New statistics showing that the domestic population of Lithuania could be less than 3 million people has prompted the President's economic advisor to warn of growing nepotism and poor morale.
"The problem is acute and we must be glad that at least the song 'Three million' is not yet out. But there are many factors and reasons why the population is declining. A declining birth rate, high mortality rates and an aging population and emigration," advisor Nerijus Udrenas said on radio.
Udrenas said that emigration is being caused by pull factors outside the country as well as crowding out at home. Young people find it very difficult to find good work in Lithuania because of nepotism.
"Conditions abroad have attracted many from Lithuania, but pushing factors are also important - not only the economic situation in the country, but also the overall morale, career opportunities for young people along with nepotism entrenched in both the public and private sectors," Udrenas said.
Udrenas stressed that the most important thing for young people is to be able to obtain housing and a steady source of income.
Once people have a home and an income and start a family, only then do they think about other expenses, he said.
To keep people in the country, social services must improve, housing supply must increase and bureaucracy needs to be reduced. Economic growth is also important, he said.
According to the Statistics Department, Lithuania has an official population of just over 3 million people.
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