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Lithuania is the world’s happiest country for young people. Here’s what it’s like to work for the country’s leading tech unicorn

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If you’re under 30 and are chasing happiness, Lithuania is the place to be. At least that’s what the World Happiness Report suggested earlier this year, ranking the Baltic country top for young people.

It can be difficult to define happiness, but it’s palpable. The CEO of one of Lithuania’s well-known unicorns shed some light on his observations as a company headquartered in the capital city of Vilnius.

Nord Security, best known for its VPN tool, is a tech firm with a workforce of over 1,600 people, comprised of 70% Millennial and about 20% Gen Z staff.

The energy of Nord’s workforce is infectious—something Tomas Okmanas, Nord’s CEO and cofounder, witnesses daily.

“Everyone is, you know, young, happy, hungry, super talented,” he told Fortune in an interview. “People want to be part of the culture.”

Tomas Okmanas

Lithuania didn’t always have a good reputation. Following the split of the Soviet Union, the country had a complicated journey. It’s grappled with an astronomical suicide rate, particularly among the male population, owing to socioeconomic factors.

Still, Lithuania has managed to buck its bleak past to race to the top of the World Happiness rankings this year. Over the years, Lithuania has successfully built a case for why it’s a great place for work-life balance: only 1% of its workforce works long days, per the OECD.

The country has invested in new schemes to attract foreign talent and is developing a sprawling $110 million tech campus. It’s minted some of Europe’s most promising companies besides Nord, such as Vinted, PVcase, and Surfshark. A burgeoning startup scene, the low cost of living, ease of visas, and Lithuania’s EU membership created the perfect opportunity to attract talent following Brexit.

Despite living much of his life in Lithuania, Okmanas admits the top spot came as a surprise.

“While we have grown accustomed to seeing positivity and a good mood in our offices, it’s a great feeling to know that the rest of the young people in Lithuania are happy, too,” he said.

The fast pace and hunger of a start-up setting isn’t lost on Okmanas. While the team at Nord pulls some late nights if there are product launches or other urgent things to address, “Would you see a lot of lights still on in our offices after 6 o’clock? I’m not sure, and even then it would be a high chance that people there are hanging out after work,” he says.

people seen cycling on a road
VILNIUS, LITHUANIA – JULY 09: People enjoy their time in Vilnius, the largest city and capital of Lithuania, also is included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 09, 2023. With city’s abundance of museums, galleries, and theaters, the capital city delights its visitors throughout the year. Many churches, monasteries, and castles with medieval architecture are located in the historical city. (Photo by Aytac Unal/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

One key element the Nord cofounder has worked towards since setting up the company in 2012 is finding talent united by more than just their passion for tech and cybersecurity. Nord’s employees—who Tom characterizes as “geeks”—are chosen with care for those who might also invest in the company’s cultures and friendships.

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