Lithuanian

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June 30, 2026

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Lithuanians are the primary ethnic group in Lithuania, making up over 80% of the population. The official language is Lithuanian, a Baltic language with ancient roots. While historically a pagan country, Lithuania adopted Roman Catholicism in the late 14th century, and it remains the dominant religion today, though elements of paganism persist.1

Lithuania has a high birth rate compared to its Baltic neighbors, contributing to population growth. Despite periods of Soviet occupation and attempts at Russification, the country has maintained a strong sense of national consciousness and cultural identity, evident in its rich folklore, music, and literature. The nation also has a history of artistic expression, with notable contributions in folk art, drawing, music, and literature, though war and occupation have impacted its cultural development.2345

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Baltic states
Independent Lithuania
The less-accessible Lithuanians, living in dense forests and swamplands, managed to withstand the foreign incursions and preserve their independence. In 1236 a chieftain, Mindaugas, united several tribes into a Lithuanian political entity. In 1251 he accepted Roman Christianity, and in 1253 he joined the western political hierarchy…
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The less-accessible Lithuanians, living in dense forests and swamplands, managed to withstand the foreign incursions and preserve their independence. In 1236 a chieftain, Mindaugas, united several tribes into a Lithuanian political entity. In 1251 he accepted Roman Christianity, and in 1253 he joined the western political hierarchy…
Read More

Lithuania
Ethnic groups, languages, and religion
Ethnic Lithuanians make up more than four-fifths of the country’s population; there are also Russians and Poles and lesser numbers of Belarusians, Ukrainians, Latvians, Tatars, Roma (Gypsies), and others. There was a significant Jewish community in Lithuania prior to World War II, and an influx of…
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Ethnic Lithuanians make up more than four-fifths of the country’s population; there are also Russians and Poles and lesser numbers of Belarusians, Ukrainians, Latvians, Tatars, Roma (Gypsies), and others. There was a significant Jewish community in Lithuania prior to World War II, and an influx of…
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Balt
) In addition to the Lithuanians and the Latvians (Letts), several groups now extinct were included: the Yotvingians (Jatvians, or Jatvingians; assimilated among the Lithuanians and Slavs in the 16th–17th century); the Prussians (Germanized in the 18th century); the Curonians (Cours, or Kurs; Latvianized in the 16th century); and the…
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) In addition to the Lithuanians and the Latvians (Letts), several groups now extinct were included: the Yotvingians (Jatvians, or Jatvingians; assimilated among the Lithuanians and Slavs in the 16th–17th century); the Prussians (Germanized in the 18th century); the Curonians (Cours, or Kurs; Latvianized in the 16th century); and the…
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