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Estonia
2024 Edition — sovereign
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Communications
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
[time series]
total: 415,610 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2020 est.)
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
Internet country code
[time series]
.ee
Internet users
[time series]
total: 1.183 million (2021 est.) percent of population: 91% (2021 est.)
Telecommunication systems
[time series]
general assessment: investment in Estonia s telecom market has been focused on fixed-line infrastructure upgrades, and the deployment of 5G services; fixed broadband subscribers are gradually migrating from digital subscriber lines (DSL) to fiber, with the legacy copper being replaced; the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have comprehensive long-term evolution (LTE) infrastructure in place, and have in recent years channeled investment to 5G; several 5G trials have been undertaken in recent years, though commercial service launches have been restricted by the lack of available internet services (2024) domestic: 20 per 100 for fixed-line subscribership and approximately 155 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2022) international: country code - 372; landing points for the EE-S-1, EESF-3, Baltic Sea Submarine Cable, FEC and EESF-2 fiber-optic submarine cables to other Estonia points, Finland, and Sweden; 2 international switches are located in Tallinn (2019)
Telephones - fixed lines
[time series]
total subscriptions: 266,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
[time series]
total subscriptions: 2.056 million (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 155 (2022 est.)
Economy
Agricultural products
[time series]
wheat, milk, barley, rapeseed, oats, peas, potatoes, rye, pork, beans (2022) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Average household expenditures
[time series]
on food: 18.7% of household expenditures (2022 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 7.8% of household expenditures (2022 est.)
Budget
[time series]
revenues: $13.907 billion (2022 est.) expenditures: $13.505 billion (2022 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Credit ratings
[time series]
Fitch rating: AA- (2018) Moody's rating: A1 (2002) Standard & Poors rating: AA- (2011) note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.
Current account balance
[time series]
-$848.528 million (2023 est.) -$1.231 billion (2022 est.) -$1.002 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Economic overview
[time series]
advanced, service-based EU and eurozone economy; economic downturn due to inflation, trade, and energy impacts of Ukraine war; decline in intra-EU trade; low public debt relative to EU members; recovery depends on improving private investment and productivity rates
Exchange rates
[time series]
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.925 (2023 est.) 0.95 (2022 est.) 0.845 (2021 est.) 0.876 (2020 est.) 0.893 (2019 est.)
Exports
[time series]
$31.939 billion (2023 est.) $32.461 billion (2022 est.) $29.522 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - commodities
[time series]
electricity, broadcasting equipment, refined petroleum, wood, coal tar oil (2022) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Exports - partners
[time series]
Finland 13%, Latvia 12%, Sweden 8%, Lithuania 7%, Russia 6% (2022) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
GDP (official exchange rate)
[time series]
$40.745 billion (2023 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
GDP - composition, by end use
[time series]
household consumption: 53% (2023 est.) government consumption: 20.9% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 26.6% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: 0.1% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 78.4% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -77.8% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
[time series]
agriculture: 2.2% (2023 est.) industry: 22.3% (2023 est.) services: 63.8% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
[time series]
31.8 (2021 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Household income or consumption by percentage share
[time series]
lowest 10%: 3.1% (2021 est.) highest 10%: 24.3% (2021 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Imports
[time series]
$31.701 billion (2023 est.) $32.671 billion (2022 est.) $29.937 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - commodities
[time series]
refined petroleum, cars, electricity, natural gas, coal tar oil (2022) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Imports - partners
[time series]
Finland 13%, Germany 10%, Lithuania 8%, Latvia 8%, Russia 8% (2022) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Industrial production growth rate
[time series]
-9.7% (2023 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Industries
[time series]
food, engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textiles; information technology, telecommunications
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
[time series]
9.16% (2023 est.) 19.4% (2022 est.) 4.65% (2021 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Labor force
[time series]
752,000 (2023 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Population below poverty line
[time series]
22.5% (2022 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Public debt
[time series]
25.2% of GDP (2022 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
[time series]
$57.377 billion (2023 est.) $59.155 billion (2022 est.) $59.429 billion (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP growth rate
[time series]
-3.01% (2023 est.) -0.46% (2022 est.) 7.25% (2021 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per capita
[time series]
$42,000 (2023 est.) $43,900 (2022 est.) $44,700 (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Remittances
[time series]
1.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.24% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.6% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
[time series]
$2.593 billion (2023 est.) $2.217 billion (2022 est.) $2.371 billion (2021 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Taxes and other revenues
[time series]
21.01% (of GDP) (2022 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Unemployment rate
[time series]
6.35% (2023 est.) 5.57% (2022 est.) 6.18% (2021 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
[time series]
total: 17.1% (2023 est.) male: 18.2% (2023 est.) female: 16% (2023 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions
[time series]
5.16 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 7,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 4.466 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.) from consumed natural gas: 688,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
Coal
[time series]
consumption: 3,000 metric tons (2022 est.) exports: 18.5 metric tons (2022 est.) imports: 2,000 metric tons (2022 est.)
Electricity
[time series]
installed generating capacity: 2.871 million kW (2022 est.) consumption: 7.476 billion kWh (2022 est.) exports: 6.173 billion kWh (2022 est.) imports: 7.182 billion kWh (2022 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 532 million kWh (2022 est.)
Electricity access
[time series]
electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity generation sources
[time series]
fossil fuels: 63.5% of total installed capacity (2022 est.) solar: 5.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.) wind: 9.6% of total installed capacity (2022 est.) hydroelectricity: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2022 est.) biomass and waste: 21.7% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
[time series]
73.259 million Btu/person (2022 est.)
Natural gas
[time series]
consumption: 354.912 million cubic meters (2022 est.) exports: 706.983 million cubic meters (2022 est.) imports: 1.255 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Petroleum
[time series]
total petroleum production: 24,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 28,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Environment
Air pollutants
[time series]
particulate matter emissions: 6.35 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 16.59 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 0.99 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate
[time series]
maritime; wet, moderate winters, cool summers
Environment - current issues
[time series]
air polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; however, the amounts of pollutants emitted into 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-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Land use
[time series]
agricultural land: 22.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 14.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 7.2% (2018 est.) forest: 52.1% (2018 est.) other: 25.7% (2018 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km)
[time series]
fresh water lake(s): Lake Peipus - 4,300 sq km (shared with Russia); Lake V rtsj rv - 270 sq km
Revenue from coal
[time series]
0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from forest resources
[time series]
0.85% of GDP (2018 est.)
Total renewable water resources
[time series]
12.81 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total water withdrawal
[time series]
municipal: 60 million cubic meters (2020 est.) industrial: 790 million cubic meters (2020 est.) agricultural: 4.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Urbanization
[time series]
urban population: 69.8% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: -0.03% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
[time series]
municipal solid waste generated annually: 473,000 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 117,020 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 24.7% (2015 est.)
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
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]
highest point: Suur Munamagi 318 m lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m mean elevation: 61 m
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]
20 sq km (2016)
Land boundaries
[time series]
total: 657 km border countries (2): Latvia 333 km; Russia 324 km
Land use
[time series]
agricultural land: 22.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 14.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 7.2% (2018 est.) forest: 52.1% (2018 est.) other: 25.7% (2018 est.)
Location
[time series]
Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia
Major lakes (area sq km)
[time series]
fresh water lake(s): Lake Peipus - 4,300 sq km (shared with Russia); Lake V rtsj rv - 270 sq km
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
[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 urban municipalities (linnad, singular - linn), 64 rural municipalities (vallad, singular vald) urban municipalities: Haapsalu, Keila, Kohtla-Jarve, Loksa, Maardu, Narva, Narva-Joesuu, Paide, Parnu, Rakvere, Sillamae, Tallinn, Tartu, Viljandi, Voru rural municipalities: Alutaguse, Anija, Antsla, Elva, Haademeeste, Haljala, Harku, Hiiumaa, Jarva, Joelahtme, Jogeva, Johvi, Kadrina, Kambja, Kanepi, Kastre, Kehtna, Kihnu, Kiili, Kohila, Kose, Kuusalu, Laane-Harju, Laane-Nigula, Laaneranna, Luganuse, Luunja, Marjamaa, Muhu, Mulgi, Mustvee, Noo, Otepaa, Peipsiaare, Pohja-Parnumaa, Pohja-Sakala, Poltsamaa, Polva, Raasiku, Rae, Rakvere, R pina, Rapla, Rouge, Ruhnu, Saarde, Saaremaa, Saku, Saue, Setomaa, Tapa, Tartu, Toila, Tori, Torva, Turi, Vaike-Maarja, Valga, Viimsi, Viljandi, Vinni, Viru-Nigula, Vormsi, Voru
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 etymology: the Estonian name is generally believed to be derived from "Taani-linn" (originally meaning "Danish castle", now "Danish town") after a stronghold built in the area by the Danes; it could also have come from "tali-linn" ("winter castle" or "winter town") or "talu-linn" ("home castle" or "home town")
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, entered into force 3 July 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
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 (while occupied by the USSR) etymology: the country name may derive 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 George P. KENT (since 21 February 2023) embassy: Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn mailing address: 4530 Tallinn Place, Washington DC 20521-4530 telephone: [372] 668-8100 FAX: [372] 668-8265 email address and website: acstallinn@state.gov https://ee.usembassy.gov/
Diplomatic representation in the US
[time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Kristjan PRIKK (since 7 July 2021) chancery: 2131 Massachusetts Ave, NW Washington, DC, 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101 FAX: [1] (202) 588-0108 email address and website: Embassy.Washington@mfa.ee https://washington.mfa.ee/ consulate(s) general: New York, San Francisco
Executive branch
[time series]
chief of state: President Alar KARIS (since 11 October 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Kaja KALLAS (since 26 January 2021) 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; if a president is still not elected, the process begins again; election last held on 30 to 31 August 2021 (next to be held in 2026); prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament election results: 2021: Alar KARIS (independent) elected president; won second round of voting in parliament with 72 of 101 votes 2016: Kersti KALJULAID elected president; won sixth round of voting in parliament with 81 of 98 votes (17 ballots blank); KALJULAID sworn in on 10 October 2016 - first female head of state of Estonia note - Prime Minister Kaja KALLAS resigned on 15 July 2024 but will continue as acting prime minister until the new government is sworn in
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]
24 February 1918 (from Soviet Russia); 20 August 1991 (declared from the Soviet Union); 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, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNTSO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, 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 are elected at general elections for a term of four years.) elections: last held on 5 March 2023; next elections 7 March 2027 election results: percent of vote by party - Reform 31.2%, EKRE 16.1%, Center 15.3%, E200 13.3%, SDE 9.3%, Pro Patria 8.2%, Left 2.4%, Right 2.3%, Greens 1.0%; seats by party - Reform 37, EKRE 17, Center 16, E200 14, SDE 9, Pro Patria 8; composition - men 71, women 30, percent of women 29.7%
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 heritage
[time series]
total World Heritage Sites: 2 (both cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Historic Center (Old Town) of Tallinn ; Struve Geodetic Arc
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 restoring its statehood
National symbol(s)
[time series]
barn swallow, cornflower; national colors: blue, black, white
Political parties
[time series]
Conservative People's Party (Konservatiivne Rahvaerakond) or EKRE Estonia 200 or E200 Estonia Centre Party of (Keskerakond) or KE Estonian Free Party or VAP Estonian Greens or EER Estonian Nationalists and Conservatives or ERK Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) or RE Estonian United Left Party or E VP Fatherland or I Pro Patria (Isamaa) The Right or PP Social Democratic Party or SDE
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 and many other countries -- 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 2004, formally joined the OECD in 2010, and adopted the euro as its official currency in 2011.
Military and Security
Military - note
[time series]
the Estonian military is a compact force that relies heavily on conscripts and reservists and the support of its NATO allies; Estonia s defense policy aims to guarantee the country s independence and sovereignty, protect its territorial integrity, including waters and airspace, and preserve constitutional order; Estonia s main defense goals are developing and maintaining a credible deterrent to outside aggression and ensuring the Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) can fulfill their commitments to NATO and interoperate with the armed forces of NATO and EU member states; the EDF s primary external focus is Russia; since Russia s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Estonia has boosted defense spending, sent arms to Ukraine, and sought to boost the EDF s capabilities in such areas as air defense, artillery, personnel readiness, and surveillance Estonia has been a member of NATO since 2004 and is fully integrated within the NATO structure; since 2017, Estonia has hosted a UK-led multinational NATO ground force battlegroup as part of the Alliance s Enhanced Forward Presence initiative; as the EDF Air Force does not have any combat aircraft, NATO has provided airspace protection for Estonia since 2004 through its Baltic Air Policing mission; NATO member countries that possess air combat capabilities voluntarily contribute to the mission on four-month rotations; NATO fighter aircraft have been hosted at Estonia s mari Air Base since 2014; Estonia also hosts a NATO cyber security center; it cooperates closely with the EU on defense issues through the EU Common Security and Defense Policy and is a member of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, a pool of high-readiness military forces from 10 Baltic and Scandinavian countries designed to respond to a wide range of contingencies in the North Atlantic, Baltic Sea, and High North regions; Estonia also has close defense ties with its Baltic neighbors and has bilateral military agreements with a number of European countries, as well as Canada and the US (2024)
Military and security forces
[time series]
Estonian Defense Forces: Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, Estonian Defense League Ministry of Interior: Police and Border Guard Board, Internal Security Service (2024)
Military and security service personnel strengths
[time series]
approximately 7,500 active-duty personnel; approximately 15,000 Defense League (2024) note: the Estonian Defense Forces rely largely on reservists who have completed compulsory conscription in the previous 10 years to fill out its active duty and Territorial Defense units during a crisis; there are more than 40,000 trained reservists and approximately 230,000 Estonians are enrolled in the mobilization registry
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
[time series]
the Estonian military has a mix of weapons and equipment from western European suppliers, as well as Israel, South Korea, Turkey, and the US (2024)
Military expenditures
[time series]
3.4% of GDP (2024 est.) 2.9% of GDP (2023) 2.2% of GDP (2022) 2% of GDP (2021) 2.3% of GDP (2020)
Military service age and obligation
[time series]
18-27 for compulsory military or governmental service for men; conscript service requirement 8-11 months depending on education; non-commissioned officers, reserve officers, and specialists serve 11 months; women can volunteer, and as of 2018 could serve in any military branch (2024) note 1: conscripts comprise approximately 3,000-3,300 of the Estonian military's 7,000 active-duty personnel and serve in all branches, except for the Air Force; after conscript service, reservists are called up for training every 5 years; Estonia has had conscription since 1991 note 2: in 2021, women comprised about 10% of the full-time professional military force; the Defense League includes a Women's Voluntary Defense Organization of more than 3,000 members
People and Society
Age structure
[time series]
0-14 years: 15.2% (male 92,980/female 88,753) 15-64 years: 62.2% (male 373,989/female 368,113) 65 years and over: 22.6% (2024 est.) (male 96,110/female 173,846)
Alcohol consumption per capita
[time series]
total: 11.65 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 4 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 1.92 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 4.6 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 1.13 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Birth rate
[time series]
8.2 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
[time series]
0.4% (2013/15)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
[time series]
NA
Current health expenditure
[time series]
7.8% of GDP (2020)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
[time series]
52.3% (2023 est.)
Death rate
[time series]
13.2 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Dependency ratios
[time series]
total dependency ratio: 58.3 youth dependency ratio: 26.1 elderly dependency ratio: 32.3 potential support ratio: 3.1 (2021 est.)
Drinking water source
[time series]
improved: urban: 100% of population rural: NA total: 99.6% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: NA total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.)
Education expenditure
(Education expenditures)
[time series]
6.6% of GDP (2020 est.)
Ethnic groups
[time series]
Estonian 69.1%, Russian 23.7%, Ukrainian 2.1%, other 4.6%, unspecified 0.5% (2021 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
[time series]
0.79 (2024 est.)
Hospital bed density
[time series]
4.6 beds/1,000 population (2018)
Infant mortality rate
[time series]
total: 3.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.) male: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Languages
[time series]
Estonian (official) 67.2%, Russian 28.5%, other 3.7%, unspecified 0.6% (2021est.)
Life expectancy at birth
[time series]
total population: 78.4 years (2024 est.) male: 73.8 years female: 83.2 years
Literacy
[time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.9% male: 99.9% female: 99.9% (2021)
Major urban areas - population
[time series]
454,000 TALLINN (capital) (2023)
Maternal mortality ratio
[time series]
5 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
Median age
[time series]
total: 45 years (2024 est.) male: 41.9 years female: 48.2 years
Mother's mean age at first birth
[time series]
28.2 years (2020 est.)
Nationality
[time series]
noun: Estonian(s) adjective: Estonian
Net migration rate
[time series]
-2.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
[time series]
21.2% (2016)
Physician density
[time series]
3.47 physicians/1,000 population (2019)
Population
[time series]
total: 1,193,791 male: 563,079 female: 630,712 (2024 est.)
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]
-0.76% (2024 est.)
Religions
[time series]
Orthodox 16.5%, Protestant 9.2% (Lutheran 7.7%, other Protestant 1.5%), other 3% (includes Roman Catholic, Muslim, Jehovah's Witness, Pentecostal, Buddhist, and Taara Believer), none 58.4%, unspecified 12.9% (2021 est.)
Sanitation facility access
[time series]
improved: urban: 99.8% of population rural: 100% of population total: 99.8% of population unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0.2% of population (2020 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
[time series]
total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 17 years (2020)
Sex ratio
[time series]
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.55 male(s)/female total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Tobacco use
[time series]
total: 29.7% (2020 est.) male: 36.3% (2020 est.) female: 23% (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate
[time series]
1.62 children born/woman (2024 est.)
Urbanization
[time series]
urban population: 69.8% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: -0.03% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Transnational Issues
Illicit drugs
[time series]
producer of synthetic drugs; 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]
refugees (country of origin): 38,020 (Ukraine) (as of 2 March 2024) stateless persons: 70,604 (2022); 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]
26 (2024)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
[time series]
ES
Heliports
[time series]
2 (2024)
Merchant marine
[time series]
total: 72 (2023) by type: general cargo 3, oil tanker 3, other 66
National air transport system
[time series]
number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 14 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 31,981 (2018)
Pipelines
[time series]
2,360 km gas (2016)
Ports
[time series]
total ports: 20 (2024) large: 4 medium: 1 small: 4 very small: 11 ports with oil terminals: 5 key ports: Muuga - Port of Tallin, Paldiski Lounasadam, Paljassaare, Sillamae, Vanasadam - Port of Tallinn
Railways
[time series]
total: 1,441 km (2020) 225 km electrified
Roadways
[time series]
total: 89,382 km (2022)
Waterways
[time series]
335 km (2011) (320 km are navigable year-round)