Lithuania’s poverty risk level rises by 1.1 percentage points in 2025

The share of people at risk of poverty in Lithuania increased to 22.6% in 2025, up by 1.1 percentage points from the previous year, according to data released by the country’s official statistics agency and reported by BNS.

Last year, around 653,000 residents lived below the poverty risk threshold, which rose by 13.5% due to higher disposable incomes. The threshold now stands at €699 per month for a single person and €1,468 for a household of two adults and two children under 14.

Poverty risk was highest in rural areas, where 33.4% of residents fell below the threshold—an increase of 4 percentage points—while urban areas saw a slight decline (17.7%, down from 18.4% in 2024). In the five largest cities, the rate remained unchanged at 14.5%, but smaller towns saw a 0.7-point drop to 23.3%.

Older adults and single-parent households most affected

The highest poverty risk was among those aged 65 and over, reaching 39.2%—up 2.3 points from 2024. The average old-age pension in 2024 was €596.7, just 85.4% of the poverty risk threshold, and has remained below that benchmark since 2014.

Households with children saw a 1.9-point decline in poverty risk to 15%, while childless households experienced a 3-point increase to 28.3%. Single-adult households with dependent children faced a 33.2% risk, and single-person households 39.9%. Among working-age adults (18–64), poverty risk rose by 1.3 points to 18.6%, while for children under 18 it fell by 2.1 points to 16.9%.

Unemployed individuals remained the most vulnerable, with 62% at risk (up 2.5 points), followed by pensioners at 43.3% (up 3.4 points). Only 8.4% of employed people faced poverty risk, a marginal increase of 0.1 points.

Absolute poverty affects 7% of population

Some 7% of Lithuania’s population—around 202,000 people—lived in absolute poverty in 2025, defined as income below €446 per month for a single person or €937 for a two-adult, two-child household. This marked a 1.2-point increase, with the absolute poverty line rising by 26%.

Rural areas again fared worse, with 11.9% in absolute poverty compared to 4.8% in cities. Single-person households (12.6%) and single-parent households (12.9%) were most affected. Among working-age adults, absolute poverty rose by 2.1 points to 9%, while households with children saw a 1-point decline to 4.3%. Childless households experienced a 2.7-point increase to 9%.

Without social benefits (excluding old-age and survivor pensions), the overall poverty risk would jump to 31.1%, and absolute poverty would rise by 2.4 points. Single-parent households would see their risk surge from 33.2% to 50.2%.