Estonia

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 415,610 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2020 est.)

Broadcast media

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

.ee

Internet users

total: 1.183 million (2021 est.) percent of population: 91% (2021 est.)

Telecommunication systems

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

total subscriptions: 266,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20 (2022 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 2.056 million (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 155 (2022 est.)

Agricultural products

wheat, milk, barley, rapeseed, oats, peas, potatoes, rye, pork, beans (2022) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Average household expenditures

on food: 18.7% of household expenditures (2022 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 7.8% of household expenditures (2022 est.)

Budget

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

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

-$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

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

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

$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

electricity, broadcasting equipment, refined petroleum, wood, coal tar oil (2022) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

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)

$40.745 billion (2023 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

GDP - composition, by end use

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

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

31.8 (2021 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

$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

refined petroleum, cars, electricity, natural gas, coal tar oil (2022) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Imports - partners

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

-9.7% (2023 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

9.16% (2023 est.) 19.4% (2022 est.) 4.65% (2021 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Labor force

752,000 (2023 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Population below poverty line

22.5% (2022 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Public debt

25.2% of GDP (2022 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$57.377 billion (2023 est.) $59.155 billion (2022 est.) $59.429 billion (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP growth rate

-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

$42,000 (2023 est.) $43,900 (2022 est.) $44,700 (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars

Remittances

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

$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

21.01% (of GDP) (2022 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Unemployment rate

6.35% (2023 est.) 5.57% (2022 est.) 6.18% (2021 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 17.1% (2023 est.) male: 18.2% (2023 est.) female: 16% (2023 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Carbon dioxide emissions

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

consumption: 3,000 metric tons (2022 est.) exports: 18.5 metric tons (2022 est.) imports: 2,000 metric tons (2022 est.)

Electricity

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

electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Electricity generation sources

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

73.259 million Btu/person (2022 est.)

Natural gas

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

total petroleum production: 24,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 28,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Air pollutants

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

maritime; wet, moderate winters, cool summers

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

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

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)

fresh water lake(s): Lake Peipus - 4,300 sq km (shared with Russia); Lake V rtsj rv - 270 sq km

Revenue from coal

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from forest resources

0.85% of GDP (2018 est.)

Total renewable water resources

12.81 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 60 million cubic meters (2020 est.) industrial: 790 million cubic meters (2020 est.) agricultural: 4.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 69.8% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: -0.03% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Waste and recycling

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.)

Area

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

about twice the size of New Jersey

Climate

maritime; wet, moderate winters, cool summers

Coastline

3,794 km

Elevation

highest point: Suur Munamagi 318 m lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m mean elevation: 61 m

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

20 sq km (2016)

Land boundaries

total: 657 km border countries (2): Latvia 333 km; Russia 324 km

Land use

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

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

Major lakes (area sq km)

fresh water lake(s): Lake Peipus - 4,300 sq km (shared with Russia); Lake V rtsj rv - 270 sq km

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: limits as agreed to by Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Russia

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

Population distribution

a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations

Terrain

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

Administrative divisions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

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

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

civil law system

Legislative branch

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

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

total World Heritage Sites: 2 (both cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Historic Center (Old Town) of Tallinn ; Struve Geodetic Arc

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 restoring its statehood

National symbol(s)

barn swallow, cornflower; national colors: blue, black, white

Political parties

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

18 years of age; universal; age 16 for local elections

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 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 - note

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

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

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

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

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

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

Age structure

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

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

8.2 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

0.4% (2013/15)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

NA

Current health expenditure

7.8% of GDP (2020)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

52.3% (2023 est.)

Death rate

13.2 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Dependency ratios

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

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 expenditures

6.6% of GDP (2020 est.)

Ethnic groups

Estonian 69.1%, Russian 23.7%, Ukrainian 2.1%, other 4.6%, unspecified 0.5% (2021 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.79 (2024 est.)

Hospital bed density

4.6 beds/1,000 population (2018)

Infant mortality rate

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

Estonian (official) 67.2%, Russian 28.5%, other 3.7%, unspecified 0.6% (2021est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 78.4 years (2024 est.) male: 73.8 years female: 83.2 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.9% male: 99.9% female: 99.9% (2021)

Major urban areas - population

454,000 TALLINN (capital) (2023)

Maternal mortality ratio

5 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

Median age

total: 45 years (2024 est.) male: 41.9 years female: 48.2 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

28.2 years (2020 est.)

Nationality

noun: Estonian(s) adjective: Estonian

Net migration rate

-2.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

21.2% (2016)

Physician density

3.47 physicians/1,000 population (2019)

Population

total: 1,193,791 male: 563,079 female: 630,712 (2024 est.)

Population distribution

a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations

Population growth rate

-0.76% (2024 est.)

Religions

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

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)

total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 17 years (2020)

Sex ratio

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

total: 29.7% (2020 est.) male: 36.3% (2020 est.) female: 23% (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.62 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 69.8% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: -0.03% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Illicit drugs

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

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

Airports

26 (2024)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

ES

Heliports

2 (2024)

Merchant marine

total: 72 (2023) by type: general cargo 3, oil tanker 3, other 66

National air transport system

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

2,360 km gas (2016)

Ports

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

total: 1,441 km (2020) 225 km electrified

Roadways

total: 89,382 km (2022)

Waterways

335 km (2011) (320 km are navigable year-round)