Let's talk about the population of Lithuania.
Lithuanian population: history
The earliest signs of human habitation in what is now Lithuania date back to 10,000 BC. Between 3000 and 2000 BC, the Corded Ware culture spread across a vast region of Eastern Europe, giving rise to the Baltsโa distinct Indo-European ethnic group. This group, comprising the ancestors of present-day Lithuanians, Latvians, and the former Old Prussians, emerged through a merging of the Corded Ware people with indigenous populations.
The term "Lithuania" and "Lithuanians" were first recorded in 1009. Various etymologies have been proposed, including connections to the word Lietava or leiฤiai, but the most plausible explanation suggests the name signifies the union of Lithuanian ethnic tribes.
The Duchy of Lithuania, the primary Lithuanian state, originated in the ethnic homeland of the Lithuanians. At the inception of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL), around 70% of the population identified as ethnic Lithuanians. However, territorial expansions, especially into Ruthenian lands, led to a decline in the proportion of ethnic Lithuanians to 30%. By the late 13th and 14th centuries, the GDL covered approximately 800,000 km2, with only 10% of the territory being ethnically Lithuanian.
Over time, the ethnic Lithuanian population faced fluctuations due to various historical events. After the Union of Lublin, which resulted in the loss of significant territories to the Polish Crown, the proportion of ethnic Lithuanians decreased to about a quarter in the GDL. The 17th century witnessed devastation and population losses, particularly in Vilnius voivodeship.
With the expansion of the Russian Empire, the Ruthenian population became the majority in the GDL from the mid-14th century. The term "Lithuanian" broadened to include inhabitants of the GDL, encompassing Slavs and Jews.
During the Russian Empire era, the Lithuanian language persisted in certain regions, while Ruthenian became the main language of documentation. Polish eventually replaced both languages as the chancellery language in 1697 within the LithuanianโPolish Commonwealth.
Following the Third Partition of the PolishโLithuanian Commonwealth in 1795, Lithuania became part of the Russian Empire. The abolition of serfdom in 1861 led to an increased use of the Polish language in eastern Lithuania and western Belarus.
The Lithuanian National Revival gained momentum in the late 19th century, contributing to a rise in the number of Lithuanian speakers and those identifying as ethnic Lithuanians. However, population losses occurred due to border changes, Soviet deportations, the Holocaust, and post-World War II repatriations. Despite these challenges, the ethnic Lithuanian population remained relatively stable, ranging from 79.3% in 1959 to 83.5% in 2002. Lithuania's citizenship laws and constitution adhere to international standards, ensuring universal human and civil rights.
The term "Lithuania" and "Lithuanians" were first recorded in 1009. Various etymologies have been proposed, including connections to the word Lietava or leiฤiai, but the most plausible explanation suggests the name signifies the union of Lithuanian ethnic tribes.
The Duchy of Lithuania, the primary Lithuanian state, originated in the ethnic homeland of the Lithuanians. At the inception of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL), around 70% of the population identified as ethnic Lithuanians. However, territorial expansions, especially into Ruthenian lands, led to a decline in the proportion of ethnic Lithuanians to 30%. By the late 13th and 14th centuries, the GDL covered approximately 800,000 km2, with only 10% of the territory being ethnically Lithuanian.
Over time, the ethnic Lithuanian population faced fluctuations due to various historical events. After the Union of Lublin, which resulted in the loss of significant territories to the Polish Crown, the proportion of ethnic Lithuanians decreased to about a quarter in the GDL. The 17th century witnessed devastation and population losses, particularly in Vilnius voivodeship.
With the expansion of the Russian Empire, the Ruthenian population became the majority in the GDL from the mid-14th century. The term "Lithuanian" broadened to include inhabitants of the GDL, encompassing Slavs and Jews.
During the Russian Empire era, the Lithuanian language persisted in certain regions, while Ruthenian became the main language of documentation. Polish eventually replaced both languages as the chancellery language in 1697 within the LithuanianโPolish Commonwealth.
Following the Third Partition of the PolishโLithuanian Commonwealth in 1795, Lithuania became part of the Russian Empire. The abolition of serfdom in 1861 led to an increased use of the Polish language in eastern Lithuania and western Belarus.
The Lithuanian National Revival gained momentum in the late 19th century, contributing to a rise in the number of Lithuanian speakers and those identifying as ethnic Lithuanians. However, population losses occurred due to border changes, Soviet deportations, the Holocaust, and post-World War II repatriations. Despite these challenges, the ethnic Lithuanian population remained relatively stable, ranging from 79.3% in 1959 to 83.5% in 2002. Lithuania's citizenship laws and constitution adhere to international standards, ensuring universal human and civil rights.
Population of Lithuania: 2022-2023
As of 2023, the population of Lithuania stands at 2,718,352, indicating a decrease of 1.15% compared to the previous year. In 2022, the population was recorded at 2,750,055, reflecting a decline of 1.31% from the figures reported in 2021.
Population of Lithuania: density, growth rate
As of now, the population of Lithuania is growing at a rate of 0.2% per year. The population density in Lithuania is 43 people per square kilometer (112 people per square mile).
Why is Lithuania population decreasing?
Lithuania is grappling with a significant decline in its population, primarily fueled by a substantial emigration rate โ individuals choosing to relocate abroad. According to Daumantas Stumbrys from the Lithuanian Social Research Centre, the period from 1999 to 2019 saw an annual exodus of around 30,000 individuals leaving Lithuania. Compounding this issue is the phenomenon of natural population loss, where more people are passing away than new births occurring, resulting in an additional annual reduction of 10,000 people.
Lithuanian population: male and female
The present male population in the area stands at 1,192,205, constituting 46.4% of the total population. The current female population is 1,374,997, representing 53.6% of the overall demographic composition.
Lithuanian cities by population
- Vilnius - 542,366
- Kaunas - 289,380
- Klaipฤda - 172,292
- ล iauliai - 99,462
- Panevฤลพys - 85,885
- Alytus - 49,195
- Marijampolฤ - 34,975
- Maลพeikiai - 32,470
- Jonava - 26,423
- Utena - 25,397
Muslim population of Lithuania
The Sunni Muslim community in Lithuania comprises 2,165 individuals, with the majority being Tatars. The Tatar community is primarily located in Vilnius and Kaunas. Additionally, the Muslim population includes recent converts, migrants, refugees, and temporary workers from the Middle East and Africa, the majority of whom adhere to the Sunni branch of Islam.
Jewish population of Lithuania
As per the census, the Jewish population, totaling 2,256 individuals, is primarily concentrated in larger cities. Among them, 196 individuals identify as Karaites, and they traditionally reside in Trakai and the broader Vilnius region.
Lithuanian black population
African population in Lithuania totals 264 individuals.
Russian population in Lithuania
The Russian population in Lithuania comprises 140,000 individuals.
