Figure 4: Stateless population in Lithuania (disaggregated by age)102 0-13 14-17 18-34 35 and above The total number of stateless persons in Lithuania has been decreasing steadily since the restoration of independence, but this trend is not due to high naturalization rates of stateless persons or emigration (see figure 5). Staff members at local migration agencies interviewed for this research have suggested that the number is decreasing because of death rates and acquisition of other States’ citizenship.103 In 2011, the net migration trend of stateless persons in Lithuania was inverted for the first time: 12 stateless persons have left the country and 31 moved in. However, in 2012, the net migration ratio was negative again: 16 people moved in and 59 left the country.104 Figure 5: Number of stateless persons (who are naturalized, who left and who entered Lithuania) 20052011105 6000 1000 500 250 0 2005 28 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 N  umber of stateless persons Rate of naturalization in Lithuania Emigration Immigration 2012 102 As of 1 August 2012. Unpublished data provided to the researcher by the Migration Department during the interview with its representatives on 7 August 2012. 103 Interviews with staff members of the migration agencies in Mažeikiai, 22 August 2012; Vilnius, 27 August 2012; Šalčininkai, 4 September, 2012; Švenčionys, 5 September, 2012; Visaginas, 29 August 2012. 104 Lithuania, Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior, Migration Yearbook 2012, Vilnius, 2013, p. 16, 19. 105 Statistics from: Lithuania, Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior, Migration Yearbook 2004, Vilnius, 2005; Migration Yearbook 2005, Vilnius, 2006; Migration Yearbook 2006, Vilnius, 2007; Migration Yearbook 2007, Vilnius, 2008; Migration Yearbook 2008, Vilnius, 2009; Migration Yearbook 2009, Vilnius, 2010; Migration Yearbook 2010, Vilnius, 2011; Migration Yearbook 2011, Vilnius, 2012. M A P P I N G S TAT E L E S S N E S S I N L I T H UA N I A