The study analyses the unemployment situation of socially vulnerable groups in the Baltic States in the context of the European Union. The analysis of the unemployment rate is based on gender, age and duration of unemployment. Statistical analysis identified the most vulnerable groups in the labour market and those most sensitive to economics fluctuations. The study also evaluated the relationship of economic growth with employment of these groups. The research highlighted that in the Baltic countries, the global financial crisis more significantly affected vulnerable groups, mainly because of the impact of the crisis in 2009–2010. Hence these results differ from the general trend in unemployment rate of the target groups in the countries of the European Union. Unemployment rate at the EU level did not coincide with similar trends observed in the target groups in the Baltic States. In the Baltic States, the unemployment rate of the target groups started to grow earlier and faster than in the EU countries and it started to decrease much earlier than the EU unemployment rate indicators. In addition, in the Baltic countries, the growth of target group unemployment was significantly higher than the EU average. The fast and volatile growth of unemployment within the mentioned target groups shows that they had difficulties adapting to dramatically worsening conditions in the labour market in the Baltic States. The current pandemic situation in comparison to the global financial crisis of 2009–2010 has a less negative effect. The study revealed that unemployment rates in the Baltic States were close to the EU average. The research results also showed that men and the youth are sensitive to economic fluctuations in the Baltic States. On the one hand, unemployed men and the youth tend to more easily enter the labour market during economic upturns. On the other hand, in an economic downturn, these jobseekers face significant integration difficulties into the labour market and become more socially vulnerable. It is important to note that long-term unemployed people belong to the most vulnerable groups. People with low skills or qualifications face multiple barriers to labour market integration. Long-term unemployment leads to a loss of income, an erosion of skills, a higher incidence of health problems and increased household poverty.

The study aims to evaluate population income differentiation in the regions of Lithuania. The important question is about the development opportunities of the middle class regarding regional differences. The assessment of territorial differentiation of income is based on the indicators of disposable labour income and wages. Formally, the priority must be given to the disposable income indicator, hence the assessment of wage differentiation and comparison of these two indicators using a comparative analysis method enable a better understanding of the social meaning behind the observed differences because business income influences regional disparities of income per capita. The study evaluates changes in the regional differences of wages and general structural disparities of wages in the country with the development possibilities of middle class formation. The research includes a local and geographical variation of disposable labour income and a comparison of relational indicators representing population well-being by regions.

The article investigates various demographic groups and their migration differences, and trends changing in Lithuania. The perspectives of various authors on the ongoing migration in Lithuania are discussed. The research draws attention to the differences in migration trends among men and women. The analysis includes significant components such as emigration and immigration that influence changes in population and demographics. One of the most important priorities of this publication is highlighting of differentiation in migration and its assessment by age groups. As the authors’ conclusions show, attitudes of various age groups towards migration are different and rapidly changing. The research reveals the specific structural changes in emigrants’ and immigrants’ demographic groups. The study shows that socially these groups differ, however, only detailed sociological researches could identify real reasons for such differences. In addition, the article presents the new statistical indicators such as various migration statistical indicators calculated by the authors, which are relevant in demographic analysis. The authors have done the calculations of the average age of emigrants and immigrants, as well as the comparative analysis of these indicators and the assessment by the age of net migration (migration balance).

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