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On 17 March, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a discussion with representatives of Lithuanian colleges and the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport on the opportunities for young people from the diaspora to study in Lithuanian colleges.
"Lithuania is open to all those who want to return and build their future here. We are glad that Lithuanian colleges, which offer quality study programmes in professions in demand on the labour market, are also waiting for those who return. We will work together to ensure that information about college studies is easily accessible to anyone considering higher education," said Deputy Foreign Minister Julius Pranevičius at the meeting.
During the discussion, representatives of the Conference of Directors of Lithuanian colleges informed that it is not only young people who choose to study in Lithuanian colleges, but also older Lithuanians living abroad or who have already returned to Lithuania, who want to improve their qualifications, take up higher positions or create their own businesses. A large number of students choose to study at a distance and return to live in Lithuania after their studies. However, it is acknowledged that the opportunities of studying at colleges are still not well known to the Lithuanian diaspora, and the participants of the meeting supported the idea of organising a joint campaign to publicise studying at colleges, which is likely to attract more compatriots wishing to obtain practical higher education.
According to the State Data Agency, the number of returning Lithuanian citizens has been higher than the number of departing citizens for five years now, and in 2024, according to preliminary data, the number of returning citizens was even double the number of departing citizens. Data from the 2024 diaspora survey commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reveals the potential of returning to Lithuania: as many as 22% of respondents living abroad plan to return to Lithuania, while another 57% are considering it.