The majority of Lithuanian residents believe that Rail Baltica will stimulate the country’s economic growth, improve military mobility, and contribute to regional security, according to a survey conducted by the research agency Norstat in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.

Lithuanian residents stand out for their favorable view of the Rail Baltica project: it is supported by 79% of respondents, and this number continues to grow every year.

According to Norstat data, Lithuanians associate the project with regional security: 83% of respondents believe that the military mobility aspect of Rail Baltica is important for the security of the Baltic region. 85% think that Rail Baltica will facilitate the movement of NATO allies.

The survey also showed that 95% of Lithuanian residents believe that Rail Baltica will provide more transport connections with other European countries, such as Poland and Germany. Meanwhile, 94% think the project will improve transport links with the Baltic states.

“Most residents recognize the importance of military mobility. This is encouraging and a reminder that Rail Baltica is not merely an infrastructure project, but a strategically important economic and security link to the West. The stronger our rail transport infrastructure, the more resilient we become,” says Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Roderikas Žiobakas.

According to Norstat, an increasing share of residents emphasize the project’s economic benefits—88% of Lithuanians stated that Rail Baltica will contribute to the country’s economic growth.

“We can see that as the geographical scope of construction expands, regions are beginning to feel the economic benefits. Contractors bring additional business needs, increasing demand for accommodation, catering, transport, repair and other services. A large share of Rail Baltica is financed by the European Union, and these funds flow directly into Lithuania’s economy. More importantly, Rail Baltica is a vital artery for receiving allied forces both in peacetime and in times of crisis,” says Vytis Žalimas, CEO of LTG Infra, the company implementing the project within the LTG Group.

The survey also revealed that progress on Rail Baltica in neighboring countries is of greatest interest to Estonian residents. As many as 80% of Estonians reported being interested in the project’s development abroad. In Latvia, this share reaches 74%, while in Lithuania—46%. Notably, interest in neighboring countries’ progress has grown significantly in Lithuania: in 2024, only 36% of respondents expressed such interest.

The Rail Baltica public opinion survey was conducted in cooperation with the research agency Norstat. The agency surveyed 1,003 respondents in Lithuania, 1,008 in Latvia, and 1,005 in Estonia, aged 18 to 75.

Rail Baltica is a strategic project for both the LTG Group and the European Union and is the largest railway infrastructure project in the history of the Baltic States. Once completed, it will deliver an electrified European standard gauge railway line connecting Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia with Central and Western Europe, strengthening regional integration, civil and military mobility, and the overall resilience of the transport system.