2015 Edition

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, formally joined the OECD in late 2010, and adopted the euro as its official currency on 1 January 2011.

Area

land

42,388 sq km

note

includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea

total

45,228 sq km

water

2,840 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined

Climate

maritime; wet, moderate winters, cool summers

Coastline

3,794 km

Elevation extremes

highest point

Suur Munamagi 318 m

lowest point

Baltic Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

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; the pollution load of wastewater at purification plants has decreased substantially; 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)

per capita

1,337 cu m/yr (2009)

total

1.8 cu km/yr (3%/97%/0%)

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

4.58 sq km (2010)

Land boundaries

border countries (2)

Latvia 333 km, Russia 324 km

total

657 km

Land use

arable land 14.9%; permanent crops 0.1%; permanent pasture 7.2%

agricultural land

22.2%

forest

52.1%

other

25.7% (2011 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

exclusive economic zone

limits as agreed to by Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Russia

territorial sea

12 nm

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

12.81 cu km (2011)

Age structure

0-14 years

15.99% (male 103,855/female 98,478)

15-24 years

9.74% (male 63,840/female 59,425)

25-54 years

41.83% (male 265,496/female 263,873)

55-64 years

13.32% (male 75,279/female 93,264)

65 years and over

19.12% (male 81,525/female 160,385) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

10.51 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

63.4%

note

percent of women aged 18-49 (2004/05)

Death rate

12.4 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

28.8%

potential support ratio

3.5% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

53.5%

youth dependency ratio

24.7%

Drinking water source

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 expenditures

5.2% of GDP (2011)

Ethnic groups

Estonian 68.7%, Russian 24.8%, Ukrainian 1.7%, Belarusian 1%, Finn 0.6%, other 1.6%, unspecified 1.6% (2011 est.)

Health expenditures

5.7% of GDP (2013)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.3% (2013 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

8,600 (2013 est.)

Hospital bed density

5.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

female

3.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)

male

3.73 deaths/1,000 live births

total

3.85 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Estonian (official) 68.5%, Russian 29.6%, Ukrainian 0.6%, other 1.2%, unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

female

81.53 years (2015 est.)

male

71.64 years

total population

76.47 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99.8% (2015 est.)

male

99.8%

total population

99.8%

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

intermediate

vectorborne disease

tickborne encephalitis (2013)

Major urban areas - population

TALLINN (capital) 391,000 (2015)

Median age

female

44.5 years (2014 est.)

male

37.6 years

total

41.2 years

Nationality

adjective

Estonian

noun

Estonian(s)

Net migration rate

-3.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

24.5% (2014)

Physicians density

3.24 physicians/1,000 population (2012)

Population

1,265,420 (July 2015 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.55% (2015 est.)

Religions

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

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)

female

17 years (2012)

male

16 years

total

16 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.07 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

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.87 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.59 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

17.9% (2012 est.)

male

23.4%

total

20.9%

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

-0.45% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

67.5% of total population (2015)

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

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

59 26 N, 24 43 E

name

Tallinn

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

several previous; latest adopted 28 June 1992; amended several times, last in 2012 (2012)

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Estonia

conventional short form

Estonia

former

Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic

local long form

Eesti Vabariik

local short form

Eesti

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Jeffrey D. LEVINE (since 24 July 2012)

embassy

Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn

FAX

[372] 668-8134

mailing address

use embassy street address

telephone

[372] 668-8100

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2131 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Eerik MARMEI (since 18 September 2014)

consulate(s) general

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 588-0108

telephone

[1] (202) 588-0101

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament

chief of state

President Toomas Hendrik ILVES (since 9 October 2006)

election results

Toomas Hendrik ILVES reelected president; Parliament vote - Toomas Hendrik ILVES (independent) 73, Indrek TARAND (independent) 25

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 three rounds of balloting, then an electoral assembly of Parliament and local council members elects the president, choosing between the two candidates with the highest 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

head of government

Taavi ROIVAS (since 26 March 2014)

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, 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

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and organized into the Civil Chamber with a chamber chairman and 6 justices, the Criminal Chamber with a chamber chairman and 5 justices, the Administrative Law Chamber with a chamber chairman and 4 justices, and the Constitutional Review Chamber with 9 members - the chief justice and 2 justices from the Civil Chamber, 3 from the Criminal Chamber and 3 from the Administrative chamber)

judge selection and term of office

the chief justice is proposed by the president 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 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)

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%; seats by party - RE 30, K 27, SDE 15, IRL 14, EV 8, EKRE 7

elections

last held on 1 March 2015 (next to be held in March 2019)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Johann Voldemar JANNSEN/Fredrik PACIUS

name

"Mu isamaa, mu onn ja room" (My Native Land, My Pride and Joy)

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

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, cornflower; national colors: blue, black, white

Political parties and leaders

Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) or K [Edgar SAVISAAR]

Estonian Conservative People's Party (Konservatiivne Rahvaerakond) or EKRE [Mart HELME]

Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) or RE [Taavi ROIVAS]

Free Party or EV [Andres HERKEL]

Social Democratic Party or SDE [Sven MIKSER]

Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica (Isamaa je Res Publica Liit) or IRL [Urmas REINSALU]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal for all Estonian citizens

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

expenditures

$9.877 billion (2014 est.)

revenues

$9.811 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.2% of GDP (2014 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.1% (31 December 2014 est.)

5.37% (31 December 2013 est.)

Current account balance

-$14 million (2014 est.)

-$271 million (2013 est.)

Debt - external

$22.79 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$21.33 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

32.9 (2013)

37 (1999)

Economy - overview

Estonia, a member of the European Union 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. 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 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, and Germany. Estonia's economy fell into recession in mid-2008, as a result of an investment and consumption slump following the bursting of the real estate market bubble and a decrease in export demand as result of economic slowdown in the rest of Europe, but the economy recovered strongly in the five years up to 2014. Growth fell below 2% in 2014 as a consequence of weak EU and Russian growth. Estonia is challenged by a shortage of labor, both skilled and unskilled, and the government has amended its immigration law to allow easier hiring of highly qualified foreign workers.

Exchange rates

kroon (EEK) per US dollar -

0.7697 (2013 est.)

0.7778 (2012 est.)

0.72 (2011 est.)

11.81 (2010 est.)

Exports

$15.82 billion (2014 est.)

$15.22 billion (2013 est.)

Exports - commodities

machinery and electrical equipment 29%, food products and beverages 16%, mineral fuels 11%, wood and wood products 9%, metals 7%, furniture 7%, vehicles and parts 5%, textiles 4%, chemicals 5% (2014 est.)

Exports - partners

Sweden 17.4%, Finland 16.6%, Russia 11.7%, Latvia 10.7%, Lithuania 6%, Germany 4.7% (2013)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

(2014 est.)

exports of goods and services

87.1%

government consumption

20.1%

household consumption

50.5%

imports of goods and services

-85.6%

investment in fixed capital

28.2%

investment in inventories

-0.3%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

3.6%

industry

29.2%

services

67.2% (2014 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$27,000 (2014 est.)

$26,400 (2013 est.)

$26,000 (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.1% (2014 est.)

1.6% (2013 est.)

4.7% (2012 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$25.95 billion (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$35.62 billion (2014 est.)

$34.89 billion (2013 est.)

$34.33 billion (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

Gross national saving

25.8% of GDP (2014 est.)

26.8% of GDP (2013 est.)

26.7% of GDP (2012 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

27.7% (2004)

lowest 10%

2.7%

Imports

$17.05 billion (2014 est.)

$16.52 billion (2013 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and electrical equipment 28 %, mineral fuels 13%, food and food products 10%, chemical products 8%, metals 8%, plastics 5% (2014 est.)

Imports - partners

Finland 15.1%, Germany 10.8%, Sweden 10.4%, Latvia 9.5%, Lithuania 8.9%, Poland 8.2%, Russia 4.7%, China 4.3%, UK 4.3% (2013)

Industrial production growth rate

2% (2014 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.1% (2014 est.)

2.8% (2013 est.)

Labor force

669,800 (2014 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

3.9%

industry

28.4%

services

67.7% (2014)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$2.332 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

$1.611 billion (31 December 2011)

$2.26 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

22.1% (2013 est.)

Public debt

9.9% of GDP (2014 est.)

9.8% of GDP (2013 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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$366 million (31 December 2014 est.)

$314.4 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of broad money

$14.71 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$14.05 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$9.012 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$8.762 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$25 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$24 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$21.54 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$21.24 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$10.8 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$9.741 billion (31 December 2013 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

Taxes and other revenues

37.2% of GDP (2014 est.)

Unemployment rate

7% (2014 est.)

8.6% (2013 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

5.686 million Mt (2012 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

13,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)

Electricity - consumption

7.681 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - exports

6.301 billion kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

91.1% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0.2% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

8.7% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - imports

2.712 billion kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

2.825 million kW (2011 est.)

Electricity - production

11.66 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

678 million cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - imports

678 million cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

29,550 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

21,490 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Broadcast media

the publicly owned broadcaster, Eesti Rahvusringhaaling (ERR), operates 2 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; high penetration rate for cable TV services with more than half of Estonian households connected (2008)

Internet country code

.ee

Internet users

percent of population

81.6% (2014 est.)

total

1 million

Radio broadcast stations

AM 0, FM 34, shortwave 0 (2009)

Telephone system

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

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

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 (2011)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

32 (2014 est.)

total subscriptions

410,000

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

162 (2014 est.)

total

2.1 million

Television broadcast stations

15 (2008)

Airports

18 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

2,438 to 3,047 m

8

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2013)

over 3,047 m

2

total

13

Airports - with unpaved runways

3 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

1

total

5

Heliports

1 (2012)

Merchant marine

by type

cargo 4, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 18, petroleum tanker 2

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)

total

25

Pipelines

gas 868 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

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

Railways

broad gauge

1,196 km 1.520-m and 1.524-m gauge (133 km electrified)

note

includes 277 km of private rail (2014)

total

1,196 km

Roadways

paved

10,427 km (includes 115 km of expressways)

total

58,412 km (includes urban roads)

unpaved

47,985 km (2011)

Waterways

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

Manpower available for military service

females age 16-49

302,696 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

291,801

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

251,185 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

210,854

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

6,309 (2010 est.)

male

6,668

Military branches

Estonian Defense Forces (Eesti Kaitsevagi): Land Force (Maavagi), Navy (Merevagi), Air Force (Ohuvagi), Defense League (Kaitseliit) (2012)

Military expenditures

2% of GDP (2013)

1.92% of GDP (2012)

1.69% of GDP (2011)

1.92% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

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 (2013)

Disputes - international

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

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

stateless persons

88,076 (2014); 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