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Lithuania sees significant drop in annual births
(MENAFN) Lithuania is facing a serious demographic challenge, with recent data revealing that annual births have decreased by nearly one-third over the past ten years, according to reports.
Figures cited by national broadcasters indicate that just over 30,000 children were born in Lithuania a decade ago, while last year saw almost 11,000 fewer births.
Policymakers are sounding the alarm, emphasizing the need for immediate measures to stabilize the population and ease mounting pressures on public services.
The situation is particularly acute in Rokiskis District, where deaths recently outnumbered births by a ratio of five to one. Marriage and divorce rates remain nearly equal, a pattern local residents attribute to low wages, financial strain, and rapid depopulation of rural areas.
“All the young people leave for the cities, and only grandparents stay here,” one resident told reports.
Since regaining independence, Lithuania’s total population has fallen by nearly 20%. Surveys conducted by the initiative Auginu Lietuva (I’m Raising Lithuania) show that over half of the population views the demographic trends negatively.
Asta Radzeviciene, founder of the initiative, explained that many families postpone having children due to financial uncertainty, lifestyle choices, and security concerns, with 10% of respondents citing fear of war as a factor.
Health Minister Marija Jakubauskiene warned that the labor market is already feeling the effects, particularly in the healthcare sector.
“Rapid aging is felt across society. About half of all nurses are already over 55,” she said.
Social Security and Labour Minister Jurate Zailskiene announced plans to expand child-care compensation policies to support families where one parent works while the other pursues studies or vocational training.
Radzeviciene also called for increased assistance for premature infants and urged the adoption of European neonatal care standards to ensure vital services remain available in regions facing hospital closures.
Figures cited by national broadcasters indicate that just over 30,000 children were born in Lithuania a decade ago, while last year saw almost 11,000 fewer births.
Policymakers are sounding the alarm, emphasizing the need for immediate measures to stabilize the population and ease mounting pressures on public services.
The situation is particularly acute in Rokiskis District, where deaths recently outnumbered births by a ratio of five to one. Marriage and divorce rates remain nearly equal, a pattern local residents attribute to low wages, financial strain, and rapid depopulation of rural areas.
“All the young people leave for the cities, and only grandparents stay here,” one resident told reports.
Since regaining independence, Lithuania’s total population has fallen by nearly 20%. Surveys conducted by the initiative Auginu Lietuva (I’m Raising Lithuania) show that over half of the population views the demographic trends negatively.
Asta Radzeviciene, founder of the initiative, explained that many families postpone having children due to financial uncertainty, lifestyle choices, and security concerns, with 10% of respondents citing fear of war as a factor.
Health Minister Marija Jakubauskiene warned that the labor market is already feeling the effects, particularly in the healthcare sector.
“Rapid aging is felt across society. About half of all nurses are already over 55,” she said.
Social Security and Labour Minister Jurate Zailskiene announced plans to expand child-care compensation policies to support families where one parent works while the other pursues studies or vocational training.
Radzeviciene also called for increased assistance for premature infants and urged the adoption of European neonatal care standards to ensure vital services remain available in regions facing hospital closures.
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