Lithuania is a small Eastern European country located on the Baltic Sea, with a population of around 2.8 million people. The main ethnic group is Lithuanian, making up around 84% of the population. Other ethnic groups include Poles, Russians and Belarusians. The majority of Lithuanians are Roman Catholic, with other religions such as Protestantism and Judaism making up much of the remaining population. Additionally, there is also a small Muslim minority living in Lithuania as well. The literacy rate in Lithuania is close to 99%, and the average life expectancy is 75 years. Check hyperrestaurant to learn more about Lithuania in 2009.
Social conditions
Lithuania is one of the poorer EU countries. Visit AbbreviationFinder to see the definitions of LTH and acronym for Lithuania. During the 2000s, the country has experienced strong economic growth, with the exception of the last years of the 00s. However, wealth is unevenly distributed, and despite a growing middle class, the differences in living conditions continue to be large.
Like the other two Baltic states, Lithuania was largely spared during the Soviet period from the great differences that existed in other parts of the Union between different regions, and especially between the city and the countryside. However, the enjoyment of social benefits was largely dependent on the profession and the employer. Prior to the restoration of the country’s independence, Lithuania shared with other Union republics a social security system that was centrally controlled and paid through the central budget or directly by employers. Check to see Lithuania population.
A new system was established in 1990–91, during which pensions, parental and sickness insurance and unemployment benefits were organized. Lithuania’s pension system was reformed again in 2004. An opportunity was given to place part of the pension insurance contribution into individual pension accounts. More than 40% of the workforce is currently covered by the pension system and the retirement age is 62.5 years for men and 60 years for women. To receive full pension you must have been insured for 30 years. Health insurance is compulsory, and the employer pays 3% of the salary to the health insurance. Pregnant women can be unemployed for up to 70 days before estimated birth and then receive compensation for 56 days. Parental allowance is paid to professionals or students with children under 2 years of age. State spending on social protection networks in 2010 was just over 21% of GDP.
After independence, the standard of living in Lithuania fell on several social indicators. Health care had major problems with financing and public health deteriorated, which had direct consequences for eg. life expectancy. In 1993, life expectancy for men was only 63 years; In 2017, it had increased to 70 years. The expected life expectancy for women in 2017 was 81 years.
According to Eurostat, in 2009 there were about 37 doctors per 10,000 residents. In 2009, the healthcare sector accounted for 6.6% of the country’s GDP.
Gender discrimination, both directly and indirectly, is prohibited by law, but women are nevertheless discriminated against in several areas of society. The pay gap between women and men has increased in recent years, and domestic violence is relatively widespread. Only 19% of the country’s MPs in 2011 were women. Lithuania has also been recognized for its discrimination against homosexuals and bisexuals, and homophobia is deeply rooted in Lithuanian society. Lithuania’s parliament adopted a morale law in 2009 prohibits information on gay and bisexuality, and manifestations of LGBT rights have been stopped by authorities.