EE - Estonia (EST)

Europe :: Estonia
  • Introduction :: Estonia
  • 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 :: Estonia
  • 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: 133
    Area - comparative:
    about twice the size of New Jersey
    Area comparison map: Area comparison map
    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 :: Estonia
  • Population:
    1,244,288 (July 2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 157
    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: 16.3% (male 104,024 /female 98,757)
    15-24 years: 8.8% (male 56,755 /female 52,711)
    25-54 years: 41.07% (male 258,727 /female 252,304)
    55-64 years: 13.63% (male 76,895 /female 92,759)
    65 years and over: 20.2% (male 85,900 /female 165,456) (2018 est.)
    population pyramid: population pyramid
    Dependency ratios:
    total dependency ratio: 53.7 (2015 est.)
    youth dependency ratio: 24.8 (2015 est.)
    elderly dependency ratio: 28.9 (2015 est.)
    potential support ratio: 3.5 (2015 est.)
    Median age:
    total: 43 years
    male: 39.7 years
    female: 46.4 years (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 23
    Population growth rate:
    -0.6% (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 224
    Birth rate:
    9.9 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 193
    Death rate:
    12.7 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 14
    Net migration rate:
    -3.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 178
    Population distribution:
    a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations
    Urbanization:
    urban population: 68.9% of total population (2018)
    rate of urbanization: 0.01% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
    Major urban areas - population:
    437,000 TALLINN (capital) (2018)
    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: 1.03 male(s)/female
    55-64 years: 0.83 male(s)/female
    65 years and over: 0.52 male(s)/female
    total population: 0.88 male(s)/female (2018 est.)
    Mother's mean age at first birth:
    26.6 years (2014 est.)
    Maternal mortality rate:
    9 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 151
    Infant mortality rate:
    total: 3.8 deaths/1,000 live births
    male: 3.7 deaths/1,000 live births
    female: 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 192
    Life expectancy at birth:
    total population: 77 years
    male: 72.3 years
    female: 82 years (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 81
    Total fertility rate:
    1.6 children born/woman (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 182
    Health expenditures:
    6.4% of GDP (2014)
    country comparison to the world: 95
    Physicians density:
    3.47 physicians/1,000 population (2016)
    Hospital bed density:
    5 beds/1,000 population (2015)
    Drinking water source:
    improved: urban: 100% of population
    rural: 99% of population
    total: 99.6% of population
    unimproved: urban: 0% of population
    rural: 1% of population
    total: 0.4% of population (2015 est.)
    Sanitation facility access:
    improved: urban: 97.5% of population (2015 est.)
    rural: 96.6% of population (2015 est.)
    total: 97.2% of population (2015 est.)
    unimproved: urban: 2.5% of population (2015 est.)
    rural: 3.4% of population (2015 est.)
    total: 2.8% of population (2015 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
    0.7% (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 53
    HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
    5,700 (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 114
    HIV/AIDS - deaths:
    <100 (2017 est.)
    Major infectious diseases:
    degree of risk: intermediate (2016)
    vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis (2016)
    Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
    21.2% (2016)
    country comparison to the world: 92
    Education expenditures:
    5.2% of GDP (2015)
    country comparison to the world: 57
    Literacy:
    definition: age 15 and over can read and write (2015 est.)
    total population: 99.8%
    male: 99.8%
    female: 99.8% (2015 est.)
    School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
    total: 16 years
    male: 15 years
    female: 17 years (2016)
    Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
    total: 12.1%
    male: 13.9%
    female: 10% (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 113
  • Government :: Estonia
  • 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
    Administrative divisions:
    15 counties (maakonnad, singular - maakond); Harjumaa (Tallinn), Hiiumaa (Kardla), Ida-Virumaa (Johvi), Jarvamaa (Paide), Jogevamaa (Jogeva), Laanemaa (Haapsalu), Laane-Virumaa (Rakvere), Parnumaa (Parnu), Polvamaa (Polva), Raplamaa (Rapla), Saaremaa (Kuressaare), Tartumaa (Tartu), Valgamaa (Valga), Viljandimaa (Viljandi), Vorumaa (Voru)

    note: counties have the administrative center name following in parentheses

    Independence:
    20 August 1991 (declared); 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
    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 (2016)
    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:
    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
    highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of 19 justices, including the chief justice, and organized into civil, criminal, administrative, and constitutional review chambers)
    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 Elizabeth K. HORST
    embassy: Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn
    mailing address: use embassy street address
    telephone: [372] 668-8100
    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 :: Estonia
  • Economy - overview:

    Estonia, a member of the EU since 2004 and the euro zone since 2011, has a modern market-based economy and one of the higher per capita income levels in Central Europe and the Baltic region, 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 (purchasing power parity):
    $41.65 billion (2017 est.)
    $39.72 billion (2016 est.)
    $38.92 billion (2015 est.)

    note: data are in 2017 dollars

    country comparison to the world: 115
    GDP (official exchange rate):
    $25.97 billion (2017 est.)
    GDP - real growth rate:
    4.9% (2017 est.)
    2.1% (2016 est.)
    1.7% (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 52
    GDP - per capita (PPP):
    $31,700 (2017 est.)
    $30,200 (2016 est.)
    $29,600 (2015 est.)

    note: data are in 2017 dollars

    country comparison to the world: 64
    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 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.)
    GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
    agriculture: 2.8% (2017 est.)
    industry: 29.2% (2017 est.)
    services: 68.1% (2017 est.)
    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:
    670,200 (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 152
    Labor force - by occupation:
    agriculture: 2.7%
    industry: 20.5%
    services: 76.8% (2017 est.)
    Unemployment rate:
    5.8% (2017 est.)
    6.8% (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 88
    Population below poverty line:
    21.1% (2016 est.)
    Household income or consumption by percentage share:
    lowest 10%: 2.3%
    highest 10%: 25.6% (2015)
    Distribution of family income - Gini index:
    34.8 (2015)
    35.6 (2014)
    country comparison to the world: 100
    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
    Inflation rate (consumer prices):
    3.7% (2017 est.)
    0.8% (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 145
    Central bank discount rate:
    0% (31 December 2017 est.)
    0% (31 December 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 152
    Commercial bank prime lending rate:
    4.2% (31 December 2017 est.)
    4.23% (31 December 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 163
    Stock of narrow money:
    $14.78 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
    $11.8 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

    note: see entry for the European Union for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 18 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders

    country comparison to the world: 73
    Stock of broad money:
    $14.78 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
    $11.8 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 74
    Stock of domestic credit:
    $24.25 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
    $20.97 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 88
    Market value of publicly traded shares:
    $3.102 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
    $2.407 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
    $2.045 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 92
    Current account balance:
    $809 million (2017 est.)
    $443 million (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 54
    Exports:
    $13.44 billion (2017 est.)
    $12.36 billion (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 80
    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:
    $14.42 billion (2017 est.)
    $13.23 billion (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 91
    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
    Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
    $27.05 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
    $22.19 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 73
    Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
    $10.96 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
    $9.396 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 64
    Exchange rates:
    euros (EUR) per US dollar -
    0.92 (2017 est.)
    0.9 (2016 est.)
    0.9214 (2015 est.)
    0.885 (2014 est.)
    0.7634 (2013 est.)
  • Energy :: Estonia
  • Electricity access:
    electrification - total population: 100% (2016)
    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: 103
    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 (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 131
    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 :: Estonia
  • Telephones - fixed lines:
    total subscriptions: 362,117 (2017 est.)
    subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 29 (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 107
    Telephones - mobile cellular:
    total subscriptions: 1,904,425 (2017 est.)
    subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 152 (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 151
    Telephone system:
    general assessment: range of regulatory measures competition and foreign investment in the form of joint business ventures greatly improved telephone service with a wide range of high-quality voice, data, and Internet services available; one of the most advanced mobile markets in Europe; 5G trials for further growth commercially available by 2020; highest broadband penetration in Europe (2017)
    domestic: 29 per 100 for fixed-line and 152 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 introduced in 2005; 85% of Estonian households have broadband access (2017)
    international: country code - 372; fiber-optic cables to Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and Russia provide worldwide packet-switched service; 2 international switches are located in Tallinn (2016)
    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 (2016)
    Internet country code:
    .ee
    Internet users:
    total: 1,097,921 (July 2016 est.)
    percent of population: 87.2% (July 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 131
    Broadband - fixed subscriptions:
    total: 404,682 (2017 est.)
    subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 32 (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 87
  • Transportation :: Estonia
  • National air transport system:
    number of registered air carriers: 3 (2015)
    inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 14 (2015)
    annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 512,388 (2015)
    annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 870,362 mt-km (2015)
    Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:
    ES (2016)
    Airports:
    18 (2013)
    country comparison to the world: 140
    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: 66
    Waterways:
    335 km (320 km are navigable year-round) (2011)
    country comparison to the world: 90
    Merchant marine:
    total: 74
    by type: general cargo 8, oil tanker 6, other 60 (2018)
    country comparison to the world: 100
    Ports and terminals:
    major seaport(s): Kuivastu, Kunda, Muuga, Parnu Reid, Sillamae, Tallinn
  • Military and Security :: Estonia
  • Military expenditures:
    2.08% of GDP (2017)
    2.13% of GDP (2016)
    2.05% of GDP (2015)
    1.95% of GDP (2014)
    1.91% of GDP (2013)
    country comparison to the world: 48
    Military branches:
    Estonian Defense Forces (Eesti Kaitsevagi): Ground Forces (Maavagi), Navy (Merevagi), Air Force (Ohuvagi), Reserves (Kaitseliit) (2016)
    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 :: Estonia
  • 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: 80,314 (2017); 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