Lithuania launches fertility and family study to examine delayed family formation

Lithuania’s government has initiated a large-scale study on fertility and family dynamics to investigate why people are forming families later in life, state broadcaster LRT reports.

The research, led by the Government Strategic Analysis Centre (STRATA) alongside academic and public sector partners, will gather detailed data on family formation, childbearing, parenting, partnerships, gender roles, and work-life balance. The goal is to identify the factors influencing delayed family creation and inform evidence-based policy decisions.

“Today, we take an important step toward strengthening Lithuania’s family policy with scientifically grounded decisions that directly impact people’s lives,” said Giedrė Purvaneckienė, the prime minister’s advisor on family policy. She added that the study would help policymakers better understand family experiences and needs, leading to “long-term, stable solutions” for the country’s future.

Vaida Jankauskaitė, STRATA’s chief policy analyst, noted that the research would shift the government’s approach from reacting to demographic trends to addressing their root causes. “This will enable more targeted family policy measures,” she said.

Data collection will begin in July, with a second phase planned for 2029 to track changes over time. The findings will support ongoing analysis and policy recommendations, particularly in shaping Lithuania’s demographic and family support strategies.

The study was launched in December 2025 under government initiative, with implementation by a consortium including STRATA, Vytautas Magnus University, the Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences, and the State Data Agency.