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2020 OECD Economic Surveys: Lithuania 2020

image of OECD Economic Surveys: Lithuania 2020

Lithuania’s economy is performing strongly and converging fast towards the most-developed OECD countries, driven by growing exports and investments and supported by a sound macroeconomic framework as well as a friendly business climate. For the first time since renewed independence, more people are settling in the country than leaving it. The peak of the COVID-19 crisis was one of the mildest in Europe, thanks to a well-functioning health system, effective containment measures and a relatively short lockdown. Yet prosperity is unevenly distributed across people and places. Further reform could help sustain achievements to date. Providing adequate income support for the needy, especially the elderly, and high quality social services, while improving integration into the labour market, could help reduce poverty. Stronger local and regional institutions, better education and skills particularly in rural areas and a more flexible housing market could make regional development more balanced. Finally, strengthening the regulatory framework, reducing the scope of state-owned enterprises and moving towards a low-carbon economy will help raise productivity while ensuring resilient and sustainable growth.

SPECIAL FEATURES: REDUCING POVERTY; FOSTERING REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

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Fostering regional development

Regional differences in GDP per capita, productivity, employment and poverty in Lithuania are among the largest in the OECD, and they have increased over the last decade. The country still recovers from the legacy of the Soviet planning system which aimed at balanced geographical distribution of industrial activity and left many unviable firms and jobs across the country. Unemployment is high in many regions, while mobility of excess labour towards economically stronger areas remains insufficient. Some regions feature “surplus infrastructure”, while others lack investment. This chapter looks at potential reasons for persisting disparities and assesses recent policy initiatives to reduce imbalances. The digital infrastructure is weak in rural regions and should be strengthened to allow access to high-quality jobs in all parts of the country, including through teleworking. Housing supply in economically strong areas should be increased, while urban sprawl should be avoided. Stark gaps in education outcomes between rural and urban areas should be addressed, mainly by reorganising the municipal school network and by fostering firm-based learning (apprenticeships). Finally, municipal governments should be given more power, while the planned functional regions should help foster inter-municipal coordination.

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