Estonia is a small country located in northeastern Europe. Despite its small geographical location, Estonia has an interesting and diverse demographic structure.
The population of Estonia is about 1.3 million people. This figure, of course, may seem small compared to many other countries, but do not forget that the population density in Estonia is relatively high.
An important factor influencing population size is demographic structure. In Estonia, the share of young people is approximately 15% of the total population. At the same time, the share of elderly people (over 65 years old) reaches almost 20%. These figures indicate that Estonia faces challenges in the areas of social security and health care.
Population statistics of Estonia
According to the latest population census conducted in 2019, Estonia has the following population by age group:
| Age group | Population |
|---|---|
| 0-14 years | 206 678 |
| 15-64 years old | 857 053 |
| 65 and older | 259 760 |
As can be seen from the table, the largest share of the population falls in the age group of 15-64 years, which suggests that the greatest activity of the population occurs in working age.
It is also worth noting that Estonia has a predominantly female population. According to the latest census, for every 100 women there are about 84 men.
Estonia has a fairly high literacy rate, which is a positive indicator of the country’s development. According to the latest data, about 99% of the Estonian population can read and write.
Thus, the population statistics of Estonia show some of the features and challenges that this country faces. Low birth rates and population outflows could potentially have an impact on the demographic situation and socio-economic development of the country.
Population
According to the latest census conducted in 2011, the total population of Estonia was about 1.3 million people. This indicates the country’s small population compared to other European countries.
A peculiarity of the demographic situation in Estonia is the tendency towards a decrease in the population. In recent decades, the country has been faced with low fertility and high mortality. This leads to a decrease in natural population growth and a negative migration balance.
One of the main factors influencing the population of Estonia is emigration. Many Estonians choose to live and work in other countries, which has an impact on the population decline.
At the same time, population growth is driven by immigration. Estonia attracts labor from other countries, in particular from Russia, Ukraine and Finland.
For reference: the demographic situation is regularly analyzed and updated by the official statistics bodies of Estonia.
Population growth trends
The population of Estonia is gradually increasing, but in recent decades there has been a slowdown in its growth. In the early 1990s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the country’s population declined as a result of mass emigration. However, since the 2000s, thanks to the improvement of the economic situation and the attractiveness of Estonia for visitors, the population began to gradually increase.
The key factors for the growth of the population of Estonia are factors such as population growth at the place of birth (natural increase) and migration growth. However, in recent years, natural population growth has decreased, which is associated with an increase in mortality and a decrease in the birth rate. This is due to an aging population and economic factors such as the high cost of raising children and a lack of social support for families with children.
The migration growth of the population of Estonia is influenced by both emigration and immigration. If in the past many Estonians left the country in search of a better life, now many of them are returning. In addition, Estonia attracts migrants from other countries, especially from nearby countries such as Russia and Finland.
Trends in population growth in Estonia largely determine the demographic situation in the country. Although the population continues to increase, the decline in natural increase and the increase in the number of elderly people cause certain demographic problems. To maintain stable and sustainable population growth, the country needs to take appropriate measures such as developing the economy, improving living conditions and promoting fertility.
Comparison with other Baltic countries
Population size:
Demographic composition:
In terms of demographic composition, all three Baltic countries are dominated by approximately the same ethnic group — the Balts. They make up about 60% of the population of Estonia and Latvia, and approximately 80% of the population of Lithuania. Also, each of these countries has a small proportion of Russian-speaking population, which varies depending on the specific region.
Level of economic development:
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have similar levels of economic development, but Estonia is a leader in building digital infrastructure and applying technology in all areas of life. Estonia is also a member of the Eurozone, which affects the economic stability and investment climate of the country.
Thus, although Estonia’s population is significantly smaller than its neighboring Baltic countries, there are similarities in demographic composition and level of economic development. Each of these countries has its own unique characteristics that make them interesting to study and compare.
Population distribution by region
Estonia has 15 administrative regions, each representing different aspects of culture and lifestyle. Here are the main regions of Estonia and their characteristics:
- Harju County: the largest region in Estonia, located in the north-west of the country. It includes the capital of Estonia, Tallinn. Harju County is known for its developed economic and infrastructural potential.
- Ida-Viru County: is located in the east of Estonia and borders the Russian Federation. This region has rich natural resources and developed industry. Cities such as Narva and Kohtla-Jarve are located here.
- Tartu County: located in the southern part of the country. Tartu County is the cultural and educational center of Estonia thanks to the presence of the University of Tartu and other educational institutions.
- Pärnu County: located in the southwest of the country and has beautiful beaches on the Baltic Sea coast. Pärnu County is a popular resort with many hotels and sanatoriums.
- Läänemaa: located in western Estonia and known for its picturesque natural scenery, including the island of Saaremaa. There are many rural settlements and small towns in this region.
Apart from the above regions, Estonia also has other regions such as Viljandi County, Jõgeva County, Jõglava County, Tartu County, etc. Each region has its own unique atmosphere and attractions, making Estonia an interesting country to explore and live in.
Demographic characteristics
Population size. According to the latest official data, the population of Estonia is about 1.3 million. In recent years, the population has remained at a relatively stable level, but there are some differences in dynamics between different regions of the country.
Natural growth. The natural increase rate is calculated as the difference between the number of births and the number of deaths. In recent years, Estonia has experienced negative natural growth, which is associated with low birth rates and high mortality rates. State programs to stimulate the birth rate are actively carried out in the country.
Migration balance. The migration balance is calculated as the difference between the number of arrivals and the number of departures. In recent years, Estonia has experienced a positive migration balance, which means that the number of arrivals exceeds the number of departures. This is due to the active policy of attracting foreign specialists and the high level of economic development of the country.
Age structure. The age structure of the population of Estonia differs from other European countries. There is a relatively large percentage of the population over the age of 65, which is associated with demographic changes and high life expectancy. There is also a decrease in the number of children and youth.
Population distribution by gender. In Estonia there are approximately equal numbers of men and women. However, there is a slight difference in the distribution of the population by gender in different age groups. For example, women predominate among older people, and men predominate among young people.
Average age of the population
Currently, the average age of the Estonian population is approximately XX years. This means that the country has a predominant elderly population. The reason for this low average age is the low birth rate and high death rate. This factor has a negative impact on the economic development of the country and creates problems for the pension system.
In this regard, the Estonian government is taking measures to increase the birth rate, including subsidies for families with children, programs to increase the availability of kindergartens and schools. Campaigns are also being conducted to attract young professionals from other countries to improve the demographic situation in the country.
However, changing the average age of the population is a long-term process that requires systemic changes in various spheres of society. To achieve sustainable demographic development, Estonia needs to pay attention not only to the birth rate, but also to living standards, healthcare, access to education and employment opportunities.
Thus, the average age of the population is an important indicator that reflects the demographic situation in Estonia. To ensure sustainable development of the country and solve the problems associated with a low average age, it is necessary to take targeted measures to increase the birth rate and create favorable conditions for the younger generation.
Lifespan
According to the latest data, life expectancy in Estonia is about 77 years for men and about 83 years for women. These figures are largely in line with the European Union average.
Over the past decades, life expectancy in Estonia has improved significantly. This is due to the development of medicine, improvement of living standards and social support of the population. However, differences in life expectancy between different regions of the country still exist.
Despite the positive dynamics, problems related to life expectancy in Estonia remain relevant. Low birth rates and high mortality rates are factors influencing the decline in life expectancy. Lifestyle, economic and social conditions, as well as the availability and quality of medical care also have an impact.
To improve the situation, various programs and activities are being carried out in Estonia to improve public health and control morbidity and mortality. Particular attention is paid to the prevention and timely detection of diseases, as well as the provision of quality medical care.
Life expectancy is an important indicator for assessing the demographic situation and the effectiveness of measures to improve public health. Therefore, efforts continue to reduce differences in life expectancy between different groups and regions of Estonia.
Fertility and mortality
In 2020, the number of newborns was 12,367, which is 2.9% less than the previous year. This is not the first year that the country’s birth rate has been declining. The decline in fertility is associated with various factors, including an increase in female employment, changing social stereotypes, financial difficulties and others.
The mortality rate in Estonia also remains high. There were 17,901 deaths in 2020, up 1.3% from the previous year. The leading cause of death is chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and respiratory diseases.
A decrease in the birth rate and an increase in mortality have a negative impact on the structure of the population of Estonia and lead to an aging population. To solve this problem, the country is implementing various programs and support measures aimed at reducing the socio-economic causes of low fertility and improving the quality of life of older people.
Fertility and mortality are important aspects of the demographic situation in Estonia, and studying them allows us to better understand and predict future changes in the country’s population.