Analytics, Demography, EU – Baltic States, Lithuania, Society

In 2008, a total of 26,761 citizens left, only 6,300 came back. In 2009, a total of 40,044 left, returned 4,800, in 2010 – 83,157, came back 4,100, in 2011 – 53,863, returned 14,000, last year – 42,954 left and 17,300 returned. When are the numbers of those who left and returned going to reverse? Will it happen at all? "Lithuania no longer has those legendary 3 million," said philosopher Krescencijus Stoskus. "These issues are becoming essential. This topic to me seems more fundamental than the emigration topic. It is the problem of the demographical situation. It has been estimated many years ago that around 2030, maybe 2050, Lithuania will have about 2.5 million residents. While at the moment, 700,000 of us are away already.

All politicians should keep in mind that during the World War II Lithuania lost around 850,000 people, the same number as during the independence years. It is hardly comparable to anything. It should suggest us that we are back to the pre-war period, that something is wrong with Lithuania of today, and it probably comes not only to emigration issues. It is a clear fact that living conditions in Lithuania are intolerable. It has nothing to do with sentiments: it is a fact that people cannot make ends meet, and when this problem in Lithuania grows to the extent of this kind of emigration, it only testifies that something is wrong with our politics," Stoskus said. He and independence act signatory, author Vidmante Jasukaityte, MP Loreta Grauziniene, MP, former minister of foreign affairs, economist, professor Povilas Gylys and Zalgiris movement participant Gediminas Jakavonis discussed these issues at the round table.