2021 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 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 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

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

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

40 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

border countries

Latvia 333 km, Russia 324 km

total

657 km

Land use

agricultural land

22.2% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 14.9% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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

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

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

0-14 years

16.22% (male 102,191/female 97,116)

15-24 years

8.86% (male 56,484/female 52,378)

25-54 years

40.34% (male 252,273/female 243,382)

55-64 years

13.58% (male 76,251/female 90,576)

65 years and over

21% (male 89,211/female 168,762) (2020 est.)

Birth rate

9.03 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

0.4% (2013/15)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

NA

Current Health Expenditure

6.7% (2018)

Death rate

13.06 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

32.3

potential support ratio

3.1 (2020 est.)

total dependency ratio

58.4

youth dependency ratio

26.1

Drinking water source

improved: rural

rural: 100% of population

improved: total

total: 100% of population

improved: urban

urban: 100% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 0% of population

unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2017 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0% of population

Education expenditures

5.2% of GDP (2018)

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.8% (2020 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

<100 (2020 est.)

note

note: estimate does not include children

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

7,100 (2020 est.)

note

note: estimate does not include children

Hospital bed density

4.6 beds/1,000 population (2018)

Infant mortality rate

female

3.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)

male

3.32 deaths/1,000 live births

total

3.47 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

82.51 years (2021 est.)

male

72.98 years

total population

77.63 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99.8% (2015)

male

99.8%

total population

99.8%

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

intermediate (2020)

vectorborne diseases

tickborne encephalitis

Major urban areas - population

449,000 TALLINN (capital) (2021)

Maternal mortality ratio

9 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median age

female

47 years (2020 est.)

male

40.4 years

total

43.7 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

28.2 years (2019 est.)

Nationality

adjective

Estonian

noun

Estonian(s)

Net migration rate

-2.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

21.2% (2016)

Physicians density

4.48 physicians/1,000 population (2018)

Population

1,220,042 (July 2021 est.)

Population distribution

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

Population growth rate

-0.69% (2021 est.)

Religions

Orthodox 16.2%, Lutheran 9.9%, 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

improved: rural

rural: 100% of population

improved: total

total: 100% of population

improved: urban

urban: 100% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 0% of population

unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2017 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

17 years (2019)

male

15 years

total

16 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.08 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.04 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.84 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.53 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.88 male(s)/female (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.61 children born/woman (2021 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

18.4% (2020 est.)

male

17.4%

total

17.9%

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

-0.03% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

69.4% of total population (2021)

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, Vorurural 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, Räpina, 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

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")

geographic coordinates

59 26 N, 24 43 E

name

Tallinn

time difference

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

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

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

history

several previous; latest adopted 28 June 1992, entered into force 3 July 1992

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Estonia

conventional short form

Estonia

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.

former

Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic (while occupied by the USSR)

local long form

Eesti Vabariik

local short form

Eesti

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Brian RORAFF (since July 2019)

email address and website

acstallinn@state.govhttps://ee.usembassy.gov/

embassy

Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn

FAX

[372] 668-8265

mailing address

4530 Tallinn Place, Washington DC  20521-4530

telephone

[372] 668-8100

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

1990 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20006

chief of mission

Ambassador Kristjan PRIKK (since 7 July 2021)

consulate(s) general

New York, San Francisco

email address and website

Embassy.Washington@mfa.eehttps://washington.mfa.ee/

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 Alar KARIS (since 11 October 2021)

election results

Alar KARIS elected president on 31 August 2021; parliament vote-Alar KARIS (independent) 72 of 101 votes; note – KARIS follows Kersti KALJULAID, who was Estonia's first female president; KALLAS is Estonia's first female prime minister

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 30-31 August 2021 (next to be held in 2026); in a first round of voting on 30 August, parliament failed to elect a president; in a second round on 31 August, the sole candidate, Alar KARIS, received 72 votes of 101 votes (there were 8 blank votes and 21 electors not present); KARIS was inaugurated on 11 October 2021; prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament

head of government

Prime Minister Kaja KALLAS (since 26 January 2021)

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, 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 courts

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 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by open- list proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - RE 28.9%, K 23.1%, EKRE 17.8%, Pro Patria 11.4%, SDE 9.8%, other 9%; seats by party - RE 34, K 26, EKRE 19, Pro Patria 12, SDE 10; composition - men 75, women 26, percent of women 25.7%

elections

last held on 3 March 2019 (next to be held in March 2023)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Johann Voldemar JANNSEN/Fredrik PACIUS

name

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

note

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 restoring its statehood

National symbol(s)

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

Political parties and leaders

Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) or K [Juri RATAS]Estonia 200 [Kristina KALLAS]Estonian Conservative People's Party (Konservatiivne Rahvaerakond) or EKRE [Mart HELME]Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) or RE [Kaja KALLAS]Free Party or EV [Andres HERKEL]Pro Patria (Isamaa) [Helir-Valdor SEEDER]Social Democratic Party or SDE [Jevgeni OSSINOVSKI]

Suffrage

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

Agricultural products

wheat, milk, barley, rapeseed, rye, oats, peas, potatoes, pork, triticale

Budget

expenditures

10.44 billion (2017 est.)

revenues

10.37 billion (2017 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Credit ratings

Fitch rating

AA- (2018)

Moody's rating

A1 (2002)

Standard & Poors rating

AA- (2011)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2018

$280 million (2018 est.)

Current account balance 2019

$616 million (2019 est.)

Debt - external

Debt - external 2018

$23.607 billion (2018 est.)

Debt - external 2019

$23.944 billion (2019 est.)

Economic 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, but its economy is highly dependent on trade, leaving it vulnerable to external shocks. Estonia's successive governments have pursued a free market, pro-business economic agenda, and sound fiscal policies that have resulted in balanced budgets and the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the EU.The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors and strong trade ties with Finland, Sweden, Germany, and Russia. The economy’s 4.9% GDP growth in 2017 was the fastest in the past six years, leaving the Estonian economy in its best position since the financial crisis 10 years ago. For the first time in many years, labor productivity increased faster than labor costs in 2017. Inflation also rose in 2017 to 3.5% alongside increased global prices for food and energy, which make up a large share of Estonia’s consumption.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, and wage growth that outpaces productivity gains. The government is also pursuing efforts to boost productivity growth with a focus on innovations that emphasize technology start-ups and e-commerce.

Exchange rates

currency

euros (EUR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2013

0.7634 (2013 est.)

Exchange rates 2014

0.885 (2014 est.)

Exchange rates 2018

0.87789 (2018 est.)

Exchange rates 2019

0.90338 (2019 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

0.82771 (2020 est.)

Exports

Exports 2018

$22.69 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)

Exports 2019

$22.94 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.)

Exports 2020

$21.69 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2020 est.)

Exports - commodities

broadcasting equipment, refined petroleum, coal tar oil, cars, prefabricated buildings (2019)

Exports - partners

Finland 13%, Sweden 9%, Latvia 8%, Russia 8%, United States 7%, Lithuania 6%, Germany 6% (2019)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

77.2% (2017 est.)

government consumption

20.4% (2017 est.)

household consumption

50.3% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services

-74% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital

24% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories

2.2% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

2.8% (2017 est.)

industry

29.2% (2017 est.)

services

68.1% (2017 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$31.461 billion (2019 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2014

35.6 (2014)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2017

30.4 (2017 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

25.6% (2015)

lowest 10%

2.3%

Imports

Imports 2018

$21.89 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)

Imports 2019

$21.68 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.)

Imports 2020

$21.73 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2020 est.)

Imports - commodities

cars, refined petroleum, coal tar oil, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicines (2019)

Imports - partners

Russia 12%, Germany 10%, Finland 9%, Lithuania 7%, Latvia 7%, Sweden 6%, Poland 6%, China 6% (2019)

Industrial production growth rate

9.5% (2017 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017

3.4% (2017 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2018

3.4% (2018 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2019

2.2% (2019 est.)

Labor force

648,000 (2020 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

2.7%

industry

20.5%

services

76.8% (2017 est.)

Population below poverty line

21.7% (2018 est.)

Public debt

note

note: data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities, including sub-sectors of central government, state government, local government, and social security funds

Public debt 2016

9.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

Public debt 2017

9% of GDP (2017 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

note

note: data are in 2010 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2018

$46.54 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2019

$48.87 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2020

$47.44 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2020 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2017

5.51% (2017 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2018

4.36% (2018 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2019

5% (2019 est.)

Real GDP per capita

note

note: data are in 2010 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2018

$35,200 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2019

$36,800 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2020

$35,600 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2020 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2016

$352.2 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2017

$345 million (31 December 2017 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

39.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2018

4.73% (2018 est.)

Unemployment rate 2019

4.94% (2019 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

18.4% (2020 est.)

male

17.4%

total

17.9%

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity - consumption

8.795 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports

5.613 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

72% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

28% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports

3.577 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

2.578 million kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production

11.55 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population

100% (2020)

Natural gas - consumption

481.4 million cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - imports

481.4 million cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

28,300 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

27,150 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

35,520 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

31.33 (2020 est.)

total

415,610 (2020)

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

percent of population

89.06% (2020 est.)

total

1.21 million (2021 est.)

Telecommunication systems

domestic

25 per 100 for fixed-line and 147 per 100 for mobile-cellular; 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 being introduced in 2005; a large percent of Estonian households have broadband access (2019)

general assessment

greatly improved telecom service through a range of regulatory measures, competition, and foreign investment, leading to high-quality voice, data, and Internet services; one of the most advanced mobile markets and highest broadband penetration rates in Europe; government commits 20 million euro to rural broadband program; operators supporting LTE infrastructure and launch of smart services; 5G services in major cities; government provides Internet to schools and libraries (2020)

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)

note

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

22.97 (2020 est.)

total subscriptions

304,728 (2020)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

145.2 (2020 est.)

total subscriptions

1,925,789 (2020)

Airports

total

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 (2017)

over 3,047 m

2

total

13

Airports - with unpaved runways

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

Heliports

1 (2012)

Merchant marine

by type

general cargo 2, oil tanker 4, other 62 (2021)

total

68

National air transport system

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

31,981 (2018)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

14

number of registered air carriers

3 (2020)

Pipelines

2360 km gas (2016)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

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

Railways

broad gauge

2,146 km 1.520-m and 1.524-m gauge (132 km electrified) (2016)

note

note: includes 1,510 km public and 636 km non-public railway

total

2,146 km (2016)

Roadways

paved

10,427 km (includes 115 km of expressways) (2011)

total

58,412 km (includes urban roads) (2011)

unpaved

47,985 km (2011)

Waterways

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

Military - note

Estonia officially became a member of NATO in 2004 since 2017, Estonia has hosted a multi-national NATO ground force battlegroup as part of the Alliance’s Enhanced Forward Presence initiative; the battlegroup is led by the UK and had about 800 troops on a continuous rotational basis as of 2021 NATO also has provided air protection for Estonia since 2004 through its Air Policing mission; NATO member countries that possess air combat capabilities voluntarily contribute to the mission on 4-month rotations; NATO fighter aircraft have been hosted at Estonia’s Ämari Air Base since 2014

Military and security forces

Estonian Defense Forces: Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, Estonian Defence League (Reserves); Ministry of Interior: Border Guards (2021)

Military and security service personnel strengths

the Estonian Defense Forces have approximately 6,500 active duty personnel (2021)

Military deployments

approximately 100 Mali (Operation Barkhane/MINUSMA/EUTM) (2021)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the Estonian Defense Forces have a limited inventory of Soviet-era and more recently acquired modern weapons systems, largely from western European countries (2021)

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2017

2.01% of GDP (2017)

Military Expenditures 2018

2.01% of GDP (2018)

Military Expenditures 2019

2.03% of GDP (2019)

Military Expenditures 2020

2.33% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

2.3% of GDP (2021 est.)

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 (2021)

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

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

stateless persons

73,214 (2020); 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

Air pollutants

carbon dioxide emissions

16.59 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions

0.99 megatons (2020 est.)

particulate matter emissions

6.74 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 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 to 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.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 14.9% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 7.2% (2018 est.)

forest

52.1% (2018 est.)

other

25.7% (2018 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

intermediate (2020)

vectorborne diseases

tickborne encephalitis

Revenue from coal

coal revenues

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from forest resources

forest revenues

0.85% of GDP (2018 est.)

Total renewable water resources

12.806 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Total water withdrawal

agricultural

4.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial

1.721 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

municipal

59.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

-0.03% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

69.4% of total population (2021)

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.)