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Communications

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

14 (2000)

Internet country code [time series]

.lt

Internet users [time series]

225,000 (2000)

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]

general assessment: 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 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 (November 1998)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

20 (plus 30 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions [time series]

1.7 million (1997)

Economy

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]

litas (LTL)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

LTL

Debt - external [time series]

$2.5 billion (2000 est.)

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, has been slowly rebounding from the 1998 Russian financial crisis. High unemployment and weak consumption have held back recovery. GDP growth for 2000 - estimated at 2.9% - fell behind that of Estonia and Latvia, and unemployment is estimated at 10.8%, the country's highest since regaining independence in 1990. For 2001, Lithuanians forecast 3.2% growth, 1.8% inflation, and a fiscal deficit of 3.3%. In early 2001, the Lithuanian Government announced that it will repeg its currency, the litas, to the euro (the litas is currently pegged to the dollar) some time in 2002. Lithuania must ratify 25 agreements along with other legal documents and obligations by 1 May 2001 before gaining World Trade Organization membership. Lithuania was invited to the Helsinki summit in December 1999 and began EU accession talks in early 2000. Privatization of the large, state-owned utilities, particularly in the energy sector, remains a key challenge for 2001.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

9.817 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports [time series]

3.2 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports [time series]

400 million kWh (1999)

Electricity - production [time series]

13.567 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 23.89% hydro: 3.43% nuclear: 72.68% other: 0% (1999)

Exchange rates [time series]

litai per US dollar - 4.000 (fixed rate since 1 May 1994); note - litai is the plural of litas

Exports [time series]

$3.7 billion (f.o.b., 2000)

Exports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment 22%, mineral products 15%, chemicals 12%, textiles and clothing, foodstuffs (1999)

Exports - partners [time series]

Germany 15.8%, Latvia 12.6%, Russia 6.9%, Belarus 5.8%, Denmark (1999)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

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

purchasing power parity - $26.4 billion (2000 est.)

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

agriculture: 10% industry: 33% services: 57% (1999 est.)

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

purchasing power parity - $7,300 (2000 est.)

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

2.9% (2000 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 25.6% (1996)

Imports [time series]

$4.9 billion (f.o.b., 2000)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment 18%, mineral products 16%, chemicals 10%, textiles and clothing 10%, transport equipment 7% (1999)

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]

2.3% (2000 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]

1% (2000 est.)

Labor force [time series]

2 million (2000 est.)

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]

10.8% (2000)

Geography

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: 39% permanent crops: 9% permanent pastures: 6% forests and woodland: 31% other: 15% (2001 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]

Natural resources [time series]

peat, arable land

Terrain [time series]

lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil

Government

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

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador John F. TEFFT embassy: Akmenu 6, 2600 Vilnius mailing address: American Embassy, Vilnius, PSC 78, Box V, APO AE 09723 telephone: [370] (2) 223-031

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Vygaudas USACKAS chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Valdas ADAMKUS (since 26 February 1998) head of government: Premier Algirdas BRAZAUSKAS (since 3 July 2001) 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 4 January 1998 (next to be held NA 2002); 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%

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[1] (202) 328-0466 consulate(s) general: Chicago and New York

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[370] (2) 227-236

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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

Government type [time series]

parliamentary democracy

Independence [time series]

11 March 1990 (independence declared from Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (Soviet Union recognizes Lithuania's independence)

International organization participation [time series]

ACCT (observer), 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, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts 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 8 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democratic Coalition 31.1%, New Union/Social Liberals 19.6%, Liberal Union 17.2%, TS 8.6%, remaining parties all less than 5%; seats by party - Social Democratic Coalition 52, Liberal Union 34, New Union/Social Liberals 29, TS 9, Farmer's Party 4, Center Union 2, Poles' Electoral Action 2, Modern Christian Democratic Union 1, independents 3, others 5

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 16 February (1918); note - 16 February 1918 is the date of independence from German, Austrian, Prussian, and Russian occupation, 11 March 1990 is the date of independence from the Soviet Union

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

Christian Democratic Party or LKDP [Zigmas ZINKEVICIUS, chairman]; Electoral Action of Lithuanian Poles [Valdemar TOMASZEVSKI, chairman]; Homeland Union/Conservative Party or TS [Vytautas LANDSBERGIS, chairman]; Lithuanian Center Union or LCS [Kestutis GLAVECKAS, chairman]; Lithuanian Farmer's Party or LUP [Ramunas KARBAUSKIS, chairman]; Lithuanian Liberal Union [Rolandas PAKSAS, chairman]; Lithuanian Social Democratic Coalition [Algirdas BRAZAUSKAS, chairman] consists of the Lithuanian Democratic Labor Party or LDDP, the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party or LSPD, and New Democracy; Modern Christian Democratic Union [Vytautas BOGUSIS, chairman]; New Union-Social Liberals [Arturas PAULAUSKAS, chairman]

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

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Independent between the two World Wars, Lithuania was annexed by the USSR in 1940. On 11 March 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

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]

1.66% (FY00)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 929,389 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 730,363 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 28,506 (2001 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 18.75% (male 345,694; female 331,125) 15-64 years: 67.69% (male 1,181,119; female 1,262,872) 65 years and over: 13.56% (male 165,732; female 323,993) (2001 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

10 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Death rate [time series]

12.86 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.02% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

less than 100 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

less than 500 (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

14.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Languages [time series]

Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 69.25 years male: 63.3 years female: 75.5 years (2001 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]

0.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Population [time series]

3,610,535 (July 2001 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.27% (2001 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: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.51 male(s)/female total population: 0.88 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.37 children born/woman (2001 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Latvia has not ratified a 1998 maritime boundary agreement with Lithuania (primary concern is oil exploration rights); 1997 border agreement with Russia not yet ratified by Russia

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; limited production of methamphetamine and ecstasy

Transportation

Airports [time series]

72 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 9 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 63 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 55 (2000 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 44,000 km paved: 35,500 km unpaved: 8,500 km (2000)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 50 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 293,168 GRT/327,827 DWT ships by type: cargo 26, combination bulk 10, petroleum tanker 2, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 3 (2000 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

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

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Butinge, 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)