The number of children born in Lithuania has reached an all-time low, media reports say.
Preliminary data from the country’s statistics agency show that just under 19,000 live births occurred in 2024, the lowest on record since the Baltic nation’s independence in 1990.
The figures, reported by national broadcaster LRT, reflect a year-on-year decline in birth rates over the last decade.
Lithuania is often listed among the least fertile countries in the European Union. Fewer babies are being born across the bloc’s member states, a phenomenon partly attributed to women giving birth at a later age.
In 2022, the Lithuanian fertility rate—which maps the average number of children born per woman—was 1.27, according to the EU.
The only countries within the bloc with a lower indicator were Italy, Portugal and Malta, and the rate in neighboring Poland was only marginally higher. It’s widely considered that a fertility level of 2.1 births per woman is required for a sustainable population, without taking migration into account.
Speaking to LRT TV, a member of the government in Vilnius said that the cost of living was one reason why people were having fewer children.
“Life is getting more expensive and our young people are calculating: it is extremely difficult for a young family to buy a house,” Labor Minister Inga Ruginienė said.
“You have to have an adequate amount of income, so young people work more than one job to save up for the first start. This is why family planning is postponed until later,” she added.
A prominent sociologist told LRT’s reporters that efforts to increase the birth rate in the nation of 2.9 million people should focus on changing attitudes, above all.
“This is very serious work for the ministries of culture and education,” said Boguslavas Gruževskis, director of the country’s Centre for Social Sciences.
Key sectors in Lithuania are reporting workforce issues, partly attributed to the ongoing demographic crisis. It was revealed earlier this month that the national health system is grappling with a nurse shortage that could soon be as high as 4,500.
The figures, reported by national broadcaster LRT, reflect a year-on-year decline in birth rates over the last decade.
Lithuania is often listed among the least fertile countries in the European Union. Fewer babies are being born across the bloc’s member states, a phenomenon partly attributed to women giving birth at a later age.
In 2022, the Lithuanian fertility rate—which maps the average number of children born per woman—was 1.27, according to the EU.
The only countries within the bloc with a lower indicator were Italy, Portugal and Malta, and the rate in neighboring Poland was only marginally higher. It’s widely considered that a fertility level of 2.1 births per woman is required for a sustainable population, without taking migration into account.
‘Family planning is postponed’
Speaking to LRT TV, a member of the government in Vilnius said that the cost of living was one reason why people were having fewer children.
“Life is getting more expensive and our young people are calculating: it is extremely difficult for a young family to buy a house,” Labor Minister Inga Ruginienė said.
“You have to have an adequate amount of income, so young people work more than one job to save up for the first start. This is why family planning is postponed until later,” she added.
A prominent sociologist told LRT’s reporters that efforts to increase the birth rate in the nation of 2.9 million people should focus on changing attitudes, above all.
“This is very serious work for the ministries of culture and education,” said Boguslavas Gruževskis, director of the country’s Centre for Social Sciences.
Key sectors in Lithuania are reporting workforce issues, partly attributed to the ongoing demographic crisis. It was revealed earlier this month that the national health system is grappling with a nurse shortage that could soon be as high as 4,500.
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