Lithuanians increasingly pessimistic as 70% say country is heading in wrong direction

A new public opinion poll reveals that 70% of Lithuanians believe the country’s situation has worsened in recent months, marking a sharp rise in pessimism compared to earlier this year, reports LRT, citing data from a survey conducted by Baltijos tyrimai for the ELTA news agency.

The April–May survey found that only 21% of respondents felt the country was moving in the right direction, while 71%—up from 63% in March—said conditions were deteriorating. Another 24% had held a positive view in early spring, but that figure has since declined. One in eight respondents (13%) declined to answer.

Optimism was highest among men, younger residents under 30 (41% of whom saw improvement), urban dwellers, those with higher education, high-income households (earning over €2,500 monthly), students, professionals, managers, and supporters of right-wing political parties. In contrast, pessimism prevailed among those over 50, rural residents, pensioners, manual laborers, farmers, and ethnic minorities.

Party affiliation also shaped perceptions: 78% of Nemuno aušra (Neman Dawn) supporters believed the country was on the wrong track—the highest dissatisfaction rate—while Tėvynės sąjunga–Lietuvos krikščionių demokratų (Homeland Union–Lithuanian Christian Democrats) and Liberalų sąjūdis (Liberal Movement) backers were the most optimistic, with 28% and 27% respectively seeing progress.

The poll, part of the Lietuvos Barometras (Lithuanian Barometer) series, was conducted via in-person interviews with 1,000 adults (18+) between April 23 and May 7, with a margin of error of up to 3.1%.