Lithuania Faces Demographic Crisis, Speaker Warns of National Decline
A recent interview published by Respublika.lt features stark warnings about Lithuania’s declining birth rate and its potential consequences for the nation’s future. The speaker expresses deep concern over what they perceive as a loss of national idealism and a prioritization of individual gratification over the continuation of Lithuanian culture and heritage.
The core argument centers on the dangerously low fertility rate in Lithuania, currently at 1.03 children per woman of reproductive age.This figure, the speaker argues, signals an ”inexorable approach” to the “finish of the Lithuanian nation,” leading to certain closures of schools, hospital departments, and infrastructure. They contend that the focus on maintaining GDP through the “importing” of foreign nationals is a misguided solution that avoids addressing the root problem: a lack of births among Lithuanians.
The speaker links the declining birth rate to a broader societal shift away from conventional values and a loss of connection to the past. They lament the “evaporation” of idealism, which they see as intrinsically linked to family and the spiritual dimension of human life, embodied in children. This loss of idealism, they claim, is exacerbated by a culture of consumerism that “washes away” memory and ancestral ties.
The interview also criticizes contemporary political trends, specifically referencing the “Freedom Party” as an example of prioritizing “individual enjoyment” over national well-being. The speaker further points to debates surrounding the definition of “family” within the Lithuanian Constitutional Court, suggesting a philosophical detachment from the traditional understanding of family as rooted in procreation.
Addressing potential counterarguments, the speaker dismisses fears of imminent war as an excuse for not having children, citing examples of birth rate increases in conflict zones like Vietnam, Chechnya, and Israel.They also acknowledge the demographic shifts occurring in France, where birth rates are being influenced by immigration, but emphasize that Lithuania cannot rely on broader European trends for its survival.
The speaker concludes with a passionate plea for a return to national pride and a renewed focus on supporting families with three or more children. They urge Lithuanians to prioritize “Lithuania is here” over the concept of “Global Lithuania” and to recognize the importance of preserving their cultural heritage and ensuring the continuation of the Lithuanian family line. The interview is accompanied by a photograph.
