Estonia

Broadcast media

the publicly-owned broadcaster, Eesti Rahvusringhaaling (ERR), operates 2 television channels; national private TV channels expanding service; a range of channels are aimed at Russian-speaking viewers; high penetration rate for cable TV services with more than half of Estonian households connected; publicly-owned broadcaster, ERR, operates 4 radio networks and there are a growing number of private commercial radio stations broadcasting nationally, regionally, and locally (2008)

Internet country code

.ee

Internet hosts

729,534 (2010) country comparison to the world: 48

Internet users

971,700 (2009) country comparison to the world: 102

Telephone system

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 was used for the first time in the 2005 local elections 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 (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use

482,200 (2010) country comparison to the world: 100

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.653 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 140

Agriculture - products

grain, potatoes, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish

Budget

revenues: $7.719 billion expenditures: $7.692 billion (2010 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0.1% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 42

Commercial bank prime lending rate

7.759% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 9.385% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

$677.8 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 $893.1 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$24.22 billion (30 June 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $22.03 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

31.4 (2009) country comparison to the world: 109 37 (1999)

Economy - overview

Estonia, a 2004 European Union entrant, has a modern market-based economy and one of the higher per capita income levels in Central Europe and the Baltic region. Estonia's successive governments have pursued a free market, pro-business economic agenda and have wavered little in their commitment to pro-market reforms. The current government has followed relatively sound fiscal policies that have resulted in balanced budgets and very low public debt. The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors and strong trade ties with Finland, Sweden, and Germany. Tallinn's priority has been to sustain high growth rates - on average 8% per year from 2003 to 2007. Estonia's economy slowed down markedly and fell sharply into recession in mid-2008, primarily as a result of an investment and consumption slump following the bursting of the real estate market bubble. GDP dropped nearly 14% in 2009, among the world's highest rates of contraction. Rising exports to Sweden and Finland lead an economic recovery in 2010, but unemployment stands above 17%. Estonia joined the OECD in December 2010 and adopted the euro in January 2011.

Electricity - consumption

7.08 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

Electricity - exports

2.943 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

3.025 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

8.779 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Exchange rates

kroon (EEK) per US dollar - 11.8 (2010) 11.23 (2009) 10.7 (2008) 11.535 (2007) 12.473 (2006) note: on 1 January 2011 Estonia adopted the euro as legal tender

Exports

$11.66 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $9.125 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

machinery and electrical equipment 21%, wood and wood products 9%, metals 9%, furniture 7%, vehicles and parts 5%, food products and beverages 4%, textiles 4%, plastics 3%

Exports - partners

Finland 18.5%, Sweden 17%, Russia 10.4%, Latvia 9.8%, Germany 5.7%, Lithuania 5.3% (2010)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$19.78 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$24.69 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 $23.95 billion (2009 est.) $27.81 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 2.7% industry: 29.1% services: 68.2% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$19,100 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $18,400 (2009 est.) $21,300 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 -13.9% (2009 est.) -5.1% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 27.7% (2004)

Imports

$11.94 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 $9.903 billion (2009)

Imports - commodities

machinery and electrical equipment 22%, mineral fuels 18%, chemical products 3%, foodstuffs 6%, plastics 6%, textiles 5%

Imports - partners

Finland 15.7%, Germany 11.9%, Sweden 11.6%, Latvia 11.5%, Lithuania 8.2%, Poland 6.8%, Russia 4.5% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

13.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 14

Industries

engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textiles; information technology, telecommunications

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 -0.1% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

18.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Labor force

686,800 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 2.8% industry: 22.7% services: 74.5% (2008)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$2.26 billion (31 December 2010) country comparison to the world: 90 $2.654 billion (31 December 2009) $1.951 billion (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption

1.02 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 89

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

Natural gas - imports

1.02 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 58

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 177

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 132

Oil - consumption

31,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Oil - imports

28,520 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 104

Oil - production

7,642 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 127

Population below poverty line

19.7% (2008)

Public debt

6.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 7.1% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.568 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 $3.981 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$11.36 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 $11.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$6.029 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 $6.618 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$16.39 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 $16.25 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$18.95 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 $20.91 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$6.614 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 $5.99 billion (31 December 2009 est.) note: this figure represents the US dollar value of Estonian kroon in circulation prior to Estonia's joining the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 17 members of the EMU; individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders

Taxes and other revenues

39% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 48

Unemployment rate

16.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 13.8% (2009 est.)

Area

total: 45,228 sq km country comparison to the world: 133 land: 42,388 sq km water: 2,840 sq km note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined

Climate

maritime; wet, moderate winters, cool summers

Coastline

3,794 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Suur Munamagi 318 m

Environment - current issues

air polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; however, the amount of pollutants emitted to the air have fallen steadily, the emissions of 2000 were 80% less than in 1980; the amount of unpurified wastewater discharged to water bodies in 2000 was 1/20 the level of 1980; in connection with the start-up of new water purification plants, the pollution load of wastewater decreased; 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

Environment - international agreements

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 1.41 cu km/yr (56%/39%/5%) per capita: 1,060 cu m/yr (2002)

Geographic coordinates

59 00 N, 26 00 E

Geography - note

the mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded; offshore lie more than 1,500 islands

Irrigated land

40 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

total: 633 km border countries: Latvia 343 km, Russia 290 km

Land use

arable land: 12.05% permanent crops: 0.35% other: 87.6% (2005)

Location

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: limits fixed in coordination with neighboring states

Natural hazards

sometimes flooding occurs in the spring

Natural resources

oil shale, peat, rare earth elements, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand, dolomite, arable land, sea mud

Terrain

marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south

Total renewable water resources

21.1 cu km (2005)

Administrative divisions

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

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

Constitution

adopted 28 June 1992

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Estonia conventional short form: Estonia local long form: Eesti Vabariik local short form: Eesti former: Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Michael C. POLT embassy: Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [372] 668-8100 FAX: [372] 668-8265

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Marina KALJURAND 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

chief of state: President Toomas Hendrik ILVES (since 9 October 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Andrus ANSIP (since 12 April 2005) cabinet: Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); if a candidate does not secure two-thirds of the votes after three rounds of balloting in the Parliament, then an electoral assembly (made up of Parliament plus members of local councils) elects the president, choosing between the two candidates with the largest number of votes; election last held on 29 August 2011 (next to be held in the fall of 2016); prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament election results: Toomas Hendrik ILVES reelected president; parliamentary vote - Toomas Hendrik ILVES 73, Indrek TARAND 25

Flag description

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

parliamentary republic

Independence

20 August 1991 (declared); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, 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

Supreme Court (chairman appointed for life by Parliament)

Legal system

civil law system

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 6 March 2011 (next to be held in March 2015) election results: percent of vote by party - Estonian Reform Party 28.6%, Center Party of Estonia 23.3%, Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica 20.5%, Social Democratic Party 17.1%, Estonian Greens 3.8%, Estonian People's Union 2.1%, other 4.6%; seats by party - Estonian Reform Party 33, Center Party 26, Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica 23, Social Democratic Party 19

National anthem

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 with that of Finland but has different lyrics

National holiday

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)

barn swallow

Political parties and leaders

Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) [Edgar SAVISAAR]; Estonian Greens (Rohelised) [Marek STRANDBERG]; Estonian People's Union (Rahvaliit) [Andrus BLOK]; Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) [Andrus ANSIP]; Social Democratic Party [Sven MIKSER]; Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica (Isamaa je Res Publica Liit) [Mart LAAR]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal for all Estonian citizens

Background

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.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 291,801 females age 16-49: 302,696 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 210,854 females age 16-49: 251,185 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 6,668 female: 6,309 (2010 est.)

Military branches

Estonian Defense Forces: Land Force, Navy, Air Force (Eesti Ohuvagi), Defense League (Kaitseliit, KL) (2011)

Military expenditures

2% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 71

Military service age and obligation

obligation for compulsory service ages 16-60, with conscription "likely" ages 18-27; service requirement 8-11 months (2009)

Age structure

0-14 years: 15.1% (male 99,919/female 94,066) 15-64 years: 67.2% (male 410,132/female 451,736) 65 years and over: 17.7% (male 74,803/female 152,307) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

10.45 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 182

Death rate

13.55 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 20

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 99% of population rural: 97% of population total: 98% of population unimproved: urban: 1% of population rural: 3% of population total: 2% of population (2008)

Education expenditures

4.9% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 61

Ethnic groups

Estonian 68.7%, Russian 25.6%, Ukrainian 2.1%, Belarusian 1.2%, Finn 0.8%, other 1.6% (2008 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.2% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 43

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 500 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 85

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

9,900 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 97

Health expenditures

4.3% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 154

Hospital bed density

5.71 beds/1,000 population (2008) country comparison to the world: 30

Infant mortality rate

total: 7.06 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 166 male: 8.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Languages

Estonian (official) 67.3%, Russian 29.7%, other 2.3%, unknown 0.7% (2000 census)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 73.33 years country comparison to the world: 118 male: 68.02 years female: 78.97 years (2011 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: 99.8% female: 99.8% (2000 census)

Major cities - population

TALLINN (capital) 399,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne disease: tickborne encephalitis (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

12 deaths/100,000 live births (2008) country comparison to the world: 140

Median age

total: 40.5 years male: 37 years female: 43.9 years (2011 est.)

Nationality

noun: Estonian(s) adjective: Estonian

Net migration rate

-3.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

14.4% (2004) country comparison to the world: 38

Physicians density

3.409 physicians/1,000 population (2008) country comparison to the world: 31

Population

1,282,963 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Population growth rate

-0.641% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 225

Religions

Evangelical Lutheran 13.6%, Orthodox 12.8%, other Christian (including Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal) 1.4%, unaffiliated 34.1%, other and unspecified 32%, none 6.1% (2000 census)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 96% of population rural: 94% of population total: 95% of population unimproved: urban: 4% of population rural: 6% of population total: 5% of population (2008)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 17 years (2008)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.063 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female total population: 0.84 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.44 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 193

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 27.3% country comparison to the world: 18 male: 31.8% female: 21.2% (2009)

Urbanization

urban population: 69% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

Russia recalled its signature to the 1996 technical border agreement with Estonia in 2005, rather than concede to Estonia's appending a prepared unilateral declaration referencing Soviet occupation and territorial losses; Russia demands better accommodation of Russian-speaking population in Estonia; Estonian citizen groups continue to press for realignment of the boundary based on the 1920 Tartu Peace Treaty that would bring the now divided ethnic Setu people and parts of the Narva region within Estonia; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Estonia must implement the strict Schengen border rules with Russia

Illicit drugs

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

Trafficking in persons

current situation: Estonia is a source, transit, and destination country for women subjected to forced prostitution, and for men and women subjected to conditions of forced labor; women from Estonia are found in sex trafficking situations in Finland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy; men and women from Estonia are subjected to conditions of forced labor in Spain, Sweden, Norway, and Finland tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Estonia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; despite these efforts, the government did not demonstrate evidence of increasing its efforts; Estonia remains the only European Union country without a specific trafficking law; trafficking offenders convicted under non-trafficking statutes avoided accountability; the Estonian Government, however, gave some financial support to NGOs who care for trafficking victims, and it developed a national action plan with elements addressing trafficking in persons (2011)

Airports

19 (2010) country comparison to the world: 138

Airports - with paved runways

total: 13 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2010)

Heliports

1 (2010)

Merchant marine

total: 24 country comparison to the world: 95 by type: cargo 4, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 17, petroleum tanker 2 foreign-owned: 3 (Germany 1, Norway 2) registered in other countries: 77 (Antigua and Barbuda 20, Belize 1, Cambodia 1, Cyprus 7, Dominica 6, Finland 2, Latvia 4, Malta 16, former Netherlands Antilles 1, Norway 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10, Sierra Leone 1, Sweden 3, Venezuela 1) (2010)

Pipelines

gas 859 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Kuivastu, Kunda, Muuga, Parnu Reid, Sillamae, Tallinn

Railways

total: 1,196 km country comparison to the world: 84 broad gauge: 1,196 km 1.520-m and 1.524-m gauge (131 km electrified) (2010)

Roadways

total: 58,034 km country comparison to the world: 77 paved: 34,936 km (includes 104 km of expressways) unpaved: 23,098 km (2009)

Waterways

335 km (320 km are navigable year round) (2010) country comparison to the world: 91