Lithuanian Statistics Turns 106 Today
This year we celebrate a special anniversary – the 106th birthday of Lithuanian statistics. On 6 September 1919, the General Statistics Department was established as the first state institution to systematically collect and analyse data on the life of our country. Almost a century separates the first statistical yearbook published in Kaunas in 1927 and today’s modern interactive data portals.
The statistical data collected over more than a hundred years are not just a collection of numbers. Statistics make it possible to see the development of the state: the progress achieved, the challenges overcome, and the trends for our future.
On this occasion, let us take a look at some of the most interesting indicators: what Lithuania looked like in 1931 and what it looks like today.
Population and Birth Rate
In 1931, Lithuania had a population of 2,392,938 people (1,147,742 men and 1,245,241 women). In that year alone, 58,758 babies were born: 28,726 boys and 30,032 girls. The birth rate was more than 20 births per 1,000 inhabitants – the society was young and numerous.
At the beginning of 2025, the country’s population was 2,890,664 (1,373,683 men and 1,516,981 women). In 2024, only 19,086 babies were born, and the birth rate fell to 6.6 births per 1,000 inhabitants – nearly three times fewer babies are being born than a century ago. This is one of today’s most pressing demographic challenges.
Economy and Wages
In 1931, an unskilled industrial worker earned on average 6.45 litas in Kaunas and 6.55 litas in Klaipėda for an 8-hour working day. Skilled workers earned 12.25–13.1 litas per day. A large share of these earnings was spent on food and housing.
In 2025, the average monthly gross wage in Lithuania amounts to EUR 2,533.9. Even with rising prices, today’s standard of living is much higher: more funds remain for services, leisure, and travel.
Prices – from Litas to Euros
In 1931, a liter of milk cost about 0.17 litas, a kilogram of sugar – 0.55 litas, and a kilogram of iodized salt – just a few cents.
In July 2025, we pay on average EUR 1.27 for a liter of milk, EUR 1 for a kilogram of sugar, and EUR 0.65 for salt. Although prices have increased dozens of times, wages have grown even more – today, people’s purchasing power is much higher than a century ago.
Education and Higher Learning
In 1931, there were only a few hundred university graduates. By 1991, their number had reached 13,347, including 3,587 engineers, 4,224 teachers, and 1,587 doctors.
In 2024, 8,118 people obtained a university degree, and another 6,515 graduated from colleges. Today, higher education has become accessible to a wide range of people, with women making up more than half of all students.
Culture and Leisure
In 1931, there were 37 museums operating in Lithuania. By 1985, the number had risen to 41, in 1991 – to 53, and by 2024 – to as many as 111. Museums have been modernized, offering educational programmes, interactive exhibitions, and virtual tours.
Rural and urban clubs were another centre of cultural life. In 1970, there were 1,473 such clubs: as many as 1,214 in rural areas and 259 in cities. By 1985, the number had fallen to 1,396, and in 1991 – to 1,248 (1,020 in rural areas and 228 in cities). These were places where residents gathered for film screenings, dances, choir rehearsals, and performances. Today, their functions have been taken over by cultural centres, libraries, and community spaces.
Celebrating the 106th anniversary of Lithuanian statistics, the State Data Agency (Statistics Lithuania) reminds us that statistics are not only a reflection of the past – they tell the story of our path to the present. Lithuania has become a modern and advanced 21st–century state, facing new challenges and opportunities.
Statistics help not only to remember the past but also to anticipate the directions of the country’s development – so that we can build a state where more children are born, people feel safe, and culture thrives not only in cities but also in small towns. Over more than a century, the mission of the institutions themselves has also evolved. Today, the state data Agency is a full-fledged national data steward, which not only compiles statistics but also contributes to shaping national strategy and ensures that our society is informed and engaged. Data management is the state’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to challenges and to develop long-term solutions. Data analysis not only supports business growth but is also essential for science, medicine, and society in addressing the most important issues.
Last updated: 05-09-2025
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