Lithuanian parliament rejects proposal to classify 11-year-olds as youth

The Lithuanian Seimas has rejected a proposal to lower the minimum age for youth classification from 14 to 11 years, as reported by the state news agency ELTA on Monday.

The amendment to the Law on Youth Policy, submitted by deputy chair of the opposition Liberal Movement faction Edita Rudelienė, sought to expand youth eligibility for participation in youth organisations. The proposal received 29 votes in favour, 18 against, and 32 abstentions—falling short of approval. The draft has been returned for further refinement but may resurface in plenary sessions.

Rudelienė welcomed the fact that Social Security and Labour Minister Jūratė Zailskienė is also preparing legislative amendments to adjust the youth age range from 11 to 29 years, aligning with calls from youth organisations. The minister argued that social and emotional challenges among young people begin earlier, necessitating state support before adolescence.

Liberal MP Andrius Bagdonas noted that EU member states apply broader youth age definitions, citing examples such as Estonia (7–26 years), Luxembourg (12–29 years), and Latvia (13–25 years). However, Social Democrat Birutė Vėsaitė countered that 11-year-olds remain “minors,” raising concerns about potential conflicts with the Criminal Code and broader legal system.

Under current Lithuanian law, youth status applies to individuals aged 14 to 29. The World Health Organization defines adolescence as spanning ages 10 to 19, with early adolescence beginning around 10–11 years.