Lithuanian minister defends dance event proposal to boost birth rates

Lithuania’s social security and labour minister has dismissed criticism of her proposal to organise dance events as part of efforts to tackle the country’s declining birth rate, stating that “we excel at mocking and criticising” rather than addressing real problems.

Jūratė Zailskienė told Žinių radijas on Friday that while the idea of a “disco for demography” had been met with ridicule, Lithuania’s shrinking population required bold action to shift societal attitudes toward family life. “It’s always easiest to criticise and mock—we’re masters at that. But doing nothing and avoiding the conversation won’t solve the problem,” she said.

The minister clarified that the event would not simply be “a disco for the sake of a disco” but a targeted campaign, developed with businesses and cultural organisations, to draw attention to Lithuania’s demographic crisis. “We need families. Lithuania is disappearing,” she stressed, adding that the government’s broader 2027–2028 “Family Years” initiative includes multiple measures beyond the dance proposal.

Zailskienė argued that public discussion was key to changing mindsets, particularly among young people delaying parenthood. “We’ll talk about values, about what we must all do together so people finally understand that family is a value—not just personal convenience, but the survival of the Lithuanian nation,” she said. She acknowledged that the idea had originated as “a joke” but insisted the ministry was serious about creating engagement opportunities for young adults.

Earlier this week, Zailskienė suggested reviving “old-school discotheques” to help singles meet, noting that older generations still enjoyed dancing. The government’s Family Years plan, involving eight ministries, must be finalised by autumn to complement existing demographic policies.