In Lithuania, the number of residents from Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine has been dropping. The Lithuanian Ministry of the Interior reported a notable reduction in the foreign population, particularly among these three groups, attributed to tougher migration policies.
The data reveals that Russian citizens in Lithuania have decreased from 15,888 to 15,105, while the number of Belarusians has fallen from 62,167 to 59,399, and Ukrainians have dropped from 86,353 to 68,166.
Meanwhile, citizens from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan continue to arrive in Lithuania in large numbers, although the issuance of work permits for them has declined. The ministry noted that 1,750 work permit applications were approved in January, a significant drop from 904 in October.
Amid intensified oversight by the Migration Department concerning temporary residence permits, this year saw 13,601 more cases of annulments or denials compared to the previous year.
As of December 1, Lithuania is home to 213,338 foreign residents holding a residence permit, with the majority—111,725—having received these permits due to employment.
