Employee turnover in Lithuania in 2025: an overview of the largest employers and sectors

7 hours ago

Would you apply to a company where almost the entire workforce changes within a year?

Before applying for a new job, many people first look at the salary. Then they consider the work schedule, additional benefits, and some read employee reviews online. But are reviews alone enough? When evaluating a company, it is worth looking at more objective indicators as well. One of them is employee turnover. Although this indicator does not answer every question, it can help to better understand what is happening inside an organization. Are employees likely to stay for a longer period? Is the company constantly looking for new people? Or have there been significant changes in the organization over the past year?

In this article, we analyzed nine sectors in Lithuania – from manufacturing, logistics, retail and restaurant chains to banks, pharmacies, public institutions and major hospitals. In each sector, we present the five largest employers by average number of employees and their employee turnover rates in 2025. The data used in this article was obtained from the SODRA database and additionally processed by calculating the employee turnover rate using the following formula: number of employees who left ÷ average number of employees × 100.

Manufacturing sector

The manufacturing sector in Lithuania offers jobs for production operators, equipment maintenance specialists, technologists, quality control specialists, warehouse workers, engineers and foremen. It is one of the country’s key sectors, employing thousands of people.

Largest manufacturing companies by number of employees

1. Intersurgical

Average number of employees: 2,405 Employee turnover: 17.2%

2. PKC Group Lithuania

Average number of employees: 1,657 Employee turnover: 33.6%

3. Narbutas International

Average number of employees: 1,605 Employee turnover: 26.8%

4. Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics

Average number of employees: 1,492 Employee turnover: 14.5%

5. Biovela-Utenos mėsa

Average number of employees: 1,385 Employee turnover: 21.8%

What stood out most in the manufacturing sector? The highest employee turnover in this sector was recorded at PKC Group Lithuania – 33.6%, while the lowest was at Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics – 14.5%.

Interestingly, both companies operate in the same manufacturing sector and have a similar number of employees, yet their employee turnover rates differ by more than two times. This clearly shows that even organizations operating in the same sector can face very different situations.

In the manufacturing sector, employee turnover is influenced by shift work, physical workload, labor shortages in the regions and technological changes. In recent years, some manufacturing companies have also been actively investing in automation, which means that employee turnover rates do not always reflect only employee satisfaction.

Logistics sector T

he logistics sector is one of the largest employers in Lithuania. The most common roles here include drivers, freight forwarders, transport managers, warehouse workers, mechanics and administrative specialists.

Largest logistics companies by number of employees

1. Manvesta

Average number of employees: 2,601. Employee turnover: 15.7%

2. Vlantana

Average number of employees: 2,086. Employee turnover: 20.6%

3. Hoptransa

Average number of employees: 1,801. Employee turnover: 21.2%

4. LTG Cargo

Average number of employees: 1,606. Employee turnover: 15.8%

5. Transimeksa

Average number of employees: 1,155. Employee turnover: 16.1%

Is logistics really an unstable sector?

Many people would probably assume that logistics is one of the more unstable sectors in terms of employee turnover. However, the data we analyzed shows a somewhat different picture.

Among the sectors analyzed, logistics had the lowest and most consistent employee turnover. The turnover rates of all five largest companies ranged between 15.7% and 21.2%.

This is a fairly unexpected result, because a significant share of jobs in the logistics sector are warehouse roles, which often require physical endurance. The sector also employs many drivers, and the shortage of drivers has remained one of the biggest challenges for logistics companies for several years.

Large supermarket chains

Retail chains are among the largest employers in Lithuania. They are constantly looking for cashiers, order pickers, sales floor employees, warehouse workers, shift managers and administrative specialists.

Largest retail chains by number of employees

1. Maxima

Average number of employees: 11,462. Employee turnover: 15.2%

2. IKI

Average number of employees: 5,529. Employee turnover: 16.4%

3. Norfa

Average number of employees: 3,571. Employee turnover: 17.1%

4. Rimi

Average number of employees: 3,107. Employee turnover: 25.1%

5. Lidl

Average number of employees: 2,827. Employee turnover: 42.4%

Is Lidl’s employee turnover really that high?

At first glance, it may seem that Lidl faces the highest level of employee movement, since its employee turnover is almost three times higher than Maxima’s. But when we look deeper, the picture changes.

With an employee turnover rate of 15.2% and more than 11,000 employees, Maxima may have around 1,740 employee movement cases per year. Meanwhile, Lidl, despite its much higher turnover rate of 42.4%, would have around 1,200 such cases. This is one of the best examples of why turnover percentages should not be trusted blindly.

In the retail sector, employee turnover is most often influenced by shift work, weekend work, competition for employees and the constant need for new staff.

Pharmacy sector

The pharmacy sector in Lithuania combines both retail and healthcare service specifics. The most common roles include pharmacists, pharmacist assistants, pharmacy specialists, customer service employees, logistics and administrative specialists.

Largest pharmacy chains by number of employees

1. EUROVAISTINĖ, UAB

Average number of employees: 1,587. Employee turnover: 13.4%

2. Nemuno vaistinė | Camelia, UAB

Average number of employees: 1,392. Employee turnover: 9.2%

3. Gintarinė vaistinė, UAB

Average number of employees: 983. Employee turnover: 33.2%

4. Norfos Vaistinė, UAB

Average number of employees: 546. Employee turnover: 57.0%

5. BENU Vaistinė Lietuva, UAB

Average number of employees: 390. Employee turnover: 18.4%

Why does employee turnover differ so much in the pharmacy sector?

In the pharmacy sector, employee turnover differs significantly among the largest chains. The lowest employee turnover was recorded at Nemuno vaistinė | Camelia – 9.2%, while the highest was at Norfos Vaistinė – 57.0%. Such a difference shows that even employers operating in the same sector can be in very different situations.

Employee turnover in pharmacies may be influenced by pharmacy locations, work schedules, employee distribution between cities, internal organizational changes and competition for pharmacy specialists. Since some positions require specific education and professional qualifications, a shortage of qualified employees can also affect movement between employers.

Building materials retail sector

Building materials retailers most often employ sales consultants, warehouse workers, forklift drivers, sales floor employees and logistics specialists.

Largest companies in the sector by number of employees

1. Senukai

Average number of employees: 2,865. Employee turnover: 33.4%

2. DEPO

Average number of employees: 1,131. Employee turnover: 33.7%

3. Makveža

Average number of employees: 708. Employee turnover: 41.7%

4. Ermitažas

Average number of employees: 666. Employee turnover: 29.4%

5. Lemora

Average number of employees: 230. Employee turnover: 12.7%

Why is employee turnover higher in building materials retail than in supermarket chains?

Although both Senukai and DEPO belong to the retail sector, their employee turnover rates appear to be more than twice as high as those of Maxima or IKI. However, it is important to consider that employee numbers here are several times smaller. This is exactly why, when evaluating employee turnover, it is important to compare not only percentages but also the number of employees.

High turnover may be related to a greater amount of physical work, warehouse work, seasonality and the need to understand technical products. In other words, not all retail is the same.

Banking sector

The banking sector in Lithuania offers jobs for customer service specialists, financial consultants, analysts, risk management, IT, data, compliance and administrative specialists. This is a sector where specific knowledge, responsibility and a longer onboarding period are often required.

Largest banks by number of employees

1. “Swedbank”, AB

Average number of employees: 1,614. Employee turnover: 9.9% \

2. SEB bankas, AB

Average number of employees: 1,490. Employee turnover: 13.9%

3. Artea bankas | Šiaulių bankas, AB

Average number of employees: 1,129. Employee turnover: 11.9%

4. Luminor Bank AS Lithuanian Branch

Average number of employees: 1,022. Employee turnover: 21.2%

5. Urbo bankas, UAB

Average number of employees: 282. Employee turnover: 12.1%

Are banks one of the most stable sectors?

The banking sector stands out with some of the lowest employee turnover rates among the sectors analyzed. The lowest employee turnover was recorded at “Swedbank”, AB – 9.9%, while the highest was at Luminor Bank AS Lithuanian Branch – 21.2%.

These results are not surprising. In banks, many positions require specific knowledge, responsibility and a longer onboarding period, so replacing an employee often costs more than in simpler or less qualified roles. As a result, companies have more reasons to invest in employee retention, career opportunities and internal growth.

Restaurant chains

The restaurant sector often becomes the first workplace for young people. The most common roles include cooks, waiters, customer service specialists, kitchen staff and shift managers.

Largest restaurant chains by number of employees

1. Premier Restaurants (McDonald’s)

Average number of employees: 1,196. Employee turnover: 51.4%

2. Litpark (Hesburger)

Average number of employees: 959 Employee turnover: 33.3%

3. Amber Food (Charlie Pizza | Katpėdėlė | La Crepe | Manami)

Average number of employees: 915. Employee turnover: 72.7%

4. Delano (Delano | Can Can Pizza | Caif Cafe)

Average number of employees: 588. Employee turnover: 94.2%

5. Čili pica

Average number of employees: 501. Employee turnover: 66.0%

Is almost 100% employee turnover normal?

The highest employee turnover in the entire analysis was recorded at Delano – 94.2%. In other words, employee movement within a year almost equaled the company’s entire workforce.

However, employee turnover in the restaurant sector should be evaluated differently than in logistics or manufacturing. This sector more often employs students, seasonal workers and people looking for their first work experience, so higher turnover is normal.

It is also interesting that even within the same sector the differences are huge. Hesburger’s employee turnover was 33.3% – almost three times lower than Delano’s.

Public institutions

Public institutions are often associated with stability, clear procedures and social guarantees. They employ specialists in taxation, employment, migration, food safety, data analysis, administration, customer service, law and control functions.

Largest public institutions by number of employees

1. State Tax Inspectorate | VMI

Average number of employees: 1,351. Employee turnover: 6.5%

2. Employment Service

Average number of employees: 1,215. Employee turnover: 8.6%

3. State Food and Veterinary Service

Average number of employees: 911. Employee turnover: 33.3%

4. State Data Agency

Average number of employees: 600. Employee turnover: 17.5%

5. Migration Department Average number of employees: 580 Employee turnover: 7.8%

Is employee turnover always low in public institutions? The data on public institutions shows that employee turnover in the public sector is often lower than in many private sector areas. This may be related to more stable functions, clearer procedures and longer employee tenure.

However, the State Food and Veterinary Service stands out – its employee turnover reached 33.3%. This shows that even within the public sector, situations can vary significantly, so a percentage alone is not enough. When evaluating such data, it is important to consider the institution’s functions, the specifics of regional units, possible structural changes and the nature of the work.

Healthcare sector

Major hospitals are among the largest employers in Lithuania. They employ doctors, nurses, residents, laboratory specialists, administrative staff, support staff and many other healthcare and service-related specialists.

Largest hospitals by number of employees

1. Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kauno klinikos

Average number of employees: 7,944. Employee turnover: 7.5%

2. Vilnius University Hospital Santaros klinikos

Average number of employees: 7,138. Employee turnover: 7.8%

3. Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Hospital

Average number of employees: 3,384. Employee turnover: 48.0%

4. Klaipėda University Hospital, VšĮ

Average number of employees: 3,209. Employee turnover: 19.6%

5. Republican Šiauliai Hospital, VšĮ

Average number of employees: 2,337. Employee turnover: 15.9%

Why does employee turnover differ so much in hospitals? In the major hospital sector, the most noticeable difference is between Kauno klinikos – 7.5% – and the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Hospital – 48.0%. However, it is also important to pay attention to the difference in employee numbers. This shows that even among large healthcare institutions, employee movement can differ several times over.

Still, employee turnover in hospitals should be evaluated with particular caution. These institutions employ people from very different professions – from doctors and nurses to administrative staff, support staff, residents and interns. Therefore, employee turnover may be related not only to working conditions, but also to residency, departmental changes, changes in positions, internal transfers or employee movement between different healthcare institutions.

What should you remember when looking for a job?

Employee turnover can be a useful indicator when evaluating a potential employer, but it is important to understand that the same number can mean completely different things in different companies or sectors. That is why employee turnover should be assessed together with company size, type of activity and other available data. If employee turnover rates raise questions, do not be afraid to ask the employer about them during the job interview. An open discussion about the reasons behind employee turnover can help you better understand the situation in the company and avoid rushed or incorrect conclusions.

Where can you find more employee turnover data?

In this overview, we presented only a small part of Lithuanian employers. More employee turnover rates, employee reviews and job listings can be found on the Lovejob website. It is important to note that this data does not reflect situations where employees were transferred between companies within the same corporate group. In such cases, an employee’s departure from one company and employment in another may be recorded as employee turnover, even though the person did not actually leave the corporate group.