Subtitle:

Europa XXI 51 (2026)

Publisher:

IGiPZ PAN

Place of publishing:

Warszawa

Description:

29 cm

Abstract:

Lithuania’s medium-sized cities, historically shaped by deindustrialization and population decline, have experienced a new demographic shift since 2020. Events such as Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine have reversed long-term shrinkage, with immigration driving growth and reshaping urban dynamics. The purpose of this study is to examine transformations in Lithuania’s medium-sized cities since 1990, with a focus on population dynamics, emphasizing the turbulent period after 2020 marked by intensified immigration. This study examines 11 regional centres, combining demographic analysis with an assessment of refugee settlement and integration. Results indicate that Lithuania’s urban population increased by 3.5% between early 2022 and 2025, with immigrants addressing labour shortages, particularly in services, and in some cases contributing high-skilled expertise. At the same time, challenges have emerged, including housing pressures, rising rents, and linguistic barriers. The article also reviews key support initiatives for Ukrainian war refugees. Findings suggest that contemporary regional centres embody both the vulnerabilities of long-term decline and the regenerative potential of migration, illustrating how medium-sized cities can leverage incoming skills to strengthen local economies and communities.

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Relation:

Europa XXI

Volume:

51

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Article

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application/octet-stream

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oai:rcin.org.pl:263413 ; 1429-7132 (print) ; 2300-8547 (online) ; 10.7163/Eu21.2026.51.1

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