Updated
Overview
Belarus has 3.1 times the population of Lithuania: 9.09 million people against 2.89 million (2025).
Their economies are close in size: $93.40B for Belarus and $95.21B for Lithuania.
Per person, Lithuania is the wealthier of the two: $32,959 against $10,279 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Belarus | Lithuania | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $93.40B | Higher: $95.21B | 2025 | $75.96B / $84.87B |
| GDP per capita | $10,279 | Higher: $32,959 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.3% | Higher: 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 6.6% | Lower: 3.8% | 2025 | 5.8% / 0.7% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.4% | 6.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 30 | 58 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $2,634 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $193 | Higher: $1,173 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 9.09 million | 2.89 million | 2025 | 9.46 million / 2.82 million |
| Population growth | -0.5% | 0.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 41.3 yrs | 42.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.22 | 1.22 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.4 yrs | Higher: 77.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 69% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 94% | 89% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 207,600 km² | 65,300 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 43.8/km² | 44.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 56 Mt | Lower: 13 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.2 t | Lower: 4.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $1.49B | $2.63B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.1% | 3.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 158,000 | 37,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Lithuania is growing faster: 2.9% annual GDP growth versus 1.3%.
Belarus runs the hotter price environment: 6.6% inflation versus 3.8%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Belarus: a price level of 30 versus 58 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 41.3 (Belarus) and 42.3 (Lithuania).
Life expectancy is 2.8 years longer in Lithuania (77.2 vs 74.4).
Belarus is considerably more urbanized: 79% of people live in cities, against 69%.
Geography
By land area, Belarus is 3.2 times the size of Lithuania: 207,600 km² versus 65,300 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Lithuania spends about 75% more on defence than Belarus: $2.63B versus $1.49B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Lithuania carries the heavier military burden: 3.1% of GDP versus 2.1%.
Belarus fields the larger armed forces: 158,000 personnel against 37,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Belarus bigger than Lithuania?
- Belarus is larger by land area. Belarus covers 207,600 km² while Lithuania covers 65,300 km², so Belarus is 3.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Belarus or Lithuania?
- Belarus has the larger population: 9.09 million versus 2.89 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Belarus richer than Lithuania?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Lithuania is richer: $32,959 against $10,279. Total GDP tells the same story: $93.40B for Belarus versus $95.21B for Lithuania.
- Who spends more on their military, Belarus or Lithuania?
- Lithuania spends more: $2.63B versus $1.49B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).