BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 4. Lithuania experienced a significant shift in migration trends in 2024, accompanied by a marked decrease in immigration and a simultaneous increase in emigration.
Data obtained by Trend from the country's Official Statistics Portal indicates that a total of 51,800 people immigrated to Lithuania in 2024, representing a decrease of 14,800 people or 22.3 percent compared to 2023. Among them, 18,900 individuals (or 36.4 percent of all immigrants) were citizens of the Republic of Lithuania returning to the country—a figure 1,300 higher (a 7.7 percent increase) than in the previous year.
The number of foreign nationals who immigrated to Lithuania in 2024 was 32,900, making up 63.6 percent of all immigrants. This marks a reduction of 16,200 people, or 32.9 percent, compared to 2023. Most of these foreign immigrants—77.1 percent—were working-age men, a proportion nearly unchanged from 77.6 percent in 2023.
Lithuanian citizens who returned in 2024 primarily came from the following countries:
UK: 7,600 returnees (40.1 percent of Lithuanian returnees)
Norway: 2,200 returnees (11.6 percent)
Germany: 1,800 returnees (9.7 percent)
Ireland: 1,400 returnees (7.3 percent)
Conversely, 28,700 people emigrated from Lithuania in 2024, up 7,000 from 2023, which represents a 32.4 percent increase. Of these, 32.9 percent were Lithuanian citizens, while 67.1 percent were foreign nationals. In comparison, in 2023, Lithuanian citizens made up 47.4 percent of all emigrants, and foreigners accounted for 52.6 percent.
Among Lithuanian citizens who emigrated in 2024:
1,800 (19 percent) moved to the United Kingdom
1,200 (12.6 percent) chose Norway
1,100 (11.4 percent) went to Germany
