Changes

In spite of several border changes, Soviet deportations, a massacre of its Jewish population, and German and Polish repatriations, the population of Lithuania has maintained a fairly stable percentage of ethnic Lithuanians (from 79.3% in 1959 to 84.6% in 2006). Lithuania's citizenship law and constitution meet international and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) standards, guaranteeing universal human and civil rights.  

In spite of several border changes, Soviet deportations, a massacre of its Jewish population, and German and Polish repatriations, the population of Lithuania has maintained a fairly stable percentage of ethnic Lithuanians (from 79.3% in 1959 to 84.6% in 2006). Lithuania's citizenship law and constitution meet international and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) standards, guaranteeing universal human and civil rights.  

The Lithuanian language still retains the original sound system and morphological peculiarities of the prototypal Indo-European tongue and, therefore, is fascinating for linguistic study. Between 400 and 600 AD, the Lithuanian and Latvian languages split from the Eastern Baltic (Prussian) language group, which subsequently became extinct. The first known written Lithuanian text dates from a hymnal translation in 1545. Written with the Latin alphabet, Lithuanian has been the official language of Lithuania since 1989. While Lithuania was a member of the U.S.S.R., Russian was the official language, so many Lithuanians speak Russian as a second language. The resident Slavic populace generally speaks Russian or Polish as a first language.  

The Lithuanian language still retains the original sound system and morphological peculiarities of the prototypal Indo-European tongue and, therefore, is fascinating for linguistic study. Between 400 and 600 AD, the Lithuanian and Latvian languages split from the Eastern Baltic (Prussian) language group, which subsequently became extinct. The first known written Lithuanian text dates from a hymnal translation in 1547. Written with a modified form of the Latin alphabet, Lithuanian has been the official language of Lithuania since 1989. While Lithuania was a member of the U.S.S.R., Russian was the official language, leading to many Lithuanians speaking Russian as a second language. The resident Slavic populace generally speaks Russian or Polish as a first language.  

*Population (2008): 3,354,700.

*Population (2012): 3,190,070.

*Annual growth rate (2006): -0.8%. Birth rate--9.2/1,000. Death rate--13.2/1,000.  

*Annual growth rate (2011): -0.28%. Birth rate (2012)--9.34/1,000. Death rate (2009)--11.18/1,000.  

*Population density (2007): 51.6 per sq. km.  

*Population density (2011): 122 per sq. km.  

*Ethnic groups (2007): Lithuanians 84.6%, Poles 6.3%, Russians 5.1%.  

*Ethnic groups (2007): Lithuanians 83.9%, Poles 6.6%, Russians 5.4%.  

*Religions (2001 census): Roman Catholic (79%), Russian Orthodox (4.1%), Protestant (including Lutheran and Evangelical Christian Baptist) (1.9%).

*Religions (2001 census): Roman Catholic (79%), Russian Orthodox (4.1%), Protestant (including Lutheran and Evangelical Christian Baptist) (1.9%).

*Languages (2006): Lithuanian (official language) (84.6%), Russian, and Polish

*Languages (2006): Lithuanian (official language) (84.6%), Russian, and Polish

*Education: Years compulsory--10 (until the age of 16). Literacy--99.6%.

*Education: Years compulsory--10 (until the age of 16). Literacy--99.7%.

*Health (2006): Infant mortality rate--6.78/1,000. Life expectancy--65.3 yrs. male, 77.06 yrs. female.

*Health (2012): Infant mortality rate--6.18/1,000. Life expectancy (2011)--69.98 yrs. male, 80.1 yrs. female.

*Work force (2007): 1.59 million: services 59.5%; industry 29%; agriculture 10.9%.  

*Work force (2007): 1.59 million: services 59.5%; industry 29%; agriculture 10.9%.

==Government and Political Conditions==

==Government and Political Conditions==