Lithuania lacks state policy to address loneliness among seniors, audit finds

Lithuania has no coherent state policy to tackle loneliness among older adults, with non-governmental organisations bearing most of the responsibility, the country’s State Comptroller Irena Segalovičienė said Monday, citing findings from a recent national audit, LRT reports.

The audit revealed a “serious loneliness problem” in Lithuania, with no targeted government strategy to address it, Segalovičienė told LRT Radio. She stressed the need for systemic solutions, including better conditions for older workers to remain in the labour market, expanded social services to support independent living, and improved access to healthcare and cultural activities.

“Right now, everything rests on the shoulders of NGOs, while state policy lacks direction,” Segalovičienė said. She noted that Lithuania’s 830,000 residents over 60 have diverse needs that often go unmet, partly because local governments fail to assess them properly. “Only a few municipalities actively monitor these needs,” she added.

The audit, published in April, found that just two of Lithuania’s 60 municipalities have implemented specific measures to encourage cultural engagement among seniors. Most local activities target the general population without considering older adults’ needs. Participation rates remain low, with only 42.7% of seniors attending cultural events and around 10% volunteering.

State documents also lack priorities for senior inclusion, the audit found, with the Culture Ministry’s plans focusing only on general accessibility. The Comptroller’s Office recommended cross-ministerial action to boost seniors’ participation in cultural life and volunteering, warning that current efforts are insufficient.

Segalovičienė called for a coordinated approach, emphasising that no single ministry can solve the issue alone.