2022 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

20 sq km (2016)

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.)

Alcohol consumption per capita

beer

4 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

1.13 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

4.6 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total

11.65 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

1.92 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Birth rate

8.75 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

0.4% (2013/15)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

NA

Current health expenditure

6.7% of GDP (2019)

Death rate

13.1 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

32.3

potential support ratio

3.1 (2021 est.)

total dependency ratio

58.3

youth dependency ratio

26.1

Drinking water source

improved: rural

rural: NA

improved: total

total: 99.6% of population

improved: urban

urban: 100% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: NA

unimproved: total

total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0% of population

Education expenditures

6.6% of GDP (2020 est.)

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

NA

Hospital bed density

4.6 beds/1,000 population (2018)

Infant mortality rate

female

3.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)

male

3.29 deaths/1,000 live births

total

3.42 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

82.73 years (2022 est.)

male

73.25 years

total population

77.88 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

454,000 TALLINN (capital) (2023)

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 (2020 est.)

Nationality

adjective

Estonian

noun

Estonian(s)

Net migration rate

-2.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

21.2% (2016)

Physicians density

3.47 physicians/1,000 population (2019)

Population

1,211,524 (2022 est.)

Population distribution

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

Population growth rate

-0.71% (2022 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: 99.8% of population

improved: urban

urban: 99.8% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 0% of population

unimproved: total

total: 0.2% of population (2020 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0.2% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

17 years (2020)

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

1.05 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.85 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.42 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.89 male(s)/female (2022 est.)

Tobacco use

female

23% (2020 est.)

male

36.3% (2020 est.)

total

29.7% (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.61 children born/woman (2022 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

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

urban population

69.8% of total population (2023)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

female

15% (2021 est.)

male

18.4%

total

16.7%

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

2021: Alar KARIS elected president; parliamentary vote Alar KARIS (independent) 72 of 101 votes;  KALLAS is Estonia's first female prime minister2016: Kersti KALJULAID is indirectly elected president with 81 of 98 votes in parliament (17 ballots blank). She is sworn in on October 10 as the first female head of state of Estonia.

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); 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, 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 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 heritage

selected World Heritage Site locales

Historic Center (Old Town) of Tallinn; Struve Geodetic Arc

total World Heritage Sites

2 (both cultural)

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 [Martin HELME]Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) or RE [Kaja KALLAS]Pro Patria (Isamaa) [Helir-Valdor SEEDER]Social Democratic Party or SDE [Lauri LAANEMETS]

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)

note

note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

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

Exports 2019

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

Exports 2020

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

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

Imports 2019

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

Imports 2020

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

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 2017 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2018

$46.54 billion (2018 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2019

$48.87 billion (2019 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2020

$47.44 billion (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 2017 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2018

$35,200 (2018 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2019

$36,800 (2019 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2020

$35,600 (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.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

female

15% (2021 est.)

male

18.4%

total

16.7%

Carbon dioxide emissions

from coal and metallurgical coke

44,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas

901,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

3.979 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

total emissions

4.924 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

Coal

consumption

3,000 metric tons (2020 est.)

exports

0 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports

3,000 metric tons (2020 est.)

production

0 metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves

0 metric tons (2019 est.)

Electricity

consumption

9.172 billion kWh (2020 est.)

exports

3.722 billion kWh (2020 est.)

imports

7.367 billion kWh (2020 est.)

installed generating capacity

3.03 million kW (2020 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

375 million kWh (2020 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population

100% (2020)

Electricity generation sources

biomass and waste

27.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

fossil fuels

55.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

geothermal

0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity

0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

nuclear

0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

solar

2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

tide and wave

0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

wind

14.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2019

76.329 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Natural gas

consumption

417.106 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

exports

0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

imports

417.276 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

production

0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

proven reserves

0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

Petroleum

crude oil and lease condensate exports

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate imports

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves

0 barrels (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption

27,500 bbl/day (2019 est.)

total petroleum production

21,800 bbl/day (2021 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 (2020 est.)

total

415,610 (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

percent of population

96.1% (July 2022 est.)

total

1,276,521 (July 2022 est.)

Telecommunication systems

domestic

just under 23 per 100 for fixed-line subscribership and approximately 145 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 (2020)

general assessment

the competitive telecom market continues to progress with a range of regulatory measures which have enabled alternative operators to chip away at the fixed-line market share; fixed-line infrastructure upgrades have been focused on fiber, and the legacy DSL network has gradually been replaced; limited commercial 5G deployments have been made though an expansion of service availability awaits the delayed auction of spectrum in the 3.5GHz band, which is expected to be held later in 2021 (2021)

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 a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

23 (2020 est.)

total subscriptions

304,728 (2020 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

145 (2020 est.)

total subscriptions

1,925,789 (2020 est.)

Airports

total

18 (2021)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

2,438 to 3,047 m

8

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2021)

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 (2021)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

ES

Heliports

1 (2021)

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

2,360 km gas (2016)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

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

Railways

broad gauge

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

note

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

total

2,146 km (2016)

Roadways

paved

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

total

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

unpaved

47,985 km (2011)

Transportation - note

Estonia operates two PC 5 or 6 class icebreakers in the Baltic Seanote - PC indicates a Polar Class vessel: PC 5 - year-round operation in medium first-year ice which may include old ice inclusions (ice thickness up to 70-120 cm); PC 6 - summer/autumn operation in medium first-year ice which may include old ice inclusions (ice thickness up to 30-70 cm)

Waterways

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

Military - note

Estonia became a member of NATO in 2004since 2017, Estonia has hosted a UK-led multi-national NATO ground force battlegroup as part of the Alliance’s Enhanced Forward Presence initiative; NATO 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 (2022)

Military and security forces

Estonian Defense Forces: Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, Estonian Defense League (Reserves) (2022)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 7,000 active duty personnel; approximately 15,000 Defense League (2022)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the Estonian military has a limited inventory of Soviet-era and some more recently acquired modern weapons systems, largely from western European countries, particularly France and the Netherlands (2021)

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2018

2% of GDP (2018) (approximately $800 million)

Military Expenditures 2019

2% of GDP (2019) (approximately $850 million)

Military Expenditures 2020

2.4% of GDP (2020)

Military Expenditures 2021

2.2% of GDP (2021)

Military Expenditures 2022

2.35% of GDP (2022 est.)

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 (2022)

note

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, which does not have conscripts; after conscript service, reservists are called up for training every 5 years; Estonia has had conscription since 1991note 2: 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; a total of approximately 230,000 Estonians are enrolled in the mobilization registrynote 3: in 2020, women comprised about 10% of the full-time professional military force

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

refugees (country of origin)

64,593 (Ukraine) (as of 20 December 2022)

stateless persons

71,873 (mid-year 2021); 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 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.)

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

69.8% of total population (2023)

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.)