There have been more Lithuanians returning home than emigrating for the past four years. What’s behind these trends?
Fifteen years after moving to Ireland, Aistis Šlajus and his family decided to return to Lithuania. According to him, this decision was motivated by emotional reasons – the desire for their children to grow up Lithuanian.
"Our kids were born in Ireland. When they grow up in emigration, you realise that you are raising a child with an international attitude. If you want to instil more Lithuanian values and have a connection with your family, you should return to Lithuania," Šlajus told LRT RADIO.
"Our family's choice was that we wanted to have a connection with our parents and for our parents to have a connection with our grandchildren," he added.
Although the family has since settled down, Šlajus said the first year was difficult.
"Of course, the pandemic had a little bit to do with that. In 15 years, you still change, even if you don't realise it, because you live for a long time in a different environment and culture," said Šlajus.
According to Dalia Henke, the chairwoman of the Lithuanian World Community (PLB), longing for home is one of the main reasons for returning. However, living conditions – like finding good jobs and schools – are also important.
"The most important thing is to have a job, for children to go to a school without bullying, because they might be studying Lithuanian at a distance or in Lithuanian language schools, of which there are about 250 worldwide. These are the kind of places that might one day encourage parents or single children to return to Lithuania," she said.
Lithuanian institutions are also implementing various programmes to help attract emigres, according to Henke.
"Probably the World Lithuanian Community and other organisations should think about how to reach the 90 percent of Lithuanians abroad who don't participate in elections or take their children to Lithuanian language schools," said Henket. "People are returning even without being part of the government programmes, but this is an even greater potential for state institutions to intensify the return of Lithuanians."
According to Deputy Foreign Minister Egidijus Meilūnas, the country is trying to increase the number of those returning.
"Between 2020 and last year, more than 80,000 compatriots have returned. According to official statistics, more than 470,000 Lithuanians currently live abroad. Our ambition is to see as many of them as possible return," said Meilūnas.
In 2020, the ministry became responsible for coordinating the return promotion process, which involves over 100 participants throughout Lithuania.
"We are currently working on the project Griztu.lt. There is also a counselling centre for those who have already planned or are planning to return," he said.
However, according to the current trends, it is the family and relatives that are most influential in encouraging returns.
"In December last year, we surveyed more than 2,000 diaspora representatives about the reasons for returning to Lithuania. The survey confirms that 68 percent return because of their family and relatives in Lithuania. Almost a third say that they do not feel as good anywhere as in Lithuania, a fifth say they want to work and create for Lithuania, and another fifth say they see positive changes in Lithuania," said Meilūnas.
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