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 - 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.
`

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 country comparison to the world: 132 land: 42,388 sq km water: 2,840 sq km note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea`
Area - comparative: |  |
`slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined`
Land boundaries: |  |
`total: 633 km border countries: Latvia 343 km, Russia 290 km`
Coastline: |  |
`3,794 km`
Maritime claims: |  |
`territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: limits fixed in coordination with neighboring states`
Climate: |  |
`maritime; wet, moderate winters, cool summers`
Terrain: |  |
`marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south`
Elevation extremes: |  |
`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: |  |
`arable land: 12.05% permanent crops: 0.35% other: 87.6% (2005)`
Irrigated land: |  |
`40 sq km (2003)`
Total renewable water resources: |  |
`21.1 cu km (2005)`
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic / industrial / agricultural): |  |
`total: 1.41 cu km/yr (56%/39%/5%) per capita: 1,060 cu m/yr (2002)`
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 amount of pollutants emitted to the air have fallen steadily, the emissions of 2000 were 80% less than in 1980; the amount of unpurified wastewater discharged to water bodies in 2000 was 1/20 the level of 1980; in connection with the start-up of new water purification plants, the pollution load of wastewater decreased; 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

Population: |  |
`1,282,963 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 154`
Age structure: |  |
`0-14 years: 15.1% (male 99,919/female 94,066) 15-64 years: 67.2% (male 410,132/female 451,736) 65 years and over: 17.7% (male 74,803/female 152,307) (2011 est.)`
Median age: |  |
`total: 40.5 years male: 37 years female: 43.9 years (2011 est.)`
Population growth rate: |  |
`-0.641% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 226`
Birth rate: |  |
`10.45 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 183`
Death rate: |  |
`13.55 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 20`
Net migration rate: |  |
`-3.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 179`
Urbanization: |  |
`urban population: 69% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)`
Major cities - population: |  |
`TALLINN (capital) 399,000 (2009)`
Sex ratio: |  |
`at birth: 1.063 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female total population: 0.84 male(s)/female (2011 est.)`
Infant mortality rate: |  |
`total: 7.06 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 166 male: 8.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)`
Life expectancy at birth: |  |
`total population: 73.33 years country comparison to the world: 118 male: 68.02 years female: 78.97 years (2011 est.)`
Total fertility rate: |  |
`1.44 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 194`
HIV / AIDS - adult prevalence rate: |  |
`1.2% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 40`
HIV / AIDS - people living with HIV / AIDS: |  |
`9,900 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 98`
HIV / AIDS - deaths: |  |
`fewer than 500 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 93`
Major infectious diseases: |  |
`degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne disease: tickborne encephalitis (2009)`
Drinking water source: |  |
`improved: urban: 99% of population rural: 97% of population total: 98% of population unimproved: urban: 1% of population rural: 3% of population total: 2% of population (2008)`
Sanitation facility access: |  |
`improved: urban: 96% of population rural: 94% of population total: 95% of population unimproved: urban: 4% of population rural: 6% of population total: 5% of population (2008)`
Nationality: |  |
`noun: Estonian(s) adjective: Estonian`
Ethnic groups: |  |
`Estonian 68.7%, Russian 25.6%, Ukrainian 2.1%, Belarusian 1.2%, Finn 0.8%, other 1.6% (2008 census)`
Religions: |  |
`Evangelical Lutheran 13.6%, Orthodox 12.8%, other Christian (including Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal) 1.4%, unaffiliated 34.1%, other and unspecified 32%, none 6.1% (2000 census)`
Languages: |  |
`Estonian (official) 67.3%, Russian 29.7%, other 2.3%, unknown 0.7% (2000 census)`
Literacy: |  |
`definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: 99.8% female: 99.8% (2000 census)`
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): |  |
`total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 17 years (2008)`
Education expenditures: |  |
`4.9% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 64`

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`
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: |  |
`adopted 28 June 1992`
Legal system: |  |
`civil law system`
International law organization participation: |  |
`accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction`
Suffrage: |  |
`18 years of age; universal for all Estonian citizens`
Executive branch: |  |

`
chief of state: President Toomas Hendrik ILVES (since 9 October 2006)
head of government: Prime Minister Andrus ANSIP (since 12 April 2005)
cabinet: Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament
(For more information visit theWorld Leaders website )
elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); if a candidate does not secure two-thirds of the votes after three rounds of balloting in the Parliament, then an electoral assembly (made up of Parliament plus members of local councils) elects the president, choosing between the two candidates with the largest number of votes; election last held on 23 September 2006 (next to be held in the fall of 2011); prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament
election results: Toomas Hendrik ILVES elected president on 23 September 2006 by a 345-member electoral assembly; ILVES received 174 votes to incumbent Arnold RUUTEL's 162; remaining 9 ballots left blank or invalid
`

Legislative branch: |  |

`
unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 6 March 2011 (next to be held in March 2015)
election results: percent of vote by party - Estonian Reform Party 28.6%, Center Party of Estonia 23.3%, Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica 20.5%, Social Democratic Party 17.1%, Estonian Greens 3.8%, Estonian People's Union 2.1%, other 4.6%; seats by party - Estonian Reform Party 33, Center Party 26, Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica 23, Social Democratic Party 19
`

Judicial branch: |  |
`Supreme Court (chairman appointed for life by Parliament)`
Political parties and leaders: |  |
`Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) [Edgar SAVISAAR]; Estonian Greens (Rohelised) [Marek STRANDBERG]; Estonian People's Union (Rahvaliit) [Andrus BLOK]; Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) [Andrus ANSIP]; Social Democratic Party [Sven MIKSER]; Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica (Isamaa je Res Publica Liit) [Mart LAAR]`
International organization participation: |  |
`Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, 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 Vaino REINART 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 Michael C. POLT 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 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 with that of Finland but has different lyrics`

Economy

Economy - overview: |  |

`
Estonia, a 2004 European Union entrant, has a modern market-based economy and one of the higher per capita income levels in Central Europe and the Baltic region. Estonia's successive governments have pursued a free market, pro-business economic agenda and have wavered little in their commitment to pro-market reforms. The current government has followed relatively sound fiscal policies that have resulted in balanced budgets and very low public debt. The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors and strong trade ties with Finland, Sweden, and Germany. Tallinn's priority has been to sustain high growth rates - on average 8% per year from 2003 to 2007. Estonia's economy slowed down markedly and fell sharply into recession in mid-2008, primarily as a result of an investment and consumption slump following the bursting of the real estate market bubble. GDP dropped nearly 14% in 2009, among the world's highest rates of contraction. Rising exports to Sweden and Finland lead an economic recovery in 2010, but unemployment stands above 17%. Estonia joined the OECD in December 2010 and adopted the euro in January 2011.
`

GDP (purchasing power parity): |  |
`$24.69 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 $23.95 billion (2009 est.) $27.81 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP (official exchange rate): |  |
`$19.78 billion (2010 est.)`
GDP - real growth rate: |  |
`3.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 -13.9% (2009 est.) -5.1% (2008 est.)`
GDP - per capita (PPP): |  |
`$19,100 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $18,400 (2009 est.) $21,300 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP - composition by sector: |  |
`agriculture: 2.5% industry: 28.7% services: 68.8% (2010 est.)`
Labor force: |  |
`688,000 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150`
Labor force - by occupation: |  |
`agriculture: 2.8% industry: 22.7% services: 74.5% (2008)`
Unemployment rate: |  |
`17.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 13.8% (2009 est.)`
Population below poverty line: |  |
`19.7% (2008)`
Household income or consumption by percentage share: |  |
`lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 27.7% (2004)`
Distribution of family income - Gini index: |  |
`31.4 (2009) country comparison to the world: 105 37 (1999)`
Investment (gross fixed): |  |
`22.5% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63`
Budget: |  |
`revenues: $7.851 billion expenditures: $8.21 billion (2010 est.)`
Public debt: |  |
`7.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 7.1% of GDP (2009 est.)`
Inflation rate (consumer prices): |  |
`2.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 0.2% (2009)`
Commercial bank prime lending rate: |  |
`9.39% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 8.55% (31 December 2008 est.)`
Stock of narrow money: |  |

`
$5.345 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
$5.822 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
note: this figure represents the US dollar value of Estonian kroon in circulation prior to Estonia's joining the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 17 members of the EMU; individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders
`

Stock of broad money: |  |
`$10.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 $11.37 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of domestic credit: |  |
`$18.94 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 $20.32 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Market value of publicly traded shares: |  |
`$2.654 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 98 $1.95 billion (31 December 2008) $6.037 billion (31 December 2007)`
Agriculture - products: |  |
`grain, potatoes, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish`
Industries: |  |
`engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textiles; information technology, telecommunications`
Industrial production growth rate: |  |
`10% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 20`
Electricity - production: |  |
`8.779 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 95`
Electricity - consumption: |  |
`7.08 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 98`
Electricity - exports: |  |
`2.943 billion kWh (2009 est.)`
Electricity - imports: |  |
`3.025 billion kWh (2009 est.)`
Oil - production: |  |
`7,600 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 88`
Oil - consumption: |  |
`30,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 112`
Oil - exports: |  |
`7,280 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 96`
Oil - imports: |  |
`30,590 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 98`
Oil - proved reserves: |  |
`0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 126`
Natural gas - production: |  |
`0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 121`
Natural gas - consumption: |  |
`1.02 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 89`
Natural gas - exports: |  |
`0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 89`
Natural gas - imports: |  |
`1.02 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 55`
Natural gas - proved reserves: |  |
`0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130`
Current account balance: |  |
`$265 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 $898.7 million (2009 est.)`
Exports: |  |
`$11.5 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 $9.05 billion (2009)`
Exports - commodities: |  |
`machinery and electrical equipment 21%, wood and wood products 9%, metals 9%, furniture 7%, vehicles and parts 5%, food products and beverages 4%, textiles 4%, plastics 3%`
Exports - partners: |  |
`Finland 18.57%, Sweden 12.52%, Latvia 9.51%, Russia 9.33%, Germany 6.09%, Lithuania 4.76%, US 4.26% (2009)`
Imports: |  |
`$12.17 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 $10.16 billion (2009)`
Imports - commodities: |  |
`machinery and electrical equipment 22%, mineral fuels 18%, chemical products 3%, foodstuffs 6%, plastics 6%, textiles 5%`
Imports - partners: |  |
`Finland 14.52%, Lithuania 10.84%, Latvia 10.47%, Germany 10.33%, Russia 8.59%, Sweden 8.34%, Poland 5.63% (2009)`
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: |  |
`$3.641 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 $3.981 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Debt - external: |  |
`$25.13 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $25.56 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: |  |
`$17.53 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $16.23 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: |  |
`$7.134 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $6.534 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Exchange rates: |  |
`kroon (EEK) per US dollar - 11.8 (2010) 11.23 (2009) 10.7 (2008) 11.535 (2007) 12.473 (2006)`

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: |  |
`492,800 (2009) country comparison to the world: 99`
Telephones - mobile cellular: |  |
`2.72 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 117`
Telephone system: |  |

`
general assessment: 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
domestic: 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 was used for the first time in the 2005 local elections
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 (2008)
`

Broadcast media: |  |

`
the publicly-owned broadcaster, Eesti Rahvusringhaaling (ERR), operates 2 television channels; national private TV channels expanding service; a range of channels are aimed at Russian-speaking viewers; high penetration rate for cable TV services with more than half of Estonian households connected; publicly-owned broadcaster, ERR, operates 4 radio networks and there are a growing number of private commercial radio stations broadcasting nationally, regionally, and locally (2008)
`

Internet country code: |  |
`.ee`
Internet hosts: |  |
`729,534 (2010) country comparison to the world: 48`
Internet users: |  |
`971,700 (2009) country comparison to the world: 102`

Transportation

Airports: |  |
`19 (2010) country comparison to the world: 137`
Airports - with paved runways: |  |
`total: 13 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2010)`
Airports - with unpaved runways: |  |
`total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2010)`
Heliports: |  |
`1 (2010)`
Pipelines: |  |
`gas 859 km (2010)`
Railways: |  |
`total: 1,196 km country comparison to the world: 84 broad gauge: 1,196 km 1.520-m and 1.524-m gauge (131 km electrified) (2010)`
Roadways: |  |
`total: 58,034 km country comparison to the world: 76 paved: 34,936 km (includes 104 km of expressways) unpaved: 23,098 km (2009)`
Waterways: |  |
`335 km (320 km are navigable year round) (2010) country comparison to the world: 91`
Merchant marine: |  |

`
total: 24
country comparison to the world: 95
by type: cargo 4, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 17, petroleum tanker 2
foreign-owned: 3 (Germany 1, Norway 2)
registered in other countries: 77 (Antigua and Barbuda 20, Belize 1, Cambodia 1, Cyprus 7, Dominica 6, Finland 2, Latvia 4, Malta 16, former Netherlands Antilles 1, Norway 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10, Sierra Leone 1, Sweden 3, Venezuela 1) (2010)
`

Ports and terminals: |  |
`Kuivastu, Kunda, Muuga, Parnu Reid, Sillamae, Tallinn`

Military

Military branches: |  |
`Estonian Defense Forces: Land Force, Navy, Air Force (Eesti Ohuvagi), Defense League (Kaitseliit, KL) (2011)`
Military service age and obligation: |  |
`obligation for compulsory service ages 16-60, with conscription "likely" ages 18-27; service requirement 8-11 months (2009)`
Manpower available for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 291,801 females age 16-49: 302,696 (2010 est.)`
Manpower fit for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 210,854 females age 16-49: 251,185 (2010 est.)`
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: |  |
`male: 6,668 female: 6,309 (2010 est.)`
Military expenditures: |  |
`2% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 70`

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: |  |

`
Russia recalled its signature to the 1996 technical border agreement with Estonia in 2005, rather than concede to Estonia's appending a prepared unilateral declaration referencing Soviet occupation and territorial losses; Russia demands better accommodation of Russian-speaking population in Estonia; Estonian citizen groups continue to press for realignment of the boundary based on the 1920 Tartu Peace Treaty that would bring the now divided ethnic Setu people and parts of the Narva region within Estonia; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Estonia must implement the strict Schengen border rules with Russia
`

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`

PAGE LAST UPDATED ON MAY 26, 2011