overview
Lithuania is the 30th most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 2,809,695 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.8% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 64 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 21,635 births (7.7 per 1,000 people) and 39,898 deaths (14.2 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 4,776 people. The infant mortality rate is 2.9 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 2,778,550 in 1960 to 2,888,774 in 2025 — a change of +4%, or +0.1% per year on average. It peaked at 3,704,134 in 1991 and has declined 24.6% since.
Demographically, the median age is 42.6 years; life expectancy at birth is 76.5 years; women have on average 1.1 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 14.5% of residents are under 15 and 20.7% are 65 or older (2025); 69.1% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Vilnius. Lithuania covers 65,290 km², giving a population density of about 42.7 people per km². GDP was $95.21B in 2025 — about $32,959 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Lithuania population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 2,791,097 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 2,809,695 |
| World rank | #143 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #30 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 0.034% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.8% |
| Births per year est. | 21,635 |
| Deaths per year est. | 39,898 |
| Net migration per year est. | -4,776 |
| Birth rate | 7.7 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 14.2 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 2.9 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 89.6 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 42.6 years |
| Life expectancy | 76.5 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.1 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 69.1% |
| Surface area 2023 | 65,290 km² |
| Population density | 42.7 per km² |
| Capital | Vilnius |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $95.21B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $32,959 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Lithuania population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 2,791,097 | – | – |
| 2025 | 2,888,774 | +496 | +0% |
| 2024 | 2,888,278 | +16,693 | +0.6% |
| 2023 | 2,871,585 | +39,946 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | 2,831,639 | +23,259 | +0.8% |
| 2021 | 2,808,380 | -1,989 | -0.1% |
| 2020 | 2,810,369 | -100,740 | -0.7% |
| 2015 | 2,911,109 | -186,173 | -1.2% |
| 2010 | 3,097,282 | -225,246 | -1.4% |
| 2005 | 3,322,528 | -177,008 | -1% |
| 2000 | 3,499,536 | -129,566 | -0.7% |
| 1995 | 3,629,102 | -68,736 | -0.4% |
| 1990 | 3,697,838 | +153,295 | +0.9% |
| 1985 | 3,544,543 | +131,341 | +0.8% |
| 1980 | 3,413,202 | +111,550 | +0.7% |
| 1975 | 3,301,652 | +161,963 | +1% |
| 1970 | 3,139,689 | +168,239 | +1.1% |
| 1965 | 2,971,450 | +192,900 | +1.4% |
| 1960 | 2,778,550 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Lithuania
Population over time
- From 2,778,550 in 1960 to 2,791,097 today — up 0.5%.
- Population peaked at 3,704,134 in 1991 and is down 24.6% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: -0.1% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 77.2 years (2024), up 7.3 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.1 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 6.6 births vs 13 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Deaths outnumber births — natural decrease of 6.4 per 1,000 a year.
Age structure
- 14.5% of the population is under 15 and 20.7% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 7.9% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 12.97 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 36.98 Mt in 1991 — down 64.9% since.
- Per person: 4.49 t in 2024, vs 6.35 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 2,603 kg of oil equivalent per person (2024), down 40.1% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 33.2% of final energy in 2021 (+30.1 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 35.2% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 31.3% to 35.2% since 1992 — roughly 2,586 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 69.1% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 39.8% in 1960 (+29.3 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1970.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 1.9% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 5,460 m³ in 2022, up 30.7% since 1992.
Economy
- GDP: $95.21B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 129.2% since 2015.
- That works out to $32,959 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 6.7% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 3.8% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 89.2% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 138.7 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Lithuania in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Lithuania in 2026?
As of October 2026, Lithuania has an estimated population of 2,791,097. The United Nations estimated 2,809,695 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.8% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Lithuania growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.8% per year — roughly 64 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 21,635 births and 39,898 deaths, with net migration of -4,776.
What is the population density of Lithuania?
About 42.7 people per square kilometre: 2,791,097 people living on 65,290 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Lithuania?
The median age is 42.6 years, and life expectancy at birth is 76.5 years. 14.5% of the population is under 15 and 20.7% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Lithuania rank by population?
Lithuania is the 143rd most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 30th in Europe, with 0.034% of the global population.
How has the population of Lithuania changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 2,778,550; by 2025 it had grown to 2,888,774 (+4%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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ArmeniaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.8%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.