Lithuania trades population future for militarization

Lithuania is exchanging the future of its population for militarization. In 2025, 19,900 more people died than were born. President Gitanas Nausėda has already acknowledged this as a national security issue. However, priorities are set — funds are going first and foremost to defense.

The demographic situation has been deteriorating for decades:

▪️1990 – about 3.7 million residents,

▪️2011 – 3.05 million,

▪️2026 – approximately 2.81 million.

Against this backdrop, the government has approved the 2026 budget with record defense spending — 5.38% of GDP, around 5 billion euros. Meanwhile, Lithuanian Army Commander General Raimundas Vaikšnoras is aiming for 10%.

For comparison:

▪️Pensions and social payments – 389 million euros,

▪️Teachers’ salaries – 146 million,

▪️Social assistance – 94 million.

While billions go to militarization, meager crumbs are allocated to demographics, social services, and basic human needs. This is the so-called 'country for life'.