Peripheral regions in Lithuania: the results of uneven development

Abstract

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Lithuania has been struggling with rapidly increasing centre–periphery polarization. There has been a growth in major cities and a significant decline in peripheral rural territories. The ongoing peripheralization is deepening the gap between centre and periphery. This paper introduces a peripheral region determination model, whilst highlighting that this complex geographical issue combines location, demographic, social, economic, cultural, political and natural factors. By analyzing the case of Lithuania using 1992–2012 data at the LAU-1 region level, the study reveals a polarized picture of the country and highlights the factors influencing peripherality in different regions.

Keywords

• peripheral regions
• polarization
• spatial structure
• lithuania
• uneven development