About 40 percent of Lithuanians living abroad expressed interest in the possibility of returning to Lithuania, a survey conducted by the country's Foreign Ministry showed on Wednesday.

According to the survey, 40 percent of respondents stated they were interested in returning, 17 percent said they were not interested, while 43 percent said it was not relevant to their situation.

Economic factors, such as job, salary or financial well-being were the most important considerations for them when considering a return to Lithuania, the survey said.

Regardless of their interest in returning to Lithuania or staying abroad, the majority of Lithuanians maintain active relations with their homeland. According to the research, 93 percent of respondents stated they were interested in news and events from Lithuania, 77 percent said they participated in Lithuania's public life by maintaining relations, and 56 percent vote in Lithuanian elections.

The majority of respondents were living in Britain, the United States, Ireland, Norway, Germany or Sweden.

The survey was carried out in September and October 2015.

According to the European Migration Network, Lithuania has one of the highest emigration rates in the European Union.

Last year, the number of emigrants increased by 9.9 percent, or 46,500 people, compared to 2014, data from Statistics Lithuania showed. The number of emigrants per thousand residents increased from 12.5 to 16.

At the same time, the number of immigrants to Lithuania decreased by 2.9 percent, to 23,600.

The trends led to a decrease in the population of the country by 1.1 percent.