As Lithuania celebrates the 35th anniversary of its restored independence this March 11, the nation has many achievements to celebrate. A proud member of NATO and the EU, a leader in high-tech sectors like life sciences and fintech, and, since last year, home to the happiest young people in the world according to the UN World Happiness Report.
What makes young Lithuanians so content with their lives? The answer lies in a unique blend of opportunity, creative freedom, and a forward-looking society that continues to reap the benefits of independence while embracing innovation and global connections.
The Academic View: Freedom as the Foundation of Happiness
Dr. Aistė Noreikaitė, an assistant professor at Vilnius University’s Faculty of Philosophy, brings a philosophical perspective to Lithuania’s happiness phenomenon. Her research focuses on moral philosophy, philosophical anthropology, and the concept of personhood.
“For young academics, I believe conditions in Lithuania are favorable, especially if you have a topic that truly interests you and the determination to find ways to develop this topic,” Noreikaitė explains. “From an intellectual standpoint, all paths in Lithuania are open. Our country is small, we don’t have many academics, so in many fields, you can be the first to take up one topic or another.”
For Noreikaitė, the concepts of freedom, independence, and happiness are deeply interconnected in the Lithuanian context. “Independence and freedom are certain necessary conditions for our happiness. Not necessarily sufficient conditions – freedom alone may not be enough for us to be happy, but necessary conditions – without freedom and independence, I cannot imagine happiness.”
As a member of the independence generation, Noreikaitė reflects on how freedom has become an inherent part of life. “Freedom is in our blood; we grew up in it, and it’s very difficult for me to even imagine adapting to a different, unfree world.” Yet this familiarity has both positive and negative aspects: “Everything that’s taken for granted, while you have it, is sometimes no longer valued because it seems immovable. However, as we’re beginning to see well in recent years’ context – it absolutely can be moved.”
She is hopeful that the deep integration of freedom into Lithuanian identity will provide the necessary impulse when needed. “When someone tries to take away what constitutes your essence, you resist with everything you have, because it seems like they’re trying to take away your self.”
A Global Perspective: Lithuania Through Foreign Eyes
Giovanni Proietta, an Italian entrepreneur who has made Lithuania his home, describes the country as “a great place for a new start in Europe.” Having spent years bringing Lithuanian startups to the world, in 2025 together with another Italian expat he created ViešiejiPirkimai.AI, a platform for easy access to Lithuanian public procurement information.
“In Lithuania, everybody is busy creating, and everyone from entry-level specialists to the top leaders of the ecosystem is ready to meet for coffee and build connections,” Proietta notes. “The environment generally favors entrepreneurship, and the cost of starting a venture, compared to other European capitals, is still very competitive.”
What strikes Proietta most about young Lithuanians is their drive. “Speed is key. And the hunger, grit, resilience young Lithuanians bring to the table makes all the difference. It’s contagious!” he observes. He sees this dynamic reflected in the job market, where young people often combine studies with professional experience.
“Young people generally have their start in the job market while still studying,” Proietta notes. “Both companies and young employees craft their work experience with the aim of nurturing talent and thinking long-term. It is not rare to meet professionals who are quite senior and not yet out of their bachelor studies. I think that’s great – it means that the system prizes grit and willingness to grow over age and qualifications.”
Andrea Coifman, who moved to Lithuania from Denmark to work as a Senior Data Scientist, found professional opportunities almost immediately. “Two weeks – that’s how long it took for me to find a job in Vilnius,” she says. Originally from Venezuela, Coifman now works at Devoteam and serves as a mentor at Women Go Tech, a Lithuanian program helping women start and accelerate careers in technology.
“Lithuania has been a great place to live – there’s a strong sense of community, and the work-life balance is much better than in many other countries,” Coifman shares. “When it comes to bringing ideas to life, I’ve found there’s a lot of openness to innovation, especially in tech and AI. The AI startup ecosystem here is growing, and there are good opportunities for collaboration.”
She sees Lithuania’s youth as “ambitious, globally minded, and eager to create meaningful change.” Compared to her home country, she notes “a stronger push toward entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly in the tech sector. At the same time, there’s a nice balance with enjoying life, which is refreshing!”
Looking Forward
As Lithuania marks 35 years of restored independence, the happiness of its youth suggests a promising future. The country has transformed into a vibrant, innovative European nation where young people see opportunity and possibility.
In the second part of this series, we explore Lithuania’s thriving creative and entrepreneurial scenes through the eyes of young Lithuanians making their mark in music and business.
