Lithuania - 85.14
27
Under the inescapable glare of Russia
The biggest event to hit Lithuania in 2021 was the Belarusian migrant crisis. Belarus, acting on behalf of Russia, ran propaganda campaigns in Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Afghanistan and several other countries promising that prospective migrants could gain access to the EU via Belarus. Migrants massed along the LT-BY border and were ushered across it, often in organized waves aided by the Belarusian military. Lithuanian migrant detention facilities were swamped and the government responded by erecting a border wall along the Belarusian border. Lithuania continued to suffer from high corruption, notably in the healthcare system where bribes are regularly paid to skip long lines for elective procedures. Homosexuality is pervasive in Lithuanian society, as same-sex marriage is constitutionally banned.
Human Rights - 86
Lithuania has fully abolished the death penalty. Saudi Arabian national Mustafa al-Hawsawi was allegedly held in a CIA blacksite in Lithuania. al-Hawsawi was allegedly abducted, beaten, and tortured by the CIA while in custody in Lithuania before being transferred to Guantanamo Bay. al-Hawsawi claimed that while no Lithuanian officials were directly involved, they were aware both of his location and treatment and were complicit. Trans Lithuanians can change their legal gender after sex reassignment surgery but cannot survey openly. Same-sex marriage is constitutionally banned. Any single person can adopt but there is no joint adoption by same-sex couples.
Democracy - 95
The president is directly elected and the prime minister is appointed by the president and approved by the Seimas. The prime minister holds most executive power and the president’s powers primarily pertain to foreign policy. The Seimas is directly elected. Elections are free and fair but in 2021 the incumbent Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LVŽS) government distributed cash benefits to pensioners shortly before voting. It ultimately did not help them win, as the LVŽS was voted out. Lithuania has a strong multi-party system.
Freedom - 86
Lithuania has vaguely worded and seldom enforced laws banning the dissemination of information that “abases family values.” These laws have led to some self-censorship of media coverage of LGBT issues. Media ownership in Lithuania is highly concentrated, with a small group of large companies exerting significant sway over most broadcast journalism in the country. The Radio and Television Commission banned five TV channels owned by the Russian government under the Russia Today (RT) umbrella. The move was criticized by Reporters without Borders. The government grants preferential treatment to “traditional religious communities,” especially the Roman Catholic church. All drugs are illegal in Lithuania. Lithuania shall issue gun ownership licenses for semi-automatic rifles and handguns.
Economy - 93
Health - 84
Lithuania has a life expectancy of 76 years and an infant mortality rate of 0.3%. 26.3% of Lithuanians are obese and 0.1% are malnourished. Lithuania’s universal healthcare system offers free care to all citizens, permanent residents, and expats. Lithuania’s healthcare system suffers from corruption as bribes are often paid to skip lines for elective procedures. 98.7% of Lithuanians have access to clean, running water. 27.1% of adult Lithuanians smoke regularly.
Corruption - 57
The Lithuanian healthcare system is prone to corruption as bribes are often paid to skip lines for elective procedures. Judicial verdicts are sometimes bought and sold. Police sometimes extort bribes, though this practice is not common. Public services often must be bribed into action. The Lithuanian tax administration is generally regarded as corrupt. Public contracts are difficult to obtain without bribery.
Competency - 77
Lithuania has struggled to control and provide for the flow of migrants from Belarus. Belarus escorted thousands of migrants from the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia to the Lithuanian border and ushered them through, often with help from the Belarusian military. Lithuania has failed to stop the flow of migrants and has failed to provide for the ones that arrived in the country, as Lithuania’s migrant detention centers were swamped throughout the year. The government is also failing to protect journalists from corporate interests.
Future - 95
Lithuania has one of the fastest growing economies in developed Europe and its economy only suffered a minor hit due to the COVID recession, meaning that it is likely to rebound quickly. Lithuania has made ane excellent recovery from the Soviet era and this trajectory looks to continue.
Actions Abroad - 70
Lithuania is a member of the EU and NATO. Lithuania maintains especially close relations with Mexico as they never recognized the Soviet annexation of Lithuania. Lithuania has allegedly played host to a secret CIA blacksite, where Saudi national Mustafa al-Hawsawi was allegedly held and tortured between 2005-06. Lithuania has granted asylum to political dissidents from Russia and Belarus.
0.9% of Lithuanians live under the international poverty line and 20.6% live below the national poverty line. 8.43% of Lithuanians are unemployed. The country has a low economic disparity. Lithuania has a very strong universal healthcare system that provides free care to all Lithuanian citizens, as well as permanent residents and expats. The Lithuanian healthcare system is prone to corruption, as bribes are commonly paid to skip long lines for elective procedures. Lithuania’s economy shrunk 0.9% in 2020 and grew 4.3% in 2019.