Lithuania

Languages:

The official language of Lithuania is Lithuanian, and it is spoken by the vast majority of the population. Lithuanian is a Baltic language and is one of the oldest and most archaic Indo-European languages. It is also considered to be one of the most conservative living languages in Europe. Russian is also widely spoken, particularly among the older generations and in urban areas, but its use has declined since Lithuania gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1990. English is taught as a second language in schools and is becoming increasingly popular, particularly among younger generations and in business settings.

Religion:

The majority of the population in Lithuania identifies as Roman Catholic, with the Roman Catholic Church being the largest religious organization in the country. Other Christian denominations, such as the Orthodox Church and various Protestant churches, are also present in Lithuania, but they represent a smaller percentage of the population. Lithuania also has a small Jewish community, although it was greatly reduced during World War II. The Constitution of Lithuania guarantees freedom of religion and prohibits discrimination based on religious beliefs. However, religious tensions have been a source of conflict, particularly between the Catholic and Orthodox communities.

Ethnic Groups:

Lithuanian 84.1%, Polish 6.6%, Russian 5.8%, Belarusian 1.2%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.2% (2011 est.)