CHANGES IN AGRICULTURAL LAND USE IN LITHUANIAN COUNTIES

Abstract

The aim of this article is to assess changes in agricultural land use and the structure of farmers’ farms in the counties of Lithuania during the period 2012–2025, and to highlight regional differences. The study is based on data covering the composition of the land fund (agricultural land, forests, water bodies, other land, urbanized areas, and roads) as well as the distribution of farmers’ farms across the counties. The results of the study showed that the area of agricultural land decreased in all counties; however, the intensity of these changes varied. At the same time, in many regions the areas of forests and built-up territories increased, reflecting the processes of urbanization and changes in land use. The analysis of the structure of farmers’ farms revealed that small farms dominate in Lithuania, especially those of 1–5 hectares, while large farms make up only a small share and are more common in the northern regions. The results of the study suggest that changes in land use are influenced by urbanization and regional differences, while the size structure of Lithuanian farms remains uneven.