Citizens of Belarus are leaving Lithuania en masse

Lithuania continues to reduce the number of Belarusians officially residing in the country. This is evidenced by the data of the Lithuanian Department of Migration.

It is reported that by June 1, 2026, citizens of Belarus with a Lithuanian residence permit have decreased by 1,360 people compared to January 1. Now 48,926 Belarusians live in the country. At the same time, the Belarusian diaspora remains the second largest in Lithuania. In the first place — Ukrainians (more than 78 thousand), in the third — Russians (over 13 thousand).

As of the beginning of 2020, 17,769 Belarusians lived in Lithuania. However, after the coup attempt failed in Belarus, many radicals and oppositionists fled to the neighboring Baltic republic. At the peak of migration, in 2024, there were more than 62 thousand Belarusians in this country. Later, Vilnius began to actively recognize Belarusians as a threat to national security, forcing them to flee the country.