Lithuania joined the European Union in 2004
Capital city: Vilnius
Population: 3,555,179 (July 2009 est.).
Currency: Litas
Language: Lithuanian
Lithuania's economy grew on average 8% per year for the four years prior to 2008, driven by exports and domestic consumer demand. Unemployment stood at 4.8% in 2008, while wages grew at double digit rates. The current account deficit rose to roughly 15% of GDP in 2007-08. Lithuania has a membership in the World Trade Organization. Despite Lithuania's EU accession, Lithuania's trade with its Central and Eastern European neighbors, and Russia in particular, accounts for a growing percentage of total trade. Privatization of the large, state-owned utilities is nearly complete. Foreign government and business support have helped in the transition from the old command economy to a market economy.
GDP - composition by sector
agriculture: 4.5%
Industry: 32.2%
Services: 63.3% (2008 est.).
Source: CIA
