As 'Russkaya Germaniya' writes, Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė was awarded one of the most prestigious European awards – the Charlemagne Prize. The nomination noted that 'in the difficult period of the economic crisis, with its disciplined approach, foresight and willingness to make sacrifices, the Baltic state and its leadership serve as an example for the other members of the European Community.'
As it turned out, the main reason for the exemplary economic development in Lithuania was a record level of emigration, thanks to which a number of macroeconomic indicators improved significantly.
Until the end of last year, Lithuania's population was calculated based on the 2001 census, according to which the country had 3.46 million inhabitants. Of course, emigration, which increased after the country joined the European Union in 2004, was also taken into account. However, only during the 2011 census were its true scale established. It turned out that over 10 years Lithuania lost almost half a million people, and the country's population was 3.05 million. By the beginning of December 2012, according to estimates by the Lithuanian Statistical Agency, only 2.9 million people lived in the country.
The use of new statistical data, in particular, led to a record annual 'growth' in Lithuanian GDP per capita, which 'increased' from 57% to 66% of the EU average. For example, in more prosperous Poland, this figure was 64%, in neighboring Latvia – 58%, and in the poorest EU country, Bulgaria – 46%. Purchasing power parity 'grew' even more – from 61% to 70% of the EU average. In Poland it was 69%, in Latvia – 57%, and in Bulgaria – 45%. In Germany, both indicators are 121% and 120% respectively.
'So it turns out that to raise the standard of living, you need to drive as many people out of the country as possible, especially children and pensioners,' writes blogger Vinys, noting that in recent years more and more people of retirement age are leaving the country in search of work abroad. 'Grybauskaitė could have received the Charlemagne Prize with a different citation – "for successfully creating conditions for mass emigration." Another million emigrate, and lo and behold, Lithuania will become the best country in the European Union in terms of standard of living.'