Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
Population Statistics Division of State Data Agency (Statistics Lithuania)
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
State Data Agency (Statistics Lithuania)
Gedimino ave. 29,
01500 Vilnius,
LITHUANIA
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
30 December 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
30 December 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
30 December 2025
3.1. Data description
Data and metadata are transmitted to Eurostat by the Member States in the framework of the Unified Demographic Data Collection which is in accordance with Regulation (EC) 862/2007 and Regulation (EU) 1260/2013 and their implementing regulations.
The objective of the Determination of the Usually Resident Population and its Composition statistical survey is to produce and provide for users statistical information on the number of the resident population and its structure by sex, age, citizenship, country of birth, marital status, territorial-administrative units (Capital Region, Central and Western Lithuanian Region, county, municipality (in total, towns/cities, urban/rural areas)) and other indicators. The usually resident population and its structure are determined using a cohort-component method (based on the results of the most recent population and housing census, statistical data on live births, deaths, individuals changing their usual place of residence, territorial-administrative changes).
The objective of the Fertility Statistical Survey is to produce and provide for users statistical information on the number of live births by sex, country of birth, citizenship, birth order, territorial-administrative units (Capital Region, Central and Western Lithuanian Region, county, municipality (in total, towns/cities, urban/rural areas)), also statistical information about parents (age, country of birth, citizenship, legal marital status, duration of marriage, etc.), the number of deliveries and other indicators. The survey is a total survey. For the survey, data from birth records in the Population Register and other data from the register on the baby's and its parents' place of residence, as well as data from identity documents issued in the Republic of Lithuania (document type, date of issue and expiry), are used.
The objective of the Mortality Statistical Survey is to produce and provide for users statistical information on the number of deaths by sex, age, country of birth, citizenship, legal marital status, territorial-administrative units (Capital Region, Central and Western Lithuanian Region, county, municipality (in total, towns/cities, urban/rural areas)), as well as the number of stillbirths by sex, birth order, urban/rural areas, age of mother and other indicators. The survey is a total survey carried out on the basis of the Population Register data. The survey population is formed on the basis of data from records of births and deaths from the Population Register and data from identity documents issued in the Republic of Lithuania (document type, date of issue and expiry).
The objective of the International Migration Statistical Survey is to produce and provide for users statistical information on the number of immigrants and emigrants, their composition by sex, age, citizenship, country of birth, last or next place (country) of residence, marital status, territorial-administrative units (Capital Region, Central and Western Lithuanian Region, county, municipality (in total, towns/cities, urban/rural areas)) and other indicators. The survey is a total survey. The main data source of immigration and emigration indicators is the data from the Population Register. The population of the survey is compiled based on the following data from the Population Register: declared place of residence in the Republic of Lithuania, date of arrival, country of departure, date of departure, county of destination. The main criteria for defining immigrants and emigrants are the change of a country of the usual residence and duration of stay or absence in case of intention to take up usual residence in a new place (country) for good or for a period, not less than 12 months.
The objective of the Marriage Statistical Survey is to produce and provide for users statistical information on the number of marriages and married persons by sex, age, mean age at marriage, previous marital status, citizenship, marriages by age differences of the newlyweds, territorial-administrative units (Capital Region, Central and Western Lithuanian Region, county, municipality (in total, towns/cities, urban/rural areas)) and other indicators. The survey is a total survey carried out on the basis of the Population Register data. The survey population is formed on the basis of data from records of marriage from the Population Register and data from identity documents issued in the Republic of Lithuania (document type, date of issue and expiry).
The objective of the Divorce Statistical Survey is to produce and provide for user’s statistical information on the number of divorces and divorced persons by sex, age, a number of common children, duration of the marriage, citizenship, territorial-administrative units (Capital Region, Central, and Western Lithuanian Region, county, municipality (in total, towns/cities, urban/rural areas)) and other indicators. The survey is a total survey carried out on the basis of the Population Register data. The survey population is formed on the basis of data from records of divorce from the Population Register and data from identity documents issued in the Republic of Lithuania (document type, date of issue and expiry).
The objective of the Annual Survey of health care establishments is to produce and provide for users statistical information on the resources and activities of health care institutions, including the number of abortions by ICD-10 code, age of women, urban/rural inhabitants.
Acquisitions/loss of citizenship
Includes the list of any categories of persons, who have acquired citizenship during the reference year and who might have been excluded from the figures reported (e.g. adopted children, non-nationals married to citizens of the reporting country, only naturalizations reported, etc.). A person must swear an oath of allegiance to the Republic of Lithuania within 6 months for stateless persons, and 2 years for persons who have the citizenship of another state from the day of entry into force of the Decree of the President of the Republic, whereby a person is granted citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania. So, if the citizenship was granted during the reference year and the person took the oath to the Republic of Lithuania during the period of 6 months for stateless persons, and 2 years for persons who have the citizenship of another state, it might be that this person is excluded from the figures of the reporting year and is included into the next year’s statistics.
3.2. Classification system
The regional breakdown of the Member States in the regional demographic tables is done under the most recent NUTS classification. There are agreements between Eurostat and Candidate countries as well as between Eurostat and EFTA countries, for which statistical regions have been coded in a way that resembles NUTS. For more information on the versions in force, please see Eurostat NUTS.
3.3. Coverage - sector
Not applicable.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
3.4.1 Statistical concepts and definitions used in the statistics transmitted to Eurostat
One of the following definitions is used by a country when explaining the statistical concepts:
Usually resident population means all persons having their usual residence in a Member State at the reference time; for more information see the Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 1260/2013.
Legal residence population is composed of those persons who are entitled to be settled in the country at the reference date, either by holding the national citizenship or by other authorization issued by national authorities.
Registered residence population is composed of those persons who are listed on one or more registers owned by national authorities at the reference date. Each registered person shall be counted only once.
See the table 3.4.1 in the annex POPSTAT_UNIESMS_A.
3.4.2 Statistical concepts and definitions used in the statistics disseminated in the National Statistical Institute's website
See the table 3.4.2 in the annex POPSTAT_UNIESMS_A.
3.5. Statistical unit
Number of persons.
3.6. Statistical population
See the table 3.6 in the annex POPSTAT_UNIESMS_A.
3.7. Reference area
Population, live births and deaths data are available at national and regional level of geographical detail.
3.8. Coverage - Time
The number of the usually resident population by national level is comparable since 1959, by territorial-administrative units – since 1990.
The number of live births and the number of deaths by national level are comparable since 1950, by territorial-administrative units – since 1990.
The number of immigrants and the number of emigrants by national level are comparable since 1990. The number of immigrants and emigrants by different breakdowns, i.e. age, sex, citizenship, country of birth, etc. is comparable since 2001.
The number of marriages and the number of divorces by national level are comparable since 1950, by territorial-administrative units – since 1994.
The numbers of legally induced abortions are comparable since 1975.
The number of persons who have acquired citizenship at the national level is comparable since 2005.
The number of persons who have lost citizenship at the national level is comparable since 1992.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Data is collected at unit (person) level.
The reference date for population data is the end of the reference period (midnight of 31 December). The reference period for vital and dual events data is the calendar year in which the events occurred. The reference period for migration flow data is the calendar year during which the migration occurred.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
For demographic and migration statistics:
Regulation (EC) No 1338/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on Community statistics on public health and health and safety at work.
In the process of statistical data collection, processing and analysis, and dissemination of statistical information, State Data Agency (Statistics Lithuania) fully guarantees the confidentiality of the data submitted by respondents (households, enterprises, institutions, organizations, and other statistical units), as defined in the Confidentiality Policy Guidelines of Statistics Lithuania.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Statistical Disclosure Control Manual, approved by Order No DĮ-107 of 26 April 2022 of the Director General of Statistics Lithuania.
The State Data Governance Information System Data Security Regulations and Rules for the Secure Management of Electronic Information in the State Data Governance Information System, approved by Order No DĮ-202 of 27 August 2021 of the Director General of Statistics Lithuania.
Statistical information is published following the Official Statistics Dissemination Policy Guidelines and Statistical Information Dissemination and Communication Rules of Statistics Lithuania approved by Order No DĮ-176 of 2 July 2021 of the Director General of Statistics Lithuania.
Weekly, monthly, annual.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Provisional annual statistical information on usually resident population number, the number of live births, deaths, marriages, divorces, and international migration are announced in a news release at the beginning of January.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Statistical information is published in the following statistical e-publication: Lithuania in Figures.
See the table 11.2.2 in the annex POPSTAT_UNIESMS_A.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Main users of statistical information on demographic and migration statistics are State and municipal authorities and agencies, international organizations, the media, research and business communities, students, Eurostat, whose needs are satisfied without a breach of the confidentiality principle.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Since 2005, user opinion surveys have been conducted on a regular basis. The Official Statistics Portal traffic is monitored, website visitor opinion polls, general opinion poll on the products and services of Statistics Lithuania, target user group opinion polls and other surveys are conducted.
In 2007, the compilation of a user satisfaction index was launched. The said surveys are aimed at the assessment of the overall demand for and necessity of statistical information in general, and specific statistical indicators in particular.
For more information on user surveys and their results, see section User surveys on the Statistics Lithuania website.
12.3. Completeness
All indicators established by the legislation and their components are published.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Overall accuracy and special cases (inclusion/exclusion of asylum seekers and refugees, persons living on unauthorised or irregular basis, international students, persons who do not register/deregister, etc.).
See the table 13.1 in the annex POPSTAT_UNIESMS_A.
13.1.1 Accuracy - unknown values
See the table 13.1.1 in the annex POPSTAT_UNIESMS_A.
13.2. Sampling error
See the table 13.2 in the annex POPSTAT_UNIESMS_A.
13.3. Non-sampling error
See the table 13.3 in the annex POPSTAT_UNIESMS_A.
14.1. Timeliness
According to Article 4 (2) of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 205/2014, each year Member States shall provide the Commission (Eurostat) with data at national and regional level as described in Annex II and related standard reference metadata (in the metadata structure definition defined for the Euro SDMX Metadata Structure) for the reference year within 12 months of the end of the reference year. According to Article 3 (2) of the Commission Regulation (EU) No 862/2007, Statistics on international migration, usually resident population and acquisition of citizenship shall be supplied to the Commission (Eurostat) within 12 months of the end of the reference year.
14.2. Punctuality
Not applicable.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The data are internationally comparable. Data are available at national and regional (NUTS 2, NUTS 3) levels.
15.2. Comparability - over time
See the table 15.2 in the annex POPSTAT_UNIESMS_A.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
The difference between IM (International Migration) and RP (Residence Permits) flow statistics:
The number of immigrants estimated by the State Data Agency (Statistics Lithuania) is based on the intention to change the usual residence for a period not shorter than a year.
If a birth has occurred for a third-country national that holds a temporary residence permit in the Republic of Lithuania, a temporary residence permit is also issued for a newborn, including it in RP statistics. However, this newborn is included in birth statistics, but not in the IM.
The difference between IM (International Migration) and RP (Residence Permits) stock statistics:
The number of immigrants estimated by the State Data Agency (Statistics Lithuania) is based on the intention to change the usual residence for a period not shorter than a year.
IM from the third-country nationals who hold temporary residence permits for 12 months or more, but have declared their departure from the Republic of Lithuania during the reference year, are not included in the total number of immigrants, but are included in RP statistics.
If a newborn of a third-country national that holds a temporary residence permit in the Republic of Lithuania emigrates during the reference year, he/she is included in the total number of emigrants.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Monthly and annual statistical indicators are coherent.
No burden on respondents as data are collected from administrative data sources.
Revisions are conducted according to the release calendar.
The number of immigrants for 2012–2020 has been recalculated on the basis of the results of the 2021 Population and Housing Census of the Republic of Lithuania, based on which undeclared immigrations flows of Lithuanian citizens in 2012–2020 were estimated.
18.1. Source data
See the table 18.1 in the annex POPSTAT_UNIESMS_A.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Frequency of data on the usually resident population is monthly, 1 July, annual.
Frequency of data on live births, marriages, divorces, and international migration – monthly, annual. Frequency of data on deaths – weekly, monthly, annual.
18.3. Data collection
Administrative data are obtained, updated and used in accordance with the procedure established by legal acts in accordance with the agreements and arrangements concluded between the State Data Agency (Statistics Lithuania) and administrative data managers.
18.4. Data validation
The statistical relevance is judged by the quality of the statistical information obtained. Statistical data control requirements are set in the statistical survey on Determination of the Usual Resident Population and its Composition programming work technical specification, produced following an approved survey's methodology.
Statistical information for the reference year is compared with the previous year. Statistical data validation is performed based on the quality of the information received. Trends of the time series, significant changes in trends and reasons that have caused this are analyzed. Relationships among statistical indicators and, in the case of significant deviations, reasons for the deviation are studied. If missing values are detected, errors are corrected.
18.5. Data compilation
Methods of grouping and summarizing statistics are used to compile statistical information. Missing administrative data values are recorded using historical data or logical ,or nearest neighbor recording methods.
Data and metadata are transmitted to Eurostat by the Member States in the framework of the Unified Demographic Data Collection which is in accordance with Regulation (EC) 862/2007 and Regulation (EU) 1260/2013 and their implementing regulations.
The objective of the Determination of the Usually Resident Population and its Composition statistical survey is to produce and provide for users statistical information on the number of the resident population and its structure by sex, age, citizenship, country of birth, marital status, territorial-administrative units (Capital Region, Central and Western Lithuanian Region, county, municipality (in total, towns/cities, urban/rural areas)) and other indicators. The usually resident population and its structure are determined using a cohort-component method (based on the results of the most recent population and housing census, statistical data on live births, deaths, individuals changing their usual place of residence, territorial-administrative changes).
The objective of the Fertility Statistical Survey is to produce and provide for users statistical information on the number of live births by sex, country of birth, citizenship, birth order, territorial-administrative units (Capital Region, Central and Western Lithuanian Region, county, municipality (in total, towns/cities, urban/rural areas)), also statistical information about parents (age, country of birth, citizenship, legal marital status, duration of marriage, etc.), the number of deliveries and other indicators. The survey is a total survey. For the survey, data from birth records in the Population Register and other data from the register on the baby's and its parents' place of residence, as well as data from identity documents issued in the Republic of Lithuania (document type, date of issue and expiry), are used.
The objective of the Mortality Statistical Survey is to produce and provide for users statistical information on the number of deaths by sex, age, country of birth, citizenship, legal marital status, territorial-administrative units (Capital Region, Central and Western Lithuanian Region, county, municipality (in total, towns/cities, urban/rural areas)), as well as the number of stillbirths by sex, birth order, urban/rural areas, age of mother and other indicators. The survey is a total survey carried out on the basis of the Population Register data. The survey population is formed on the basis of data from records of births and deaths from the Population Register and data from identity documents issued in the Republic of Lithuania (document type, date of issue and expiry).
The objective of the International Migration Statistical Survey is to produce and provide for users statistical information on the number of immigrants and emigrants, their composition by sex, age, citizenship, country of birth, last or next place (country) of residence, marital status, territorial-administrative units (Capital Region, Central and Western Lithuanian Region, county, municipality (in total, towns/cities, urban/rural areas)) and other indicators. The survey is a total survey. The main data source of immigration and emigration indicators is the data from the Population Register. The population of the survey is compiled based on the following data from the Population Register: declared place of residence in the Republic of Lithuania, date of arrival, country of departure, date of departure, county of destination. The main criteria for defining immigrants and emigrants are the change of a country of the usual residence and duration of stay or absence in case of intention to take up usual residence in a new place (country) for good or for a period, not less than 12 months.
The objective of the Marriage Statistical Survey is to produce and provide for users statistical information on the number of marriages and married persons by sex, age, mean age at marriage, previous marital status, citizenship, marriages by age differences of the newlyweds, territorial-administrative units (Capital Region, Central and Western Lithuanian Region, county, municipality (in total, towns/cities, urban/rural areas)) and other indicators. The survey is a total survey carried out on the basis of the Population Register data. The survey population is formed on the basis of data from records of marriage from the Population Register and data from identity documents issued in the Republic of Lithuania (document type, date of issue and expiry).
The objective of the Divorce Statistical Survey is to produce and provide for user’s statistical information on the number of divorces and divorced persons by sex, age, a number of common children, duration of the marriage, citizenship, territorial-administrative units (Capital Region, Central, and Western Lithuanian Region, county, municipality (in total, towns/cities, urban/rural areas)) and other indicators. The survey is a total survey carried out on the basis of the Population Register data. The survey population is formed on the basis of data from records of divorce from the Population Register and data from identity documents issued in the Republic of Lithuania (document type, date of issue and expiry).
The objective of the Annual Survey of health care establishments is to produce and provide for users statistical information on the resources and activities of health care institutions, including the number of abortions by ICD-10 code, age of women, urban/rural inhabitants.
Acquisitions/loss of citizenship
Includes the list of any categories of persons, who have acquired citizenship during the reference year and who might have been excluded from the figures reported (e.g. adopted children, non-nationals married to citizens of the reporting country, only naturalizations reported, etc.). A person must swear an oath of allegiance to the Republic of Lithuania within 6 months for stateless persons, and 2 years for persons who have the citizenship of another state from the day of entry into force of the Decree of the President of the Republic, whereby a person is granted citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania. So, if the citizenship was granted during the reference year and the person took the oath to the Republic of Lithuania during the period of 6 months for stateless persons, and 2 years for persons who have the citizenship of another state, it might be that this person is excluded from the figures of the reporting year and is included into the next year’s statistics.
30 December 2025
3.4.1 Statistical concepts and definitions used in the statistics transmitted to Eurostat
One of the following definitions is used by a country when explaining the statistical concepts:
Usually resident population means all persons having their usual residence in a Member State at the reference time; for more information see the Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 1260/2013.
Legal residence population is composed of those persons who are entitled to be settled in the country at the reference date, either by holding the national citizenship or by other authorization issued by national authorities.
Registered residence population is composed of those persons who are listed on one or more registers owned by national authorities at the reference date. Each registered person shall be counted only once.
See the table 3.4.1 in the annex POPSTAT_UNIESMS_A.
3.4.2 Statistical concepts and definitions used in the statistics disseminated in the National Statistical Institute's website
See the table 3.4.2 in the annex POPSTAT_UNIESMS_A.
Number of persons.
See the table 3.6 in the annex POPSTAT_UNIESMS_A.
Population, live births and deaths data are available at national and regional level of geographical detail.
The reference date for population data is the end of the reference period (midnight of 31 December). The reference period for vital and dual events data is the calendar year in which the events occurred. The reference period for migration flow data is the calendar year during which the migration occurred.
Overall accuracy and special cases (inclusion/exclusion of asylum seekers and refugees, persons living on unauthorised or irregular basis, international students, persons who do not register/deregister, etc.).
See the table 13.1 in the annex POPSTAT_UNIESMS_A.
13.1.1 Accuracy - unknown values
See the table 13.1.1 in the annex POPSTAT_UNIESMS_A.
Data is collected at unit (person) level.
Methods of grouping and summarizing statistics are used to compile statistical information. Missing administrative data values are recorded using historical data or logical ,or nearest neighbor recording methods.
See the table 18.1 in the annex POPSTAT_UNIESMS_A.
Weekly, monthly, annual.
According to Article 4 (2) of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 205/2014, each year Member States shall provide the Commission (Eurostat) with data at national and regional level as described in Annex II and related standard reference metadata (in the metadata structure definition defined for the Euro SDMX Metadata Structure) for the reference year within 12 months of the end of the reference year. According to Article 3 (2) of the Commission Regulation (EU) No 862/2007, Statistics on international migration, usually resident population and acquisition of citizenship shall be supplied to the Commission (Eurostat) within 12 months of the end of the reference year.
The data are internationally comparable. Data are available at national and regional (NUTS 2, NUTS 3) levels.
See the table 15.2 in the annex POPSTAT_UNIESMS_A.
