Country Profile: Estonia

Estonia, located in Eastern Europe, is bordered by the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, nestled between Latvia and Russia. With a population of approximately 1.19 million, its society is a blend of ethnic Estonians and Russians, contributing to a vibrant cultural tapestry. The economy is service-based and predominantly high-income, with a recent focus on enhancing exports and private investment. Governed as a parliamentary republic, Estonia boasts a stable political environment with significant integration into Western European and NATO structures.

Geography

Estonia's geographic landscape features a maritime climate with flat, boggy terrain peppered with lowlands and numerous islands. The country encompasses an area of 45,228 sq km, with a coastline stretching 3,794 km. Estonia's rich natural resources include oil shale and peat, while approximately 57.1% of its land is forested. Its terrain presents both low and hilly areas, contributing to a diverse ecosystem.

1,520 islands located in the Baltic Sea
12 nm territorial sea
23.1% of land used for agriculture (2022)
2,840 sq km of water bodies
61 m average elevation

People and Society

Estonia's population is estimated at 1,193,791 as of 2024, with a median age of 45 years. The majority of citizens identify as Estonian (69.1%), followed by a significant Russian minority (23.7%). The population exhibits urbanization with approximately 69.8% living in urban areas, and a negative growth rate of -0.76% projected. The country also showcases a diverse religious landscape, with major representations of Orthodox (16.5%) and Protestant (9.2%) beliefs.

454,000 is the estimated population of Tallinn, the capital (2023)
22.6% of the population is aged 65 and over (2024)
78.4 years is the life expectancy at birth (2024)
8.2 births/1,000 population (2024)
69.1% of the population identifies as Estonian

Economy

Estonia's economy is characterized as a high-income, service-oriented system, with a GDP (PPP) of approximately $57 billion in 2024. The country's economic recovery is challenged by rising food costs and a decreasing labor force participation rate. Sector contributions to GDP are primarily from services (65.1%), followed by industry (20.5%) and agriculture (1.9%). The unemployment rate has risen to 7.9% in 2024, reflecting recent economic pressures.

$41,500 is the GDP per capita (2024)
-0.3% is the GDP growth rate projected for 2024
3.5% inflation rate estimated for 2024
$32.637 billion in exports projected for 2024
$42.765 billion GDP estimated at official exchange rate (2024)

Government

Estonia operates as a parliamentary republic with a legal framework based on a civil law system. The government is led by President Alar KARIS, with Prime Minister Kristen MICHAL appointed as the head of government. The Estonian Parliament, known as the Riigikogu, contains 101 members, elected through a proportional representation system. The country has established a robust set of laws and enjoys participation in various international organizations.

Total of 101 seats in Parliament
18 years is the legal voting age
6% of the national budget allocated to health (2022)
5 years residency required for naturalization
2% of GDP spent on military in 2021

Military and Security

The Estonian Defense Forces include land, navy, and air units, augmented by the Estonian Defense League, a voluntary defense organization. Military expenditures for 2024 are projected at 3.4% of GDP, reflecting a commitment to national and NATO defense initiatives. The country maintains close ties to international military partnerships, especially in light of regional security concerns, particularly regarding Russia.

7,500 active-duty personnel in the Defense Forces (2024)
15,000 members in the Defense League (2024)
Compulsory military service for males aged 18-27
4.607 million metric tonnes CO2 emissions (2023)
NATO member since 2004, hosting multinational forces

Energy

Estonia achieves 100% electricity access for its population. The country’s energy mix is primarily derived from fossil fuels (52.2%) and biomass, with significant imports and exports of electricity. Notably, Estonia is increasing its renewable energy capacity to promote sustainability while managing coal consumption and emissions.

8.636 billion kWh of electricity consumption (2023)
3.225 million kW of installed generating capacity (2023)
334.748 million cubic meters of natural gas consumed (2023)
800 metric tons of coal consumed (2023)
27,000 bbl/day petroleum refined consumption (2024)

Communications

Estonia's communications infrastructure is robust, with 93% of the population using the Internet as of 2023. The country has a significant number of mobile subscriptions, reflecting a high level of connectivity. Broadcasting services are well-developed, featuring multiple public and private channels.

2.05 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2023)
238,000 fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2023)
516,000 fixed broadband subscriptions (2023)
17 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants for fixed lines (2023)
Digital television services accessed by 85% of households

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	1,193,791 (2024 est.)	Estimated total population
Area	45,228 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$57 billion (2024 est.)	Real GDP in purchasing power parity
Unemployment Rate	7.9% (2024 est.)	Percentage of labor force seeking employment
Birth Rate	8.2 births/1,000	Estimated birth rate
Life Expectancy at Birth	78.4 years (2024 est.)	Average lifespan projected
Inflation Rate	3.5% (2024 est.)	Consumer price inflation
Military Expenditures	3.4% of GDP (2024 est.)	Percentage of GDP spent on military
Urban Population	69.8% (2023 est.)	Percentage of population living in urban areas
Electricity Access	100% (2022 est.)	Total population with electricity access