ARCHIVE // EE // 2017

Estonia

2017 Edition — sovereign

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Communications
Broadcast media [time series]
the publicly owned broadcaster, Eesti Rahvusringhaaling (ERR), operates 3 TV channels and 5 radio networks; growing number of private commercial radio stations broadcasting nationally, regionally, and locally; fully transitioned to digital television in 2010; national private TV channels expanding service; a range of channels are aimed at Russian-speaking viewers; in 2016, there were 42 on-demand services available in Estonia, including 19 pay TVOD and SVOD services; roughly 85% of households accessed digital television services (2016)
Internet country code [time series]
.ee
Internet users [time series]
total: 1,097,921 | percent of population: 87.2% (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 122
Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]
general assessment: foreign investment in the form of joint business ventures greatly improved telephone service with a wide range of high-quality voice, data, and Internet services available | domestic: substantial fiber-optic cable systems carry telephone, TV, and radio traffic in the digital mode; Internet services are widely available; schools and libraries are connected to the Internet, a large percentage of the population files income tax returns online, and online voting - in local and parliamentary elections - has climbed steadily since first introduced in 2005; 85% of Estonian households have broadband access | international: country code - 372; fiber-optic cables to Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and Russia provide worldwide packet-switched service; 2 international switches are located in Tallinn (2016)
Telephones - fixed lines [time series]
total subscriptions: 370,589 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 29 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 103
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
total: 1,897,921 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 151 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 150
Economy
Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]
grain, potatoes, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish
Budget [time series]
revenues: $9.414 billion | expenditures: $9.351 billion (2016 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]
0.3% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 39
Central bank discount rate [time series]
0% (31 December 2016 est.) | 0.05% (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 156
Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]
4.23% (31 December 2016 est.) | 4.48% (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 156
Current account balance [time series]
$443 million (2016 est.) | $493.2 million (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 45
Debt - external [time series]
$19.05 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $18.3 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 93
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]
34.8 (2015) | 35.6 (2014) | country comparison to the world: 96
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
Estonia, a member of the EU since 2004 and the euro zone since 2011, has a modern market-based economy and one of the higher per capita income levels in Central Europe and the Baltic region, but its economy is highly dependent on trade, leaving it vulnerable to external shocks. Estonia's successive governments have pursued a free market, pro-business economic agenda, and sound fiscal policies that have resulted in balanced budgets and low public debt. | The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors and strong trade ties with Finland, Sweden, Germany, and Russia. After two years of robust recovery in 2011 and 2012, the Estonian economy faltered in 2013 with only 1.6% GDP growth, mainly due to a continuing recession in much of the EU. GDP growth in 2014 picked up to 2.9% but dropped below 2% in 2015-16 due to lower demand in key Scandinavian and Russian export markets. In 2016, the government implemented modest increases in fiscal spending, which may contribute to GDP growth in 2017. | Estonia is challenged by a shortage of labor, both skilled and unskilled, although the government has amended its immigration law to allow easier hiring of highly qualified foreign workers.
Exchange rates [time series]
euros (EUR) per US dollar - | 0.9214 (2016 est.) | 0.885 (2015 est.) | 0.885 (2014 est.) | 0.7634 (2013 est.) | 0.7752 (2012 est.)
Exports [time series]
$12.36 billion (2016 est.) | $12.04 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 78
Exports - commodities [time series]
machinery and electrical equipment 30%, food products and beverages 9%, mineral fuels 6%, wood and wood products 14%, articles of base metals 7%, furniture and bedding 11%, vehicles and parts 3%, chemicals 4% (2016 est.)
Exports - partners [time series]
Sweden 17.9%, Finland 16%, Latvia 9.2%, Russia 6.5%, Lithuania 6%, Germany 5.9%, Norway 4.1% (2016)
Fiscal year [time series]
calendar year
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$23.33 billion (2016 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]
$38.94 billion (2016 est.) | $37.67 billion (2015 est.) | $36.65 billion (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 116
GDP - composition, by end use [time series]
household consumption: 52.7% | government consumption: 21.3% | investment in fixed capital: 21.9% | investment in inventories: -0.4% | exports of goods and services: 79.6% | imports of goods and services: -75% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]
agriculture: 3.4% | industry: 27.9% | services: 68.7% (2016 est.)
Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]
$29,700 (2016 est.) | $29,100 (2015 est.) | $28,500 (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 64
Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]
2.1% (2016 est.) | 1.7% (2015 est.) | 2.9% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 152
Gross national saving [time series]
24.6% of GDP (2016 est.) | 26% of GDP (2015 est.) | 27.1% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 47
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: 2.3% | highest 10%: 25.6% (2015)
Imports [time series]
$13.31 billion (2016 est.) | $12.99 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 87
Imports - commodities [time series]
machinery and electrical equipment 28%, mineral fuels 11%, food and food products 10%, vehicles 9%, chemical products 8%, metals 8% (2015 est.)
Imports - partners [time series]
Finland 13%, Germany 11%, Lithuania 9%, Sweden 8.3%, Latvia 8.2%, Poland 7.2%, Netherlands 6.3%, Russia 5.7%, China 4.8% (2016)
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
-0.6% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 163
Industries [time series]
food, engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textiles; information technology, telecommunications
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
0.8% (2016 est.) | -0.5% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 51
Labor force [time series]
691,400 (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 153
Labor force - by occupation [time series]
agriculture: 3.1% | industry: 20.2% | services: 76.7% (2016 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]
$6.76 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $6.799 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $7.127 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 80
Population below poverty line [time series]
21.3% (2015 est.)
Public debt [time series]
9.5% of GDP (2016 est.) | 10.1% of GDP (2015 est.) | note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities, including sub-sectors of central government, state government, local government, and social security funds | country comparison to the world: 196
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]
$352.2 million (31 December 2016 est.) | $414.8 million (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 152
Stock of broad money [time series]
$14.66 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $13.83 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 95
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]
$9.396 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $9.164 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 62
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]
$22.19 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $22.02 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 75
Stock of domestic credit [time series]
$20.97 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $19.88 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 87
Stock of narrow money [time series]
$11.8 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $10.96 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | note: see entry for the European Union for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 18 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders | country comparison to the world: 79
Taxes and other revenues [time series]
40.7% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 36
Unemployment rate [time series]
6.8% (2016 est.) | 6.2% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 88
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]
5.8 million Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 123
Crude oil - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 118
Crude oil - imports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 122
Crude oil - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 130
Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]
0 bbl (1 January 2017 es) | country comparison to the world: 130
Electricity - consumption [time series]
8.158 billion kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 102
Electricity - exports [time series]
5.613 billion kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 33
Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]
75.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 95
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]
0.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 154
Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 85
Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]
25.1% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 22
Electricity - imports [time series]
3.573 billion kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 49
Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]
2.864 million kW (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 99
Electricity - production [time series]
9.779 billion kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 101
Electricity access [time series]
electrification - total population: 100% (2016)
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
964 million cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 100
Natural gas - exports [time series]
0 cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 98
Natural gas - imports [time series]
471 million cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 68
Natural gas - production [time series]
0 cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 130
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
0 cu m (1 January 2014 es) | country comparison to the world: 135
Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]
29,140 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 123
Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]
21,250 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 70
Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]
34,410 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 97
Refined petroleum products - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 138
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 45,228 sq km | land: 42,388 sq km | water: 2,840 sq km | note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea | country comparison to the world: 133
Area - comparative [time series]
about twice the size of New Jersey
Climate [time series]
maritime; wet, moderate winters, cool summers
Coastline [time series]
3,794 km
Elevation [time series]
mean elevation: 61 m | elevation extremes: lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m | highest point: Suur Munamagi 318 m
Environment - current issues [time series]
air polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; however, the amounts of pollutants emitted to the air have fallen dramatically and the pollution load of wastewater at purification plants has decreased substantially due to improved technology and environmental monitoring; Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural areas need to be monitored; coastal seawater is polluted in certain locations
International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands | signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geographic coordinates [time series]
59 00 N, 26 00 E
Geography - note [time series]
the mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded; offshore lie more than 1,500 islands
Irrigated land [time series]
40 sq km (2012)
Land boundaries [time series]
total: 657 km | border countries (2): Latvia 333 km, Russia 324 km
Land use [time series]
agricultural land: 22.2% | arable land 14.9%; permanent crops 0.1%; permanent pasture 7.2% | forest: 52.1% | other: 25.7% (2011 est.)
Location [time series]
Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia
Map references [time series]
Europe
Maritime claims [time series]
territorial sea: 12 nm | exclusive economic zone: limits as agreed to by Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Russia
Natural hazards [time series]
sometimes flooding occurs in the spring
Natural resources [time series]
oil shale, peat, rare earth elements, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand, dolomite, arable land, sea mud
Population distribution (Population - distribution) [time series]
a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations
Terrain [time series]
marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south
Government
Administrative divisions [time series]
15 counties (maakonnad, singular - maakond); Harjumaa (Tallinn), Hiiumaa (Kardla), Ida-Virumaa (Johvi), Jarvamaa (Paide), Jogevamaa (Jogeva), Laanemaa (Haapsalu), Laane-Virumaa (Rakvere), Parnumaa (Parnu), Polvamaa (Polva), Raplamaa (Rapla), Saaremaa (Kuressaare), Tartumaa (Tartu), Valgamaa (Valga), Viljandimaa (Viljandi), Vorumaa (Voru) | note: counties have the administrative center name following in parentheses
Capital [time series]
name: Tallinn | geographic coordinates: 59 26 N, 24 43 E | time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) | daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Citizenship [time series]
citizenship by birth: no | citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Estonia | dual citizenship recognized: no | residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Constitution [time series]
history: several previous; latest adopted 28 June 1992 | amendments: proposed by at least one-fifth of Parliament members or by the president of the republic; passage requires three readings of the proposed amendment and a simple majority vote in two successive memberships of Parliament; passage of amendments to the “General Provisions” and “Amendment of the Constitution” chapters requires at least three-fifths majority vote by Parliament to conduct a referendum and majority vote in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2015 (2016)
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: Republic of Estonia | conventional short form: Estonia | local long form: Eesti Vabariik | local short form: Eesti | former: Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic | etymology: the country name may be derived from the Aesti, an ancient people who lived along the eastern Baltic Sea in the first centuries A.D.
Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador James D. MELVILLE Jr. (since 8 December 2015) | embassy: Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn | mailing address: use embassy street address | telephone: [372] 668-8100 | FAX: [372] 668-8265
Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Lauri LEPIK (since 8 September 2017) | chancery: 2131 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 | telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101 | FAX: [1] (202) 588-0108 | consulate(s) general: New York
Executive branch [time series]
chief of state: President Kersti KALJULAID (since 10 October 2016) | head of government: Juri RATAS (since 23 November 2016) | cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament | elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by Parliament for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); if a candidate does not secure two-thirds of the votes after 3 rounds of balloting, then an electoral college consisting of Parliament members and local council members elects the president, choosing between the 2 candidates with the highest number of votes; election last held on 29-30 August 2016, but three rounds were inconclusive; two electoral college votes on 24 September 2016 were also indecisive, so the election passed back to Parliament; on 3 October the Parliament elected Kersti KALJULAID as president; prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament | election results: Kersti KALJULAID elected president; Parliament vote - Kersti KALJULAID (independent) 81 of 98 votes; note - KALJULAID is Estonia's first female president
Flag (Flag description) [time series]
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white; various interpretations are linked to the flag colors; blue represents faith, loyalty, and devotion, while also reminiscent of the sky, sea, and lakes of the country; black symbolizes the soil of the country and the dark past and suffering endured by the Estonian people; white refers to the striving towards enlightenment and virtue, and is the color of birch bark and snow, as well as summer nights illuminated by the midnight sun
Government type [time series]
parliamentary republic
Independence [time series]
20 August 1991 (declared); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)
International law organization participation [time series]
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
International organization participation [time series]
Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Judicial branch [time series]
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of 19 justices including the chief justice and organized into civil, criminal, administrative, and constitutional review chambers) | judge selection and term of office: the chief justice is proposed by the president of the republic and appointed by the Riigikogu; other justices proposed by the chief justice and appointed by the Riigikogu; justices appointed for life | subordinate courts: circuit (appellate) courts; administrative, county, city, and specialized courts
Legal system [time series]
civil law system
Legislative branch [time series]
description: unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) | elections: last held on 1 March 2015 (next to be held in March 2019) | election results: percent of vote by party - RE 27.7%, K 24.8%, SDE 15.2%, IRL 13.7%, EV 8.7%, EKRE 8.1%, other 1.8%; seats by party - RE 30, K 27, SDE 15, IRL 14, EV 8, EKRE 7
National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]
name: "Mu isamaa, mu onn ja room" (My Native Land, My Pride and Joy) | lyrics/music: Johann Voldemar JANNSEN/Fredrik PACIUS | note: adopted 1920, though banned between 1940 and 1990 under Soviet occupation; the anthem, used in Estonia since 1869, shares the same melody as Finland's but has different lyrics
National holiday [time series]
Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note - 24 February 1918 was the date Estonia declared its independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 20 August 1991 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union
National symbol(s) [time series]
barn swallow, cornflower; national colors: blue, black, white
Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]
Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) or K [Juri RATAS] | Estonian Conservative People's Party (Konservatiivne Rahvaerakond) or EKRE [Mart HELME] | Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) or RE [Hanno PEVKUR] | Free Party or EV [Andres HERKEL] | Social Democratic Party or SDE [Jevgeni OSSINOVSKI] | Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica (Isamaa je Res Publica Liit) or IRL [Margus TSAHKNA]
Suffrage [time series]
18 years of age; universal; age 16 for local elections
Introduction
Background [time series]
After centuries of Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US - it regained its freedom in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been free to promote economic and political ties with the West. It joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004, formally joined the OECD in late 2010, and adopted the euro as its official currency on 1 January 2011.
Military and Security
Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]
Estonian Defense Forces (Eesti Kaitsevagi): Ground Forces (Maavagi), Navy (Merevagi), Air Force (Ohuvagi), Reserves (Kaitseliit) (2016)
Military expenditures [time series]
2.17% of GDP (2016) | 2.09% of GDP (2015) | 1.95% of GDP (2014) | 1.91% of GDP (2013) | 1.9% of GDP (2012) | country comparison to the world: 39
Military service age and obligation [time series]
18-27 for compulsory military or governmental service, conscript service requirement 8-11 months depending on education; NCOs, reserve officers, and specialists serve 11 months (2016)
People and Society
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: 16.23% (male 104,130/female 98,941) | 15-24 years: 8.99% (male 58,432/female 54,122) | 25-54 years: 41.37% (male 261,366/female 256,383) | 55-64 years: 13.57% (male 76,591/female 93,194) | 65 years and over: 19.85% (male 84,466/female 163,956) (2017 est.)
Birth rate [time series]
10.1 births/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 193
Death rate [time series]
12.6 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 17
Dependency ratios [time series]
total dependency ratio: 53.7 | youth dependency ratio: 24.8 | elderly dependency ratio: 28.9 | potential support ratio: 3.5 (2015 est.)
Drinking water source [time series]
urban: 100% of population | rural: 99% of population | total: 99.6% of population | urban: 0% of population | rural: 1% of population | total: 0.4% of population (2015 est.)
Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]
4.8% of GDP (2013) | country comparison to the world: 52
Ethnic groups [time series]
Estonian 68.7%, Russian 24.8%, Ukrainian 1.7%, Belarusian 1%, Finn 0.6%, other 1.6%, unspecified 1.6% (2011 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]
NA
Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]
6.4% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 94
Hospital bed density [time series]
5.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Infant mortality rate [time series]
total: 3.8 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 3.7 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 196
Languages [time series]
Estonian (official) 68.5%, Russian 29.6%, Ukrainian 0.6%, other 1.2%, unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.)
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 76.9 years | male: 72.1 years | female: 81.9 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 83
Literacy [time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 99.8% | male: 99.8% | female: 99.8% (2015 est.)
Major infectious diseases [time series]
degree of risk: intermediate | vectorborne disease: tickborne encephalitis (2016)
Major urban areas - population [time series]
TALLINN (capital) 391,000 (2015)
Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]
9 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 151
Median age [time series]
total: 42.7 years | male: 39.4 years | female: 46.1 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 23
Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]
26.6 years (2014 est.)
Nationality [time series]
noun: Estonian(s) | adjective: Estonian
Net migration rate [time series]
-3.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 178
Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]
21.2% (2016) | country comparison to the world: 92
Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]
3.32 physicians/1,000 population (2014)
Population [time series]
1,251,581 (July 2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 158
Population distribution [time series]
a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations
Population growth rate [time series]
-0.57% (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 226
Religions [time series]
Lutheran 9.9%, Orthodox 16.2%, other Christian (including Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal) 2.2%, other 0.9%, none 54.1%, unspecified 16.7% (2011 est.)
Sanitation facility access [time series]
urban: 97.5% of population | rural: 96.6% of population | total: 97.2% of population | urban: 2.5% of population | rural: 3.4% of population | total: 2.8% of population (2015 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]
total: 16 years | male: 16 years | female: 17 years (2015)
Sex ratio [time series]
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 0.81 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.51 male(s)/female | total population: 0.88 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
1.6 children born/woman (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 181
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]
total: 13.1% | male: 13.8% | female: 12.2% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 53
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 67.4% of total population (2017) | rate of urbanization: -0.37% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
Russia and Estonia in May 2005 signed a technical border agreement, but Russia in June 2005 recalled its signature after the Estonian parliament added to its domestic ratification act a historical preamble referencing the Soviet occupation and Estonia's pre-war borders under the 1920 Treaty of Tartu; Russia contends that the preamble allows Estonia to make territorial claims on Russia in the future, while Estonian officials deny that the preamble has any legal impact on the treaty text; Russia demands better treatment of the Russian-speaking population in Estonia; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Estonia implements strict Schengen border rules with Russia
Illicit drugs [time series]
growing producer of synthetic drugs; increasingly important transshipment zone for cannabis, cocaine, opiates, and synthetic drugs since joining the European Union and the Schengen Accord; potential money laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking is a concern, as is possible use of the gambling sector to launder funds; major use of opiates and ecstasy
Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]
stateless persons: 82,585 (2016); note - following independence in 1991, automatic citizenship was restricted to those who were Estonian citizens prior to the 1940 Soviet occupation and their descendants; thousands of ethnic Russians remained stateless when forced to choose between passing Estonian language and citizenship tests or applying for Russian citizenship; one reason for demurring on Estonian citizenship was to retain the right of visa-free travel to Russia; stateless residents can vote in local elections but not general elections; stateless parents who have been lawful residents of Estonia for at least five years can apply for citizenship for their children before they turn 15 years old
Transportation
Airports [time series]
18 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 141
Airports - with paved runways [time series]
total: 13 | over 3,047 m: 2 | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 | 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017)
Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]
total: 5 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 | 914 to 1,523 m: 1 | under 914 m: 3 (2013)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]
ES (2016)
Heliports [time series]
1 (2012)
Merchant marine [time series]
total: 109 | by type: cargo 15, passenger/cargo 18, fishing vessels 41, technical and support vessels 35 (2016) | foreign-owned: 3 (Germany 1, Norway 2) | registered in other countries: 63 (Antigua and Barbuda 10, Belize 1, Cambodia 1, Canada 1, Cook Islands 1, Cyprus 6, Dominica 6, Finland 2, Latvia 3, Malta 16, Russia 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 8, Sierra Leone 2, Sweden 3, Venezuela 1, unknown 1) (2010) | country comparison to the world: 49
National air transport system [time series]
number of registered air carriers: 3 | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 14 | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 512,388 | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 870,362 mt-km (2015)
Pipelines [time series]
gas 2,360 km (2016)
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
major seaport(s): Kuivastu, Kunda, Muuga, Parnu Reid, Sillamae, Tallinn
Railways [time series]
total: 2,146 km | broad gauge: 2,146 km 1.520-m and 1.524-m gauge (132 km electrified) | note: includes 1,510 km public and 636 km non-public railway (2016) | country comparison to the world: 86
Roadways [time series]
total: 58,412 km (includes urban roads) | paved: 10,427 km (includes 115 km of expressways) | unpaved: 47,985 km (2011) | country comparison to the world: 73
Waterways [time series]
335 km (320 km are navigable year-round) (2011) | country comparison to the world: 90