Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

10 (1999)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 3, FM 112, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios [time series]

1.9 million (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

inadequate but is being modernized to provide an improved international capability and better residential access domestic: a national fiber-optic cable interurban trunk system is nearing completion; rural exchanges are being improved and expanded; mobile cellular systems are being installed; access to the Internet is available; still many unsatisfied telephone subscriber applications international: landline connections to Latvia and Poland; major international connections are to Denmark, Sweden, and Norway by submarine cable for further transmission by satellite

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

1.048 million (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

297,500 (1998)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

82 (mainly repeater stations) (1998)

Televisions [time series]

1.7 million (1997)

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

grain, potatoes, sugar beets, flax, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: $1.5 billion expenditures: $1.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 Lithuanian litas = 100 centas

Debt - external [time series]

$NA

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$228.5 million (1995)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Lithuania, the Baltic state that has conducted the most trade with Russia, faced its own economic and financial crisis in 1999 as a result of the government's wrongfooted economic policies and its inadequate response to the August 1998 Russian financial crisis. Preliminary figures indicate 3% negative GDP growth, 10% unemployment - the highest level since independence in 1991 - and a budget deficit estimated at between 8 and 9% of GDP. The policies that Prime Minister KUBILIUS implemented upon taking the helm in November 1999 underscore a commitment to fiscal restraint, economic stabilization, and accelerated reforms. The austere 2000 budget in based on a 2% GDP growth forecast, 3% inflation, and a 2.8% budget deficit. Lithuania was invited at the Helsinki EU summit in December 1999 to begin EU accession talks in early 2000. Privatization of the large state-owned utilities, particularly in the energy sector, and reducing the high current account deficit remain challenges for the coming year.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

7.829 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - exports [time series]

7 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - imports [time series]

340 million kWh (1998)

Electricity - production [time series]

15.58 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 13.09% hydro: 4.3% nuclear: 82.61% other: 0% (1998)

Exchange rates [time series]

litai per US$1 - 4.000 (fixed rate since 1 May 1994)

Exports [time series]

$3.3 billion (f.o.b., 1999)

Exports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment 19%, mineral products 19%, textiles and clothing 19%, chemicals 10%, foodstuffs (1998)

Exports - partners [time series]

Russia 17.4%, Germany 15.8%, Latvia 12.7%, Denmark 5.9%, Belarus 5.2% (1999)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $17.3 billion (1999 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 10% industry: 32% services: 58% (1998 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $4,800 (1999 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

-3% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 28% (1993)

Imports [time series]

$4.5 billion (f.o.b., 1999)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment 30%, mineral products 16%, chemicals 9%, textiles and clothing 9%, foodstuffs (1998)

Imports - partners [time series]

Russia 20.4%, Germany 16.5%, Denmark 3.8%, Belarus 2.2%, Latvia 2% (1999)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-14% (1999 est.)

Industries [time series]

metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, amber

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

0.3% (1999 est.)

Labor force [time series]

1.8 million

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

industry 30%, agriculture 20%, services 50% (1997 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Unemployment rate [time series]

10% (1999)

Area [time series]

total: 65,200 sq km land: 65,200 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly larger than West Virginia

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

99 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Juozapines/Kalnas 292 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geographic coordinates [time series]

56 00 N, 24 00 E

Irrigated land [time series]

430 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1,273 km border countries: Belarus 502 km, Latvia 453 km, Poland 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 35% permanent crops: 12% permanent pastures: 7% forests and woodland: 31% other: 15% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

NA

Natural resources [time series]

peat, arable land

Terrain [time series]

lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil

Administrative divisions [time series]

44 regions (rajonai, singular - rajonas) and 11 municipalities*: Akmenes Rajonas, Alytaus Rajonas, Alytus*, Anyksciu Rajonas, Birstonas*, Birzu Rajonas, Druskininkai*, Ignalinos Rajonas, Jonavos Rajonas, Joniskio Rajonas, Jurbarko Rajonas, Kaisiadoriu Rajonas, Kaunas*, Kauno Rajonas, Kedainiu Rajonas, Kelmes Rajonas, Klaipeda*, Klaipedos Rajonas, Kretingos Rajonas, Kupiskio Rajonas, Lazdiju Rajonas, Marijampole*, Marijampoles Rajonas, Mazeikiu Rajonas, Moletu Rajonas, Neringa* Pakruojo Rajonas, Palanga*, Panevezio Rajonas, Panevezys*, Pasvalio Rajonas, Plunges Rajonas, Prienu Rajonas, Radviliskio Rajonas, Raseiniu Rajonas, Rokiskio Rajonas, Sakiu Rajonas, Salcininku Rajonas, Siauliai*, Siauliu Rajonas, Silales Rajonas, Silutes Rajonas, Sirvintu Rajonas, Skuodo Rajonas, Svencioniu Rajonas, Taurages Rajonas, Telsiu Rajonas, Traku Rajonas, Ukmerges Rajonas, Utenos Rajonas, Varenos Rajonas, Vilkaviskio Rajonas, Vilniaus Rajonas, Vilnius*, Zarasu Rajonas

Capital [time series]

Vilnius

Constitution [time series]

adopted 25 October 1992

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Lithuania conventional short form: Lithuania local long form: Lietuvos Respublika local short form: Lietuva former: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic

Data code [time series]

LH

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Keith C. SMITH embassy: Akmenu 6, 2600 Vilnius mailing address: American Embassy, Vilnius, PSC 78, Box V, APO AE 09723 telephone: [370] (2) 223-031 FAX: [370] (6) 706-084

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Stasys SAKALAUSKAS chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860 FAX: [1] (202) 328-0466 consulate(s) general: Chicago and New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Valdas ADAMKUS (since 26 February 1998) head of government: Premier Andrius KUBILIUS (since 12 November 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the premier elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 21 December 1997 and 5 January 1998 (next to be held NA 2003); premier appointed by the president on the approval of the Parliament election results: Valdas ADAMKUS elected president; percent of vote - Valdas ADAMKUS 50.4%, Arturas PAULAUSKAS 49.6%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red

Government type [time series]

parliamentary democracy

Independence [time series]

6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

International organization participation [time series]

BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court, judges appointed by the Parliament; Court of Appeal, judges appointed by the Parliament

Legal system [time series]

based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats, 71 members are directly elected by popular vote, 70 are elected by proportional representation; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 October and 10 November 1996 (next to be held NA October 2000) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - TS 69, LKDP 15, LCS 15, LDDP 12, LSDP 10, DP 2, independents 12, others 6

National holiday [time series]

Statehood Day, 16 February (1918)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Christian Democratic Party or LKDP [Algirdas SAUDARGAS, chairman]; Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania or LDDP [Ceslovas JURSENAS, chairman]; Democratic Party or DP [Lydie WURTH-POLFER, president]; Homeland Union/Conservative Party or TS [Vytautas LANDSBERGIS, chairman]; Lithuanian Center Union or LCS [Romualdas OZOLAS, chairman]; Lithuanian Farmer's Party or LUP (previously Farmers' Union) [Albinas VAIZMUZIS, chairman]; Lithuanian Nationalist Union or LTS [Rimantas SMETONA, chairman]; Lithuanian Polish Union or LLS [Rsztardas MACIEKIANIEC, chairman]; Lithuanian Social Democratic Party or LSDP [Aloyzas SAKALAS, chairman]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Lithuanian Future Forum

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Background [time series]

Independent between the two World Wars, Lithuania was annexed by the USSR in 1940. In March of 1990, Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence, but this proclamation was not generally recognized until September of 1991 (following the abortive coup in Moscow). The last Russian troops withdrew in 1993. Lithuania subsequently has restructured its economy for eventual integration into Western European institutions.

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force, Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard (Skat)

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$181 million (FY99)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

1.5% (FY99)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 925,551 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 727,609 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 27,259 (2000 est.)

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 19% (male 357,712; female 342,796) 15-64 years: 67% (male 1,177,732; female 1,259,682) 65 years and over: 14% (male 163,470; female 319,364) (2000 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

9.77 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate [time series]

12.87 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Lithuanian 80.6%, Russian 8.7%, Polish 7%, Byelorussian 1.6%, other 2.1%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

14.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Languages [time series]

Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 69.09 years male: 63.07 years female: 75.41 years (2000 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 99% female: 98% (1989 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Lithuanian(s) adjective: Lithuanian

Net migration rate [time series]

0.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Population [time series]

3,620,756 (July 2000 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.29% (2000 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic (primarily), Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Protestant, evangelical Christian Baptist, Muslim, Jewish

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.51 male(s)/female total population: 0.88 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.34 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Disputes - international [time series]

ongoing talks over maritime boundary dispute with Latvia (primary concern is oil exploration rights); 1997 border agreement with Russia not yet ratified

Illicit drugs [time series]

transshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs from Southwest Asia, Latin America, and Western Europe to Western Europe and Scandinavia [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]

Airports [time series]

96 (1994 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 25 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 14 (1994 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 71 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 63 (1994 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 71,375 km paved: 64,951 km (including 417 km of expressways) unpaved: 6,424 km (1998 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 52 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 316,319 GRT/351,700 DWT ships by type: cargo 23, combination bulk 11, petroleum tanker 2, rail car carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 11, roll-on/roll-off 1, short-sea passenger 3 (1999 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

crude oil, 105 km; natural gas 760 km (1992)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Kaunas, Klaipeda

Railways [time series]

total: 2,002 km broad gauge: 2,002 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified) (1994)

Waterways [time series]

600 km perennially navigable