2016 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

45,228 sq km 42,388 sq km 2,840 sq km includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea

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

about twice the size of New Jersey

Climate

maritime; wet, moderate winters, cool summers

Coastline

3,794 km

Elevation

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

elevation extremes

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m

highest point

Suur Munamagi 318 m

mean elevation

61 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

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 none of the selected 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

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 (2012)

Land boundaries

657 km Latvia 333 km, Russia 324 km

border countries (2)

Latvia 333 km, Russia 324 km

total

657 km

Land use

22.2% arable land 14.9%; permanent crops 0.1%; permanent pasture 7.2% 52.1% 25.7% (2011 est.)

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

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

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

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

Age structure

16.12% (male 104,011/female 98,809) 9.3% (male 60,714/female 56,291) 41.64% (male 263,762/female 260,334) 13.47% (male 76,063/female 93,479) 19.47% (male 82,968/female 162,114) (2016 est.)

0-14 years

16.12% (male 104,011/female 98,809)

15-24 years

9.3% (male 60,714/female 56,291)

25-54 years

41.64% (male 263,762/female 260,334)

55-64 years

13.47% (male 76,063/female 93,479)

65 years and over

19.47% (male 82,968/female 162,114) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

10.3 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

63.4% percent of women aged 18-49 (2004/05)

note

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

Death rate

12.5 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Dependency ratios

53.5% 24.7% 28.8% 3.5% (2015 est.)

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.)

rural

1% of population

total

0.4% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

4.7% of GDP (2012)

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

6.4% of GDP (2014)

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

3.8 deaths/1,000 live births 3.7 deaths/1,000 live births 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

female

3.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

male

3.7 deaths/1,000 live births

total

3.8 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

76.7 years 71.9 years 81.7 years (2016 est.)

female

81.7 years (2016 est.)

male

71.9 years

total population

76.7 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99.8% 99.8% 99.8% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99.8% (2015 est.)

male

99.8%

total population

99.8%

Major infectious diseases

intermediate tickborne encephalitis (2016)

degree of risk

intermediate

vectorborne disease

tickborne encephalitis (2016)

Major urban areas - population

TALLINN (capital) 391,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

9 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

42.4 years 39 years 45.8 years (2016 est.)

female

45.8 years (2016 est.)

male

39 years

total

42.4 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

26.5 (2013 est.)

Nationality

Estonian(s) Estonian

adjective

Estonian

noun

Estonian(s)

Net migration rate

-3.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

24.5% (2014)

Physicians density

3.24 physicians/1,000 population (2012)

Population

1,258,545 (July 2016 est.)

Population distribution

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

Population growth rate

-0.54% (2016 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.)

rural

3.4% of population

total

2.8% of population (2015 est.)

urban

2.5% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

17 years 16 years 17 years (2013)

female

17 years (2013)

male

16 years

total

17 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.08 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.81 male(s)/female 0.51 male(s)/female 0.88 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.08 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.01 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.81 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.51 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.88 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.6 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

15% 19.3% 10% (2014 est.)

female

10% (2014 est.)

male

19.3%

total

15%

Urbanization

67.5% of total population (2015) -0.45% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

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) counties have the administrative center name following in parentheses

note

counties have the administrative center name following in parentheses

Capital

Tallinn 59 26 N, 24 43 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

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)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Estonia no 5 years

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

several previous; latest adopted 28 June 1992; amended several times, last in 2015 (2016)

Country name

Republic of Estonia Estonia Eesti Vabariik Eesti Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic the country name may be derived from the Aesti, an ancient people who lived along the eastern Baltic Sea in the first centuries A.D.

conventional long form

Republic of Estonia

conventional short form

Estonia

etymology

the country name may be derived from the Aesti, an ancient people who lived along the eastern Baltic Sea in the first centuries A.D.

former

Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic

local long form

Eesti Vabariik

local short form

Eesti

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador James D. MELVILLE Jr. (since 8 December 2015) Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn use embassy street address [372] 668-8100 [372] 668-8134

chief of mission

Ambassador James D. MELVILLE Jr. (since 8 December 2015)

embassy

Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn

FAX

[372] 668-8134

mailing address

use embassy street address

telephone

[372] 668-8100

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Eerik MARMEI (since 18 September 2014) 2131 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 588-0101 [1] (202) 588-0108 New York

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

President Kersti KALJULAID (since 10 October 2016) Taavi ROIVAS (since 26 March 2014) Cabinet appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament president indirectly elected by Parliament for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); if a candidate does not secure two-thirds of the votes after 3 rounds of balloting, then an electoral college consisting of Parliament members and local council members elects the president, choosing between the 2 candidates with the highest number of votes; election last held on 29-30 August 2016 but three rounds were inconclusive; two electoral college votes on 24 September 2016 were also indecisive, so the election passed back to Parliament; on 3 October the Parliament elected Kersti KALJULAID as president; prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament Kersti KALJULAID elected president; Parliament vote - Kersti KALJULAID (independent) 81 of 98 votes; note - KALJULAID is Estonia's first female president

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament

chief of state

President Kersti KALJULAID (since 10 October 2016)

election results

Kersti KALJULAID elected president; Parliament vote - Kersti KALJULAID (independent) 81 of 98 votes; note - KALJULAID is Estonia's first female president

elections/appointments

president indirectly elected by Parliament for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); if a candidate does not secure two-thirds of the votes after 3 rounds of balloting, then an electoral college consisting of Parliament members and local council members elects the president, choosing between the 2 candidates with the highest number of votes; election last held on 29-30 August 2016 but three rounds were inconclusive; two electoral college votes on 24 September 2016 were also indecisive, so the election passed back to Parliament; on 3 October the Parliament elected Kersti KALJULAID as president; prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament

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

Supreme Court (consists of 19 justices including the chief justice and organized into civil, criminal, administrative, and constitutional review chambers) 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 circuit (appellate) courts; administrative, county, city, and specialized courts

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

unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) last held on 1 March 2015 (next to be held in March 2019) percent of vote by party - RE 27.7%, K 24.8%, SDE 15.2%, IRL 13.7%, EV 8.7%, EKRE 8.1%, other 1.8%; seats by party - RE 30, K 27, SDE 15, IRL 14, EV 8, EKRE 7

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%, other 1.8%; 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

"Mu isamaa, mu onn ja room" (My Native Land, My Pride and Joy) Johann Voldemar JANNSEN/Fredrik PACIUS 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

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

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 [Jevgeni OSSINOVSKI] Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica (Isamaa je Res Publica Liit) or IRL [Margus TSAHKNA]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal for all Estonian citizens

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$9.076 billion $8.975 billion (2015 est.)

expenditures

$8.975 billion (2015 est.)

revenues

$9.076 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0.4% of GDP (2015 est.)

Central bank discount rate

0.05% (31 December 2013) 0.3% (31 December 2012)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

4.48% (31 December 2015 est.) 4.76% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

$437 million (2015 est.) $272 million (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$18.3 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $20.11 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

35.6 (2014) 37 (1999)

Economy - overview

Estonia, a member of the EU since 2004 and the euro zone since 2011, has a modern market-based economy and one of the higher per capita income levels in Central Europe and the Baltic region. Estonia's successive governments have pursued a free market, pro-business economic agenda, and sound fiscal policies that have resulted in balanced budgets and low public debt. The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors and strong trade ties with Finland, Sweden, and Germany. After two years of robust recovery in 2011 and 2012, the Estonian economy faltered in 2013 with only 1.6% GDP growth, mainly due to continuing recession in much of the EU. GDP growth in 2014 was 2.9% but dropped to 1.2% in 2015 due to lower demand in key Scandinavian export markets. GDP growth is expected to be about 2.2% in 2016. Estonia is challenged by a shortage of labor, both skilled and unskilled, although the government has amended its immigration law to allow easier hiring of highly qualified foreign workers.

Exchange rates

kroon (EEK) per US dollar - 0.9012 (2015 est.) 0.7525 (2014 est.) 0.7525 (2013 est.) 0.72 (2011 est.)

Exports

$12.24 billion (2015 est.) $15.18 billion (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

machinery and electrical equipment 34%, food products and beverages 9%, mineral fuels 9%, wood and wood products 10%, metals 7%, furniture 9%, vehicles and parts 6%, chemicals 5% (2015 est.)

Exports - partners

Sweden 18.8%, Finland 16%, Latvia 10.4%, Russia 6.7%, Lithuania 5.9%, Germany 5.2%, Norway 4.1% (2015)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

50.3% 19.9% 24.2% 1.5% 79.8% -75.7% (2015 est.)

exports of goods and services

79.8%

government consumption

19.9%

household consumption

50.3%

imports of goods and services

-75.7% (2015 est.)

investment in fixed capital

24.2%

investment in inventories

1.5%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

3.5% 27.7% 68.8% (2015 est.)

agriculture

3.5%

industry

27.7%

services

68.8% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$28,600 (2015 est.) $28,200 (2014 est.) $27,400 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.1% (2015 est.) 2.9% (2014 est.) 1.6% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$22.7 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$37.55 billion (2015 est.) $37.15 billion (2014 est.) $36.1 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

26.7% of GDP (2015 est.) 28.9% of GDP (2014 est.) 27.5% of GDP (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.7% 27.7% (2004)

highest 10%

27.7% (2004)

lowest 10%

2.7%

Imports

$13.19 billion (2015 est.) $16.51 billion (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and electrical equipment 28 %, mineral fuels 11%, food and food products 10%, vehicles 9%, chemical products 8%, metals 8% (2015 est.)

Imports - partners

Finland 14.5%, Germany 11%, Lithuania 9%, Sweden 8.5%, Latvia 8.3%, Poland 7.4%, Russia 6.1%, Netherlands 5.5%, China 4.8% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

-1.6% (2015 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.5% (2015 est.) -0.1% (2014 est.)

Labor force

683,200 (2015 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

3.9% 28.4% 67.7% (2014)

agriculture

3.9%

industry

28.4%

services

67.7% (2014)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$2.034 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $2.591 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $2.332 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Population below poverty line

21.6% (2014 est.)

Public debt

9.7% of GDP (2015 est.) 10.4% of GDP (2014 est.) 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

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

$414.8 million (31 December 2015 est.) $436.8 million (31 December 2014 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

$9.164 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $10.32 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$22.02 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $23.92 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$19.88 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $19.68 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$10.96 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $10.19 billion (31 December 2014 est.) 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

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

40% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.2% (2015 est.) 7.3% (2014 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

5.8 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

15,190 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2016 es)

Electricity - consumption

8.2 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - exports

6.484 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

87% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0.2% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

12% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)

Electricity - imports

3.73 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

3.138 million kW (2014 est.)

Electricity - production

12 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

530 million cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - imports

530 million cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

27,710 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

6,954 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

32,610 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2015 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

1.119 million 88.4% (July 2015 est.)

percent of population

88.4% (July 2015 est.)

total

1.119 million

Telephone system

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 substantial fiber-optic cable systems carry telephone, TV, and radio traffic in the digital mode; Internet services are widely available; schools and libraries are connected to the Internet, a large percentage of the population files income tax returns online, and online voting - in local and parliamentary elections - has climbed steadily since first introduced in 2005 country code - 372; fiber-optic cables to Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and Russia provide worldwide packet-switched service; 2 international switches are located in Tallinn (2015)

domestic

substantial fiber-optic cable systems carry telephone, TV, and radio traffic in the digital mode; Internet services are widely available; schools and libraries are connected to the Internet, a large percentage of the population files income tax returns online, and online voting - in local and parliamentary elections - has climbed steadily since first introduced in 2005

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 (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

387,607 31 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

31 (July 2015 est.)

total subscriptions

387,607

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.904 million 150 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

150 (July 2015 est.)

total

1.904 million

Airports

18 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

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

under 914 m

3 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

ES (2016)

Heliports

1 (2012)

Merchant marine

cargo 4, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 18, petroleum tanker 2 3 (Germany 1, Norway 2) 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)

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

National air transport system

512,388 870,362 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

870,362 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

512,388

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

14

number of registered air carriers

3

Pipelines

gas 868 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

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

major seaport(s)

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

Railways

1,196 km 1,196 km 1.520-m and 1.524-m gauge (133 km electrified) includes 277 km of private rail (2014)

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

58,412 km (includes urban roads) 10,427 km (includes 115 km of expressways) 47,985 km (2011)

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)

Military branches

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

Estonian Defense Forces (Eesti Kaitsevagi)

Land Force (Maavagi), Navy (Merevagi), Air Force (Ohuvagi), Defense League (Kaitseliit) (2012)

Military expenditures

2% of GDP (2015) 2% of GDP (2014) 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

85,301 (2015); 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

stateless persons

85,301 (2015); 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