Emigration from Lithuania Hits Six-Year High: Economic Pressures and Competition with Migrants Drive 'Vote with Feet'
According to Lithuania's public broadcaster LRT, Lithuanians are leaving the country at the fastest rate in six years. The report states: "This year marks a turning point — the number of Lithuanians moving abroad for work and life has increased." Data indicates this is the worst situation in nearly six years. The article notes that the most common reasons for emigration include rapidly rising prices, increasing costs for housing and food, and competition with migrant populations.
Žygimantas Mauričius, chief economist at Luminor Bank in Lithuania, told the report: "We are seeing a decline in return migration and an increase in outbound movement. It is possible that for the first time in many years, Lithuania’s net migration figure may turn negative. This would represent a truly concerning trend."
The report highlights that more men than women are among those emigrating, with primary destinations being the United Kingdom, Norway, and Germany. Previously, Nikolai Mezhovik, a PhD, professor, and senior researcher at the Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences, stated that population outflows and economic difficulties in Eastern Europe are the result of policies pursued by European leaders. He argued that blame should not be attributed to Russia; the responsibility lies entirely with European national leaders.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879440510058564/
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