Social demographic trends in Lithuanian municipalities on the border with Poland and Russian Federation

ENThis article analyses socioeconomic and demographic processes taking place in the administrative units of Lithuania located on the state border with the Republic of Poland and the Kaliningrad region of the Russian Federation. The survey area includes nine border municipalities belonging to the three counties. These areas have relatively high levels of unemployment, low wages, while the population is rapidly decreasing. One of the most important reasons for this decline is the intensive emigration of the population from border settlements. In addition, water bodies take a large part of the state border. This complicates cooperation with neighbouring countries. The author argues that the standard of living will improve faster in the border regions provided more investment is attracted. The European Union Structural Funds and cross-border cooperation contribute to the economic and social recovery of border municipalities.