Estonia :: Europe
Introduction
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.
Geography
Location:
Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia
Geographic coordinates:
59 00 N, 26 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total:
45,228 sq km
land:
42,388 sq km
water:
2,840 sq km
note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea
country comparison to the world: 132
Area - comparative:
about twice the size of New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total:
657 km
border countries (2):
Latvia 333 km, Russia 324 km
Coastline:
3,794 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
12
nm
exclusive economic zone:
limits as agreed to by Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Russia
Climate:
maritime; wet, moderate winters, cool summers
Terrain:
marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south
Elevation:
mean elevation:
61 m
lowest point:
Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point:
Suur Munamagi 318 m
Natural resources:
oil shale, peat, rare earth elements, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand, dolomite, arable land, sea mud
Land use:
agricultural land:
22.2%
(2011 est.)
arable land:
14.9%
(2011 est.)
/
permanent crops:
0.1%
(2011 est.)
/
permanent pasture:
7.2%
(2011 est.)
forest:
52.1%
(2011 est.)
other:
25.7%
(2011 est.)
Irrigated land:
40 sq km
(2012)
Population distribution:
a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations
Natural hazards:
sometimes flooding occurs in the spring
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-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
Geography - note:
the mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded; offshore lie more than 1,500 islands
People and Society
Population:
1,228,624
(July 2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Nationality:
noun:
Estonian(s)
adjective:
Estonian
Ethnic groups:
Estonian 68.7%, Russian 24.8%, Ukrainian 1.7%, Belarusian 1%, Finn 0.6%, other 1.6%, unspecified 1.6%
(2011 est.)
Languages:
Estonian (official) 68.5%, Russian 29.6%, Ukrainian 0.6%, other 1.2%, unspecified 0.1%
(2011 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.)
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.)
Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:
58.4
youth dependency ratio:
26.1
elderly dependency ratio:
32.3
potential support ratio:
3.1
(2020 est.)
Median age:
total:
43.7 years
male:
40.4 years
female:
47 years
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Population growth rate:
-0.65%
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 228
Birth rate:
9.3 births/1,000 population
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Death rate:
12.9 deaths/1,000 population
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Net migration rate:
-3.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Population distribution:
a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations
Urbanization:
urban population:
69.2% of total population
(2020)
rate of urbanization:
0.01% annual rate of change
(2015-20 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
445,000 TALLINN (capital)
(2020)
Sex ratio:
at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female
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
total population:
0.88 male(s)/female
(2020 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
27.4 years
(2017 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
9 deaths/100,000 live births
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
Infant mortality rate:
total:
3.7 deaths/1,000 live births
male:
3.6 deaths/1,000 live births
female:
3.8 deaths/1,000 live births
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
77.4 years
male:
72.7 years
female:
82.3 years
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Total fertility rate:
1.61 children born/woman
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Drinking water source:
improved:
urban:
100% of population
rural:
100% of population
total:
100% of population
unimproved:
urban:
0% of population
rural:
0% of population
total:
0% of population
(2017 est.)
Current Health Expenditure:
6.4%
(2017)
Physicians density:
3.46 physicians/1,000 population
(2017)
Hospital bed density:
4.7 beds/1,000 population
(2017)
Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban:
100% of population
rural:
100% of population
total:
100% of population
unimproved:
urban:
0% of population
rural:
0% of population
total:
0% of population
(2017 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.9%
(2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
7,400
(2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
<100
(2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk:
intermediate
(2020)
vectorborne diseases:
tickborne encephalitis
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
21.2%
(2016)
country comparison to the world: 92
Education expenditures:
5% of GDP
(2017)
country comparison to the world: 59
Literacy:
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write
total population:
99.8%
male:
99.8%
female:
99.8%
(2015)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:
15 years
male:
16 years
female:
17 years
(2018)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:
11.8%
male:
12.3%
female:
11.4%
(2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
Government
Country name:
conventional long form:
Republic of Estonia
conventional short form:
Estonia
local long form:
Eesti Vabariik
local short form:
Eesti
former:
Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic
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.
Government type:
parliamentary republic
Capital:
name:
Tallinn
geographic coordinates:
59 26 N, 24 43 E
time difference:
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:
+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
etymology: the Estonian name is generally believed to be derived from "Taani-linn" (originally meaning "Danish castle", now "Danish town") after a stronghold built in the area by the Danes; it could also have come from "tali-linn" ("winter castle" or "winter town") or "talu-linn" ("home castle" or "home town")
Administrative divisions:
15 urban municipalities (linnad, singular - linn), 64 rural municipalities (vallad, singular vald) ++ urban municipalities: Haapsalu, Keila, Kohtla-Jarve, Loksa, Maardu, Narva, Narva-Joesuu, Paide, Parnu, Rakvere, Sillamae, Tallinn, Tartu, Viljandi, Voru ++ rural municipalities: Alutaguse, Anija, Antsla, Elva, Haademeeste, Haljala, Harku, Hiiumaa, Jarva, Joelahtme, Jogeva, Johvi, Kadrina, Kambja, Kanepi, Kastre, Kehtna, Kihnu, Kiili, Kohila, Kose, Kuusalu, Laane-Harju, Laane-Nigula, Laaneranna, Luganuse, Luunja, Marjamaa, Muhu, Mulgi, Mustvee, Noo, Otepaa, Peipsiaare, Pohja-Parnumaa, Pohja-Sakala, Poltsamaa, Polva, Raasiku, Rae, Rakvere, 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
Independence:
24 February 1918 (from Soviet Russia); 20 August 1991 (declared from the Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)
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
Constitution:
history:
several previous; latest adopted 28 June 1992
amendments:
proposed by at least one-fifth of Parliament members or by the president of the republic; passage requires three readings of the proposed amendment and a simple majority vote in two successive memberships of Parliament; passage of amendments to the "General Provisions" and "Amendment of the Constitution" chapters requires at least three-fifths majority vote by Parliament to conduct a referendum and majority vote in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2015
Legal system:
civil law system
International law organization participation:
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
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
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal; age 16 for local elections
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Kersti KALJULAID (since 10 October 2016)
head of government:
Juri RATAS (since 23 November 2016)
cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament
elections/appointments:
president indirectly elected by Parliament for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); if a candidate does not secure two-thirds of the votes after 3 rounds of balloting, then an electoral college consisting of Parliament members and local council members elects the president, choosing between the 2 candidates with the highest number of votes; 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
election results:
Kersti KALJULAID elected president; Parliament vote - Kersti KALJULAID (independent) 81 of 98 votes; note - KALJULAID is Estonia's first female president
Legislative branch:
description:
unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)
elections:
last held on 3 March 2019 (next to be held in March 2023)
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 72, women 29, percent of women 28.7%
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
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]
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
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jonatan VSEVIOV (since 17 September 2018)
chancery:
2131 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
[1] (202) 588-0101
FAX:
[1] (202) 588-0108
consulate(s) general:
New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Brian RORAFF (since July 2019)
telephone:
[372] 668-8100
embassy:
Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn
mailing address:
use embassy street address
FAX:
[372] 668-8265
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
National symbol(s):
barn swallow, cornflower; national colors: blue, black, white
National anthem:
name:
"Mu isamaa, mu onn ja room" (My Native Land, My Pride and Joy)
lyrics/music:
Johann Voldemar JANNSEN/Fredrik PACIUS
note: adopted 1920, though banned between 1940 and 1990 under Soviet occupation; the anthem, used in Estonia since 1869, shares the same melody as Finland's but has different lyrics
Economy
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.
GDP real growth rate:
5%
(2019 est.)
4.36%
(2018 est.)
5.51%
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.2%
(2019 est.)
3.4%
(2018 est.)
3.4%
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
Credit ratings:
Fitch rating:
AA-
(2018)
Moody's rating:
A1
(2002)
Standard & Poors rating:
AA-
(2011)
GDP (purchasing power parity) - real:
$48.439 billion
(2019 est.)
$46.134 billion
(2018 est.)
$44.209 billion
(2017 est.)
note: data are in 2010 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$31.461 billion
(2019 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$20,897
(2019 est.)
$19,944
(2018 est.)
$19,162
(2017 est.)
note: data are in 2010 dollars
country comparison to the world: 71
Gross national saving:
27% of GDP
(2017 est.)
24.6% of GDP
(2016 est.)
25.8% of GDP
(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:
2.8%
(2017 est.)
industry:
29.2%
(2017 est.)
services:
68.1%
(2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:
50.3%
(2017 est.)
government consumption:
20.4%
(2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital:
24%
(2017 est.)
investment in inventories:
2.2%
(2017 est.)
exports of goods and services:
77.2%
(2017 est.)
imports of goods and services:
-74%
(2017 est.)
Ease of Doing Business Index scores:
80.6
(2020)
Agriculture - products:
grain, potatoes, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish
Industries:
food, engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textiles; information technology, telecommunications
Industrial production growth rate:
9.5%
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
Labor force:
648,000
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:
2.7%
industry:
20.5%
services:
76.8%
(2017 est.)
Unemployment rate:
4.94%
(2019 est.)
4.73%
(2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Population below poverty line:
21.1%
(2016 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:
2.3%
highest 10%:
25.6%
(2015)
Budget:
revenues:
10.37 billion
(2017 est.)
expenditures:
10.44 billion
(2017 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
39.9% (of GDP)
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-0.3% (of GDP)
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Public debt:
9% of GDP
(2017 est.)
9.4% of GDP
(2016 est.)
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
country comparison to the world: 199
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Current account balance:
$616 million
(2019 est.)
$280 million
(2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Exports:
$23.95 billion
(2019 est.)
$22.546 billion
(2018 est.)
$21.677 billion
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Exports - partners:
Finland 16.2%, Sweden 13.5%, Latvia 9.2%, Russia 7.3%, Germany 6.9%, Lithuania 5.9%
(2017)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and electrical equipment 30%, food products and beverages 9%, mineral fuels 6%, wood and wood products 14%, articles of base metals 7%, furniture and bedding 11%, vehicles and parts 3%, chemicals 4%
(2016 est.)
Imports:
$23.323 billion
(2019 est.)
$22.485 billion
(2018 est.)
$21.273 billion
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
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%, Germany 10.7%, Lithuania 8.9%, Sweden 8.5%, Latvia 8.2%, Poland 7.2%, Russia 6.7%, Netherlands 5.9%, China 4.7%
(2017)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$345 million
(31 December 2017 est.)
$352.2 million
(31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Debt - external:
$19.05 billion
(31 December 2016 est.)
$18.3 billion
(31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
0.82771
(2020 est.)
0.90338
(2019 est.)
0.87789
(2018 est.)
0.885
(2014 est.)
0.7634
(2013 est.)
Energy
Electricity access:
electrification - total population:
100%
(2020)
Electricity - production:
11.55 billion kWh
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Electricity - consumption:
8.795 billion kWh
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Electricity - exports:
5.613 billion kWh
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Electricity - imports:
3.577 billion kWh
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
2.578 million kW
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
72% of total installed capacity
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
0% of total installed capacity
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
28% of total installed capacity
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day
(2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day
(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl
(1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
28,300 bbl/day
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
Refined petroleum products - exports:
27,150 bbl/day
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Refined petroleum products - imports:
35,520 bbl/day
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Natural gas - consumption:
481.4 million cu m
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Natural gas - imports:
481.4 million cu m
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
5.306 million Mt
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines:
total subscriptions:
302,606
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
24.47
(2019 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Telephones - mobile cellular:
total subscriptions:
1,820,088
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
147.18
(2019 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Telecommunication systems:
general assessment:
a range of regulatory measures, competition and foreign investment in the form of joint business ventures has greatly improved telephone service with a wide range of high-quality voice, data, and Internet services; one of the most advanced mobile markets in Europe; one of the highest broadband penetration in Europe; govt. commits 20 million euro to rural broadband program; regulator auctions spectrum in the 2.6GHz band for LTE and 5G services
(2020)
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)
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: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated
Broadcast media:
the publicly owned broadcaster, Eesti Rahvusringhaaling (ERR), operates 3 TV channels and 5 radio networks; growing number of private commercial radio stations broadcasting nationally, regionally, and locally; fully transitioned to digital television in 2010; national private TV channels expanding service; a range of channels are aimed at Russian-speaking viewers; in 2016, there were 42 on-demand services available in Estonia, including 19 pay TVOD and SVOD services; roughly 85% of households accessed digital television services
Internet country code:
.ee
Internet users:
total:
1,111,896
percent of population:
89.36%
(July 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Broadband - fixed subscriptions:
total:
441,167
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
35
(2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Transportation
National air transport system:
number of registered air carriers:
3
(2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers:
14
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers:
31,981
(2018)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:
ES
(2016)
Airports:
18
(2013)
country comparison to the world: 138
Airports - with paved runways:
total:
13
(2017)
over 3,047 m:
2
(2017)
2,438 to 3,047 m:
8
(2017)
1,524 to 2,437 m:
2
(2017)
914 to 1,523 m:
1
(2017)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total:
5
(2013)
1,524 to 2,437 m:
1
(2013)
914 to 1,523 m:
1
(2013)
under 914 m:
3
(2013)
Heliports:
1
(2012)
Pipelines:
2360 km gas
(2016)
Railways:
total:
2,146 km
(2016)
broad gauge:
2,146 km
1.520-m and 1.524-m gauge (132 km electrified)
(2016)
note: includes 1,510 km public and 636 km non-public railway
country comparison to the world: 71
Roadways:
total:
58,412 km
(includes urban roads)
(2011)
paved:
10,427 km
(includes 115 km of expressways)
(2011)
unpaved:
47,985 km
(2011)
country comparison to the world: 79
Waterways:
335 km
(320 km are navigable year-round)
(2011)
country comparison to the world: 90
Merchant marine:
total:
69
by type:
general cargo 1, oil tanker 6, other 62
(2019)
country comparison to the world: 103
Ports and terminals:
major seaport(s):
Kuivastu, Kunda, Muuga, Parnu Reid, Sillamae, Tallinn
Military and Security
Military and security forces:
Estonian Defense Forces: Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, Estonian Defence League (Reserves); Ministry of Interior: Border Guards
(2019)
Military expenditures:
2.14% of GDP
(2019 est.)
2% of GDP
(2018)
2.03% of GDP
(2017)
2.07% of GDP
(2016)
2.02% of GDP
(2015)
country comparison to the world: 44
Military and security service personnel strengths:
the Estonian Defense Forces have approximately 6,000 active duty personnel (5,000 Army; 400 Navy; 500 Air Force); est. 15,000 Estonian Defense League
(2020 est.)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:
the Estonian Defense Forces have a limited inventory of Soviet-era and more modern Western weapons systems; France and the Netherlands are the leading suppliers of armaments to Estonia since 2010
(2019 est.)
Military deployments:
approximately 100 Mali (Operation Barkhane/MINUSMA/EUTM)
(2020)
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
(2016)
Transnational Issues
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
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
stateless persons:
75,599 (2019); 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
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
