Almost half of parents in Lithuania did not use childcare services last year

Nearly half of parents raising children under 15 in Lithuania did not use professional childcare services in 2025, with some struggling to balance work and childcare, according to data from the state-run Statistics Lithuania, as reported by the Baltic News Service (BNS).

Official figures show that 45.3% of parents did not rely on nurseries, kindergartens, preschools, extended-day groups, or paid childminders last year. Viktoras Andrejevas, head of the Family Association, told BNS that this was not a matter of choice but necessity, as services are either unavailable or impractical for many families.

Among parents who did not use childcare services, 46.1% said they cared for their children themselves, while 25.8% reported their children could manage independently. Another 7.7% relied on grandparents or others, 4% found services too expensive, 1.5% cited inaccessibility (unavailable or no vacancies), and 1.1% were dissatisfied with quality.

Andrejevas highlighted nurseries as the most problematic service due to severe shortages near residential areas, with available spots filling instantly. “Parents fight over these places,” he said, noting that many opt to stay home rather than navigate an unreliable system. Private kindergartens attempt to fill gaps, but costs remain prohibitive for some.

Viktorija Kolbešnikova of the Equal Opportunities Development Centre told BNS that affordability and accessibility remain key barriers, particularly given Lithuania’s income inequality. “Formally, services exist, but real access is limited,” she said, adding that many families dismiss unaffordable options outright.

Andrejevas also noted cultural factors, with some parents prioritising direct involvement in child-rearing. However, he said societal norms have not yet fully embraced this as a valid reason to leave the workforce.

Separately, 15.2% of residents reported difficulties balancing work with care responsibilities for children, partners, or relatives. Among them, 3.4% cited long or exhausting work hours as the primary challenge, 3% struggled with unpredictable schedules, and 1.4% faced long commutes.