Kaunas metropolitan region is the main industrial, transport, economical and cultural region in the central part of Lithuania. Population – 656 417 (2021 census data).
Population figures of different parts of the Kaunas metropolitan region:
Kaunas city – 304 198 (1 January 2024)
Kaunas urban area – 410 475 (1 January 2024)
Kaunas metropolitan region – 656 417 (2021 census)
There is no official designation of any metropolitan region in Lithuania, so the area of this metro was defined using 1 hour travel time from the center of Kaunas city.
Center of this metropolitan region is the city of Kaunas. Other large cities in the region are Marijampole, Jonava, Kedainiai, Garliava, Prienai, Kaisiadorys, Vilkaviskis, it also includes large swaths of rural area. However, the whole region has a very well connected road network, leading to the city of Kaunas: main east-west (A1) and north-south (Via Baltica) highways of Lithuania, as well as Rail Baltica rail lines (under construction). The region is served by Kaunas International airport, located in the northeastern suburb of Kaunas. Main inland port of Lithuania is also located in Kaunas, on the Nemunas river.
In recent decades, the fastest growing part of the region has been suburbs of Kaunas, while population in rural areas has been shrinking. This trend has put a lot of pressure on the infrastructure of the city of Kaunas and surrounding area. The lack of adequate public transportation system in the city also means that commuting is mostly done by cars.