DISINFO: Young people in the Baltic States must leave because the socio-economic situation is so bad
SUMMARY
Young people want to leave Belarus, but not as much as in the Baltic States. In principle, there is no other option for the youth but to leave, as the socio-economic situation is so bad.
RESPONSE
A recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on economic collapse of the Baltic States. See other examples here. Although Lithuania did encounter large emigration flows, the trend is slowly reversing with increasing number of Lithuanians coming back. A similar trend is observed in Latvia. However, the trend is absolutely the opposite in Estonia, where already for the third year in a row in 2018, immigration exceeds emigration. The economic situation of all three Baltic states is rather positive and demonstrates one of the leading economic growth indicators in the EU. The dynamics within the last years can be seen here. These trends have been supported by the World Economic Forum data.