“We estimate that the introduction of the Euro and the increased prices are connected to the fourth wave of emigration. It is upsetting to observe the scope of emigration in the recent years, which is almost the same as during the third wave of emigration”, says Kumpikaite-Valiuniene. According to research, more than 66% of the 4th wave emigrants identified small salary as the main reason for their decision to leave the country; more than 42% said that prices of products and services in Lithuania were too high. The main attraction in making a decision to emigrate was higher pay in the chosen country (60% of respondents).

Among the social reasons the 4th wave emigrants identified personal and professional development possibilities (38%), more tolerant society (30%) and wish for a change (24%). “The importance of social reasons for emigration is increasing, especially among the young people, who have already been born in independent Lithuania and have different worldview and attitudes”, says Kumpikaite-Valiuniene. Since 2014, more men than women are emigrating (there were no difference between genders in the earlier waves of emigration). According to the research, 46% of all the respondents (all four emigration waves) consider the foreign country their home, and only 17% think about Lithuania as their home. More than 40% of the emigrants, who participated in the survey, are not planning to move back to Lithuania.

http://ktu.edu/en/newitem/research-most-lithuanians-emigrate-economic-reasons