News

In 2010, the population of Lithuania decreased by 84.5 thousand (2.5%) and was only 3.2 million, the preliminary data from the Statistics Lithuania has revealed.   The population of Lithuania was 3.3 million at the beginning of 2010, 3.5 million in 2000 and 3.7 million in 1989.

The main cause of the population decline was emigration (92.7% of the registered cases). 83.5 thousand citizens declared leaving Lithuania in 2010, which is 3.8 times higher than in 2009.

The most attractive destinations for Lithuanians last year were the United Kingdom and Ireland. Every second migrant from Lithuania in 2010 went to the United Kingdom, meanwhile 16% preferred Ireland. Nearly 6% chose Norway as their new home.

Every second migrant was from 20 to 34 years old.

Another important cause of population decline was falling birth rate. In 2010, 35.9 thousand babies were born in Lithuania, which is 734 less than in 2009.

Approximately every third child was born to unmarried couples.

The 2011 population census, which starts next week, should reveal a more exact picture of Lithuanian population. The first preliminary data of the census will be published in September this year.