Lithuania has experienced significant demographic changes over the past few decades, characterized by a declining population. Following its independence from the Soviet Union in 1990, Lithuania saw rapid population loss due to low birth rates, high mortality rates, and substantial emigration, particularly to Western European countries after joining the European Union in 2004. The population peaked at around 3.7 million in the early 1990s but has since steadily decreased, reaching approximately 2.8 million by 2024. This decline has been driven primarily by young people leaving in search of better economic opportunities abroad, as well as an aging population and natural decrease (more deaths than births). While recent years have seen some stabilization due to returning migrants and modest increases in birth rates, Lithuania continues to face challenges related to population shrinkage and demographic aging.
| Year | Population | Population Density Per Square KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 2,553,159 | 40.7 |
| 1955 | 2,614,336 | 41.7 |
| 1960 | 2,764,864 | 44.1 |
| 1965 | 2,959,173 | 47.2 |
| 1970 | 3,137,562 | 50.1 |
| 1975 | 3,305,195 | 52.7 |
| 1980 | 3,435,289 | 54.8 |
| 1985 | 3,587,032 | 57.2 |
| 1990 | 3,683,732 | 58.8 |
| 1995 | 3,509,711 | 56 |
| 2000 | 3,489,407 | 55.7 |
| 2005 | 3,326,633 | 53.1 |
| 2010 | 3,088,773 | 49.3 |
| 2015 | 2,884,632 | 46 |
| 2020 | 2,739,816 | 43.7 |
| 2022 | 2,683,546 | 42.8 |
| 2023 | 2,655,755 | 42.4 |
| 2024 | 2,628,186 | 41.9 |
| 2025 | 2,600,838 | 41.5 |
| 2030 | 2,468,224 | 39.4 |
| 2035 | 2,346,636 | 37.4 |
| 2040 | 2,238,244 | 35.7 |
| 2045 | 2,140,115 | 34.1 |
| 2050 | 2,050,440 | 32.7 |
| 2055 | 1,967,978 | 31.4 |
| 2060 | 1,893,639 | 30.2 |
| 2065 | 1,827,187 | 29.2 |
| 2070 | 1,768,357 | 28.2 |
| 2075 | 1,714,381 | 27.4 |
| 2080 | 1,663,815 | 26.5 |
| 2085 | 1,618,763 | 25.8 |
| 2090 | 1,579,287 | 25.2 |
| 2095 | 1,542,581 | 24.6 |
| 2100 | 1,505,767 | 24 |
Data from US Census International Database