Demographics of Estonia explained

Place:	Estonia
Birth:	8.63 births/1,000 population (2022)
Size Of Population:	1,374,687 (2024)
Death:	12.84 deaths/1,000 population (2022)
Life:	79.0 years (2023)
Infant Mortality:	2.20 deaths/1,000 live births
Nation:	Estonian
Major Ethnic:	Estonians (67.8%)
Minor Ethnic:	Russians (22.0%)
Official:	Estonian
Spoken:	Estonian, Russian, English
Age 0–14 Years:	16.35%
Age 65 Years:	20.43%
Growth:	+2.6% (2022)
Net Migration:	+5.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021)
Sr Under 15:	1.05 male(s)/female
Sr 65 Years Over:	0.54 male(s)/female
Total Mf Ratio:	0.91 male(s)/female (2021 census)
Life Male:	74.5 years
Life Female:	83.1 years
Fertility:	1.31 children born/woman (2023)
Age 15-64 Years:	63.22%

The demographics of Estonia in the 21st century result from historical trends over more than a thousand years, as with most European countries, but have been disproportionately influenced by events in the second half of the 20th century. The Soviet occupation (1944–1991), extensive immigration from Russia and other parts of the former USSR, and the eventual restoration of independence of Estonia, have all had a major effect on Estonia's current ethnic makeup.

Languages spoken in Estonia largely reflect the composition of the indigenous and immigrant ethnic groups residing in Estonia, and thus have changed with historical trends affecting the ethnic makeup of the country. Similarly to other northern European peoples, religion plays a rather small part in the lives of most Estonians.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Overall, the quality-of-life indices for Estonia indicate a modern industrial state. The population declined annually from 1991 until 2016, except for a brief pause in 2010. Since 2016 immigration has exceeded emigration, making the overall population grow.^[4]

Population

According to the data of Statistics Estonia, on 1 January 2024, the population of Estonia was 1,374,687 persons.^[5] On 1 January 2023, the population was 1,365,884.^[6]

The population increased from 1,351,640 in January 1970 to 1,570,599 in January 1990. After 1990, Estonia lost about 15% of its population (230,000 people). The population decreased to 1,294,455 by December 2011, a figure lower than that recorded in 1970.

• 1,331,824 (2021 Population and Housing Census) ^[7]
• 1,294,455 (2011 Population Count and Housing Census) ^[8]
• 1,370,052 (2000 Population Count and Housing Census) ^[9]

Decreasing population pressures are explained by a higher death than birth rate and periods of an excess of emigrants over immigrants.

Since 2015 the country has experienced population growth.^[10] The population mainly increased as a result of net immigration of European Union citizens.^[11] Citizens of Russia and Ukraine made up the bulk of non-EU immigration.^[12] The increase was detected through methodological changes in data collection. Initially a population decrease had been reported.^[13]

Age structure

Between 1970 and 1990 the age structure of Estonia was rather stable with around 22% of the population in the age group 0–14 years, 66% between 15 and 65, while 12% were 65 years or older. Due to the low birth rates after 1990, the proportion of the population 0–14 years of age dropped to 15% in 2009, while the proportion of 65 years or older gradually increased to 17% in 2009. The proportion of the age group 15–64 also slightly increased to 68% in 2009.

Births and deaths

From 1947 to 1989 the number of births was higher than the number of deaths, but from 1990 onwards the number of deaths outnumbered the number of births. The crude birth rate of 2011 was 10.96 (14,679 births) and the crude death rate of 2011 was 11.38 (15,244 deaths), making the rate of natural increase −0.42 (−565). For more detailed historic data, see the table of birth and death rates below.

Total fertility rate

Between 1970 and 1990, the total fertility rate (TFR) was little over 2 children born per woman.^[14] A fast decrease of the TFR occurred after independence. In 1998 the lowest rate was recorded: 1.28 children born per woman. The TFR slightly recovered in the subsequent years. The TFR was 1.66 in 2008 and 1.52 in 2011.

Infant mortality rate

The infant mortality rate in Estonia has decreased considerably during the past decades. In 1970 the rate was 17.7 per 1,000 live births.^[14] The rate decreased to 17.1 in 1980, 12.3 in 1990 and 8.4 in 2000. The lowest infant mortality rate was recorded in 2011: 2.6.

Life expectancy at birth

Life expectancy in Estonia is lower than in most Western European countries. During the Soviet era life expectancy in males was between 64 and 66 years and in females between 73 and 75 years.^[14] After the independence, life expectancy decreased for a number of years. In 1994, the lowest life expectancy was recorded: 60.5 years in males and 72.8 in females. After 1994, life expectancy gradually increased to reach 68.3 years in males and 79.2 in females in 2012.^[15]

Period	Life expectancy in Years^[16]
1950–1955	61.77
1955–1960	66.92
1960–1965	69.38
1965–1970	70.31
1970–1975	70.27
1975–1980	69.43
1980–1985	69.32
1985–1990	70.34
1990–1995	68.50
1995–2000	69.42
2000–2005	71.59
2005–2010	73.77
2010–2015	76.76
2020	78.80
2023^[17]	79.00

By data from Statistics Estonia life expectancy at birth in both 2019 and 2020 was 74.4 years for males and 82.8 years for females, on average for all 78,8 years.^[18] Life expectancy has increased during last years for both sexes, men are expected to live disability-free for 54.1 years and women for 57.6 years. Males live 72.7 percent of their life in good health and females 70 percent.^[19]

For comparison, in 2018 the average life expectancy for men in Europe was 78.3 years and for women 83.6 years.^[20]

Immigration

As the cumulative negative natural growth was about 82,000 during 1991–2010, the remainder of the population decline of Estonia since 1990 (230,000 people in total) was caused by emigration (150,000 people or about 10% of the population of Estonia in 1990). Mainly ethnic Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians emigrated. Consequently, the proportion of these ethnic groups decreased as can be seen in the results of the 2000 census (see below). Data from 2000 to 2009 also shows that the number of emigrants is larger than the number of immigrants, but on a much lower lever than in the 1990s.

Estonia migration data, 2014-present

Year	Immigration	Emigration	Net Migration
2014	3,904	4,637	-733
2015	15,413	13,003	2,410
2016	14,822	13,792	1,030
2017	17,616	12,358	5,258
2018	17,547	10,476	7,071
2019	18,172	12,801	5,371
2020	16,209	12,427	3,782
2021	19,524	12,481	7,043
2022	49,414	9,657	39,757
2023	26,399	12,543	13,856

Country of birth! colspan="2"

2000^[21]	2011		2021
Number	%	Number	%	Number	%
	184,795		134,948		110,161
Ukraine	25,185		21,156		28,621
Belarus	14,883		11,593		10,326
Latvia	4,326		3,859		6,375
Finland	1,381		2,173		6,130
Kazakhstan	3,841		3,710		3,802
Germany	978		1,240		2,536
Lithuania	2,101		1,816		2,014
Azerbaijan	1,449		1,450		1,828
Georgia	1,586		1,449		1,794
Other countries	16,497		8,969		27,678
Foreign-born total	257,022		192,363		201,265
Estonia	1,113,030		1,102,092		1,130,559
Population total	1,370,052		1,294,455		1,331,824

There were a total of 201,265 foreign-born people in Estonia at 31 December 2021, representing 15% of the population. 55% of them were born in Russia, and a total of 82% in a Post-Soviet countries.

In 2022, according to the data on registered migration (from the Population Register), 49,414 persons immigrated to Estonia and 9,657 persons emigrated from Estonia. Net migration was positive, 39,757 persons more staying than leaving Estonia. Both registered immigration and net migration were several times bigger than the average of recent years, due to the arrival of war refugees from Ukraine. Based on citizenship, the largest number of immigrants settling in Estonia had Ukrainian citizenship (33,217).^[22]

In 2021, the population of Estonia decreased by 5,315 persons due to negative natural increase and increased by 7,043 persons as a result of positive net migration – 19,524 persons immigrated to Estonia and 12,481 persons emigrated from Estonia (In 2020: 16,209 persons immigrated and 12,427 persons emigrated). The destination countries for migration were Finland, Ukraine and Russia in both directions.

Ethnic groups

See also: Estonian Swedes, Baltic Germans, Russians in Estonia, Ukrainians in Estonia, Armenians in Estonia, Võros and Setos.

Population of Estonia by ethnic nationalities 2021-2024 ^[23]

Ethnic group	2021		2022		2023		2024
	Number	%	Number	%	Number	%	Number	%
align=left	Estonians	914,896		919,693		925,892		931,993
align=left	Russians	322,700		315,242		306,801		296,268
align=left	Ukrainians	27,254		27,826		55,675		68,770
align=left	Belarusians	11,485		11,605		11,562		11,402
align=left	Finns	8,479		8,543		8,518		8,344
align=left	Latvians	3,572		3,827		4,094		4,232
align=left	Germans	2,570		2,701		2,900		2,923
align=left	Lithuanians	2,057		2,097		2,146		2,146
align=left	Tatars	1,937		1,938		1,984		2,022
align=left	Jews	1,898		1,852		1,939		2,013
align=left	Poles	1,745		1,845		1,915		1,882
align=left	Armenians	1,599		1,666		1,755		1,804
align=left	Azerbaijanis	1,408		1,546		1,688		1,775
align=left	Other ethnic nationalities	85,333		90,149		122,413		137,746
align=left	Ethnic nationality unknown	7,139		6,712		10,778		8,680
align=left	Total	1,330,068		1,331,796		1,365,884		1,374,687

Today, Estonia is an ethnically fairly diverse country, ranking 97th out of 239 countries and territories in 2001 study by Kok Kheng Yeoh.^[24] In 2008, thirteen of Estonia's fifteen counties were over 80% ethnic Estonian. The counties with the highest percentage Estonians are Hiiu County (98.4%) and Saare County (98.3%). However, in Harju County (which includes the national capital, Tallinn) and Ida-Viru County, ethnic Estonians make up only 59.6% (55.0% in Tallinn) and 19.7% of the population, respectively. In those two counties, Russians account for 32.4% (36.4% in Tallinn) and 71.2% of the population, respectively. In the nation as a whole, Russians make up 23% of the total population.^[25]

After gaining independence following World War I a population census was held in 1922 and 1934. At that time Estonians were still the predominant ethnic group, while all others constituted 12% of the population of Estonia.

Major Jewish communities were present in Estonia between 1918 and 1940 in Tallinn, Pärnu, Kilingi-Nõmme, Narva, Tartu, Valga, and Võru.^[26]

Population of Estonia by ethnic group 1897–2021

Ethnic group	census 1897^[27]		census 1922^1		census 1934^1		census 1959^2		census 1970^3		census 1979^4		census 1989^5		census 2000^6		census 2011^[28]		census 2021^[29]
	Number	%	Number	%	Number	%	Number	%	Number	%	Number	%	Number	%	Number	%	Number	%	Number	%
align=left	Estonians	867,794	90.6	969,976	87.6	992,520	88.1	892,653	74.6	925,157	68.2	947,812	64.7	963,281	61.5	930,219	67.9	902,547	69.7	919,711	69.1
align=left	Russians	37,599	3.9	91,109	8.2	92,656	8.2	240,227	20.1	334,620	24.7	408,778	27.9	474,834	30.3	351,178	25.6	326,235	25.2	315,252	23.6
align=left	Ukrainians	504	0.1	—	92	0.0	15,769	1.3	28,086	2.1	36,044	2.5	48,271	3.1	29,012	2.1	22,573	1.7	27,828	2.1
align=left	Belarusians	272	0.0	—	—	10,930	0.9	18,732	1.4	23,461	1.6	27,711	1.8	17,241	1.3	12,579	1.0	11,606	0.9
align=left	Finns	362	0.0	401	0.0	1,088	0.1	16,699	1.4	18,537	1.4	17,753	1.2	16,622	1.1	11,837	0.9	7,589	0.6	8,543	0.6
align=left	Latvians	5,470	0.6	1,966	0.2	5,435	0.5	2,888	0.2	3,286	0.2	3,963	0.3	3,135	0.2	2,330	0.2	1,764	0.1	3,827	0.3
align=left	Germans	33,362	3.5	18,319	1.7	16,346	1.5	670	0.1	7,850	0.6	3,944	0.3	3,466	0.2	1,870	0.1	1,544	0.1	2,701	0.2
align=left	Lithuanians	44	0.0	436	0.0	253	0.0	1,616	0.1	2,356	0.2	2,379	0.2	2,568	0.2	2,116	0.2	1,727	0.1	2,097	0.2
align=left	Tatars	36	0.0	—	166	0.0	1,534	0.1	2,204	0.2	3,195	0.2	4,058	0.3	2,582	0.2	1,993	0.2	1,938	0.1
align=left	Jews	3,837	0.4	4,566	0.4	4,434	0.4	5,433	0.5	5,282	0.4	4,954	0.3	4,613	0.3	2,145	0.2	1,973	0.2	1,852	0.1
align=left	Poles	1,941	0.2	969	0.1	1,608	0.1	2,256	0.2	2,651	0.2	2,897	0.2	3,008	0.2	2,193	0.2	1,664	0.1	1,845	0.1
align=left	Swedes	6,083	0.6	7,850	0.7	7,641	0.7	—	435	0.0	254	0.0	297	0.0	300	0.0	380	0.0	811
align=left	Armenians	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1,428	0.1	1,666	0.1
align=left	Azerbaijanis	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	940	0.0	1,546	0.1
align=left	French people	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	117	0.0	1,275	0.0
align=left	Italians	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	230	0.0	1,181	0.0
align=left	Hindus	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	90	0.0	1,165	0.0
align=left	Englishmen	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	270	0.0	999	0.0
align=left	Georgians	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	490	0.0	946	0.0
align=left	Spaniards	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	100	0.0	767	0.0
align=left	Turkish people	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	86	0.0	763	0.0
align=left	Moldavians	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	511	0.0	730	0.0
align=left	Romani people	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	482	0.0	676	0.0
align=left	Americans	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	245	0.0	645	0.0
align=left	Pakistanis	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	27	0.0	560	0.0
align=left	Romanians	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	91	0.0	517	0.0
align=left	Arabs	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	80	0.0	489	0.0
align=left	Brazilians	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	29	0.0	460	0.0
align=left	Chinese	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	90	0.0	427	0.0
align=left	Persians	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	23	0.0	426	0.0
align=left	Other	1,047	0.1	11,467	1.0	4,266	0.4	6,116	0.5	6,883	0.5	9,042	0.6	13,798	0.9	19,174	1.4	7,538	0.6	24,336	1.8
align=left	Total	958,351		1,107,059		1,126,413		1,196,791		1,356,079		1,464,476		1,565,662		1,370,052		1,294,455		1,331,824

As a result of the Soviet occupation from 1944 to 1991 and Soviet policies, the share of ethnic Estonians in the population resident within currently defined boundaries of Estonia dropped to 61.5% in 1989, compared to 88% in 1934.^[30] But in the decade following the restoration of independence, large scale emigration by ethnic Russians, as well as ethnic groups of other former Soviet countries, and the removal of the Russian military bases in 1994 caused the proportion of ethnic Estonians in Estonia to increase from 61.5% in 1989 to 68.7% in 2008. In the same period the proportion of ethnic Russians decreased from 30.0% to 25.6%, the proportion of ethnic Ukrainians decreased from 3.1% to 2.1%, and the proportion of ethnic Belarusians decreased from 1.8% to 1.2%.^{[25] [30]}

In 2008, the largest ethnic groups in Estonia were Estonians 68.7%, Russians 25.6%, Ukrainians 2.1%, Belarusians 1.2%, and Finns 0.8%. These five groups made up 98.4% of Estonia's population.^[25]

The numbers had changed a little by the time of the 2021 census, when they were reported as Estonians 69.1%, Russians 23.6%, Ukrainians 2.1%, Belarusians 0.9%, and Finns 0.6%.^[29]

Languages

See main article: Languages of Estonia. Many languages are spoken in Estonia, including Estonian (official), Võro, Russian, Ukrainian, English, Finnish, German and others. According to the census of 2000, 109 languages were spoken natively in Estonia. By 2011, the number of languages spoken natively had increased to 157, mainly due to new immigrants. However, most of these languages were used only between relatives or compatriots, while only 30 languages were spoken on a daily basis in families.^[31]

Estonian and Finnish are closely related, belonging to the same Finnic branch of the Uralic language family. The two languages are only partially mutually intelligible, although learning to comprehend and speak each other's languages is fairly easy for native speakers. Estonian and Finnish are only distantly related to the Hungarian language. ^[32]

Written with the Latin script, Estonian is the language of the Estonian people and the official language of the country. One-third of the standard vocabulary is derived from adding suffixes to root words. The oldest known examples of written Estonian originate in 13th century chronicles. During the Soviet era, the Russian language was imposed in parallel to, and often instead of, Estonian in official use.

Population of Estonia by first language

Language	2000 census^[33]		2011 census		2021 census ^[34]
	Number	%	Number	%	Number	%
Estonian	921,817		887,216		895,493
Russian	406,755		383,118		379,210
Ukrainian	12,299		8,016		12,431
Finnish	4,932		2,621		4,276
Belarusian	5,197		1,664		1,650
Latvian	1,389		999		2,510
Lithuanian	1,198		905		1,110
English	248		878		3,879
Tatar	1,251		806		645
Armenian	719		717		842
Azerbaijani	592		656		1,118
German	557		522		1,834
Polish	674		435		693
Other	3,235		2,891		17,957
Unknown	9,189		1,723		8,176
Total	1,370,052		1,294,455		1,331,824

Language! colspan="2"

2000 census	2011 census		2021 census
Number	%	Number	%	Number	%
English	345,854		495,420		622,560
Russian	578,004		545,537		508,060
Estonian	167,804		177,286		223,950
Finnish	138,354		167,315		138,300
German	140,004		130,191		89,650
French	9,912		18,677		18,540
Swedish	9,345		13,990		14,540
Other	20,385		39,761		33,150

Census data show that in 2021 an estimated 76% of Estonia’s population speak a foreign language. While 10 years ago the most widely spoken foreign language in Estonia was Russian, today it is English. Estonian is spoken by 84% of the population: 67% speak it as a mother tongue and 17% as a foreign language.^[35]

Religion

See main article: Religion in Estonia. According to the most recent Eurobarometer Poll 2010,^[36] 18% of Estonian residents responded that "they believe there is a God", whereas 50% answered that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force" and 29% that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, god, or life force". This, according to the survey, would have made Estonians the most non-religious people in the then 27-member European Union. A survey conducted in 2006–2008 by Gallup showed that 14% of Estonians answered positively to the question: "Is religion an important part of your daily life?", which was the lowest among 143 countries polled.^[37]

In 2000, according to the census, 29.2% of the population considered themselves to be related to any religion, thereof:^[38]

• 13.6% Lutheran Christians
• 12.8% Orthodox Christians
• 6,009 Baptists
• 5,745 Roman Catholics
• 4,254 Jehovah's Witnesses
• 2,648 Pentecostals
• 2,515 Old Believers
• 1,561 Adventists
• 1,455 Methodists
• 1,387 Muslims
• 5,008 followers of other religions

In 2011, according to the census, 29.31% of the population considered themselves to be related to any religion:

• 16.15% Orthodox Christians
• 9.91% Lutheran Christians
• 0.41% Baptists
• 0.41% Roman Catholics
• 0.36% Jehovah's Witnesses
• 0.24% Old Believers
• 0.17% Pentecostals
• 0.14% Muslims
• 0.11% Adventists
• 0.10% Methodists
• 3.25% Other religions

There are also a number of smaller Jewish, and Buddhist groups. The organisation Maavalla Koda (Taaraism) unites adherents of animist traditional religions.^{[39] [40]} The Russian neopagan organisation "Vene Rahvausu Kogudus Eestis" is registered in Tartu.^[41]

The irrereligiousity of Estonians is a relic of Soviet occupation time, but culturally Estonia still belongs to the Lutheran culture sphere, like most of Northern Europe.

Vital statistics

Vital statistics for the Governorate of Estonia

The Governorate of Estonia comprised the northern part of present-day Estonia. The southern part was part of the Governorate of Livonia.^[42]

	Average population	Live births	Deaths	Natural change	Crude birth rate (per 1000)	Crude death rate (per 1000)	Natural change (per 1000)
1900	428,000	12,487	8,227	4,260	29.2	19.2	10.0
1901	430,000	12,703	8,428	4,275	29.5	19.6	9.9
1902	434,000	13,101	7,724	5,377	30.2	17.8	12.4
1903	440,000	12,704	8,004	4,700	28.9	18.2	10.7
1904	446,000	12,753	8,279	4,474	28.6	18.6	10.0
1905	449,000	11,991	9,694	2,297	26.7	21.6	5.1
1906	452,000	12,417	8,842	3,575	27.4	19.5	7.9
1907	455,000	12,304	8,730	3,574	27.0	19.2	7.9
1908	459,000	11,861	8,495	3,366	25.8	18.5	7.3
1909	464,000	11,970	8,297	3,673	25.8	17.9	7.9
1910	466,000	12,193	8,204	3,989	26.2	17.6	8.6
1911	472,000	11,749	8,976	2,773	24.9	19.0	5.9
1912	480,000	11,900	8,431	3,469	24.8	17.6	7.2
1913	491,000	11,653	9,089	2,564	23.7	18.5	5.2
1914	506,000	11,854	9,212	2,642	23.4	18.2	5.2

Present Estonia

Source: Statistics Estonia^[43]

	Average population	Live births	Deaths	Natural change	Crude birth rate (per 1000)	Crude death rate (per 1000)	Natural change (per 1000)	Crude migration change (per 1000)	Total fertility rate	Infant mortality rate
1914	1,197,000	26,865	20,882	5,983	22.4	17.4	5.0	-12.5
1915	1,188,000	24,680	21,841	2,839	20.8	18.4	2.4	-31.9
1916	1,154,000	21,282	25,429	4,147	18.4	22.0	3.6	-25.9
1917	1,120,000	18,333	27,336	9,003	16.4	24.4	8.0	-22.4
1918	1,086,000	21,659	32,488	10,829	19.9	29.9	10.0	-10.3
1919	1,064,000	18,456	28,800	10,344	17.3	27.1	9.7	13.5
1920	1,068,000	19,625	21,363	1,738	18.4	20.0	1.6	19.4
1921	1,087,000	22,067	17,143	4,924	20.3	15.8	4.5	9.3
1922	1,102,000	22,255	18,401	3,854	20.2	16.7	3.5	4.7
1923	1,111,000	22,347	16,630	5,717	20.1	15.0	5.1	-0.6
1924	1,116,000	21,441	16,918	4,523	19.2	15.2	4.1	-3.2		99.9
1925	1,117,000	20,445	16,680	3,765	18.3	14.9	3.4	-3.4		95.7
1926	1,117,000	19,977	18,047	1,900	17.9	16.2	1.7	-2.6		101.8
1927	1,116,000	19,705	19,356	500	17.7	17.3	0.4	-0.4		114.6
1928	1,116,000	20,064	17,785	2,279	18.0	15.9	2.0	-2.0		103.6
1929	1,116,000	19,110	20,178	1,068	17.1	18.1	1.0	1.0		110.5
1930	1,116,000	19,471	16,610	2,861	17.4	14.9	2.6	-0.8		100.1
1931	1,118,000	19,509	18,077	1,432	17.4	16.2	1.3	2.3		102.8
1932	1,122,000	19,742	16,641	3,101	17.6	14.8	2.8	-1.0		96.8
1933	1,124,000	18,208	16,472	1,736	16.2	14.7	1.5	0.3		94.0
1934	1,126,000	17,305	15,853	1,452	15.4	14.1	1.3	1.4		91.1
1935	1,129,000	17,891	16,864	1,027	15.8	14.9	0.9	0		89.3
1936	1,130,000	18,222	17,594	628	16.1	15.6	0.6	0.3		89.2
1937	1,131,000	18,190	16,614	1,576	16.1	14.7	1.4	0.4		90.7
1938	1,133,000	18,453	16,496	1,957	16.3	14.6	1.7	-6.1		77.5
1939	1,128,000	18,475	17,101	1,374	16.4	15.2	1.2	-29.6		78.8
1940	1,096,000	18,407	19,024	617	16.8	17.4	0.6	-46.8		83.7
1941	1,044,000	19,574	23,702	4,128	18.8	22.7	4.0	-21.9
1942	1,017,000	19,242	20,276	1,034	18.9	19.9	1.0	-9.8		91.8
1943	1,006,000	16,001	18,120	2,119	15.9	18.0	2.1	-13.8
1944	990,000	15,180	24,700	9,520	15.3	24.9	9.6	-102.5
1945	879,000	14,968	20,708	5,740	17.0	23.6	6.5	62.2		124.8
1946	928,000	19,408	19,969	561	20.9	21.5	0.6	53.4		96.8
1947	977,000	22,721	21,492	1,229	23.3	22.0	1.3	48.9		121.4
1948	1,026,000	21,777	17,549	4,228	21.2	17.1	4.1	42.7		84.2
1949	1,074,000	21,770	16,730	5,040	20.3	15.6	4.7	20.4		82.4
1950	1,101,000	20,279	15,817	4,462	18.4	14.4	4.1	7.7		81.2
1951	1,114,000	20,730	15,354	5,376	18.6	13.7	4.8	6.0		76.2
1952	1,126,000	21,111	15,817	5,294	18.7	14.0	4.7	8.0		64.9
1953	1,138,000	20,146	14,420	5,726	17.7	12.7	5.0	4.7		52.2
1954	1,149,000	20,909	13,981	6,928	18.2	12.2	6.0	3.6		49.5
1955	1,160,000	20,786	13,638	7,148	17.9	11.8	6.2	3.3		51.6
1956	1,171,000	19,660	12,748	6,912	16.8	10.9	5.9	2.6		41.2
1957	1,181,000	19,509	13,026	6,483	16.5	11.0	5.5	3.8		40.1
1958	1,192,000	19,598	12,971	6,627	16.4	10.9	5.6	3.6		39.9
1959	1,203,000	19,938	13,130	6,808	16.5	10.9	5.7	5.1		31.7
1960	1,216,000	20,187	12,738	7,449	16.6	10.5	6.1	4.6	1.95	31.1
1961	1,229,000	20,230	13,036	7,194	16.5	10.6	5.9	5.5	1.97	28.0
1962	1,243,000	19,959	13,495	6,464	16.1	10.9	5.2	6.9	1.95	25.2
1963	1,258,000	19,275	13,251	6,024	15.3	10.5	4.8	9.5	1.91	26.0
1964	1,276,000	19,629	12,754	6,875	15.4	10.0	5.4	6.4	1.94	25.4
1965	1,291,000	18,909	13,520	5,389	14.6	10.5	4.2	5.1	1.90	20.3
1966	1,303,000	18,629	13,800	4,829	14.3	10.6	3.7	4.7	1.85	20.0
1967	1,314,000	18,671	13,699	4,972	14.2	10.4	3.8	6.1	1.86	19.2
1968	1,327,000	19,782	14,225	5,557	14.9	10.7	4.2	9.4	2.03	18.0
1969	1,345,000	20,781	15,150	5,631	15.5	11.3	4.2	7.0	2.11	16.7
1970	1,360,000	21,552	15,186	6,366	15.8	11.2	4.7	7.8	2.16	17.7
1971	1,377,000	22,118	15,038	7,080	16.1	10.9	5.1	6.5	2.19	17.5
1972	1,393,000	21,757	15,520	6,237	15.6	11.1	4.5	4.8	2.14	15.9
1973	1,406,000	21,239	15,573	5,666	15.1	11.1	4.0	4.5	2.07	15.9
1974	1,418,000	21,461	15,393	6,068	15.1	10.9	4.3	3.5	2.07	17.6
1975	1,429,000	21,360	16,572	4,788	14.9	11.6	3.4	4.3	2.04	18.2
1976	1,440,000	21,801	17,351	4,450	15.1	12.0	3.1	3.8	2.06	17.5
1977	1,450,000	21,977	17,094	4,883	15.2	11.8	3.4	3.5	2.06	17.5
1978	1,460,000	21,842	17,812	4,030	15.0	12.2	2.8	2.7	2.02	16.5
1979	1,468,000	21,879	18,062	3,817	14.9	12.3	2.6	3.5	2.01	18.3
1980	1,477,000	22,204	18,199	4,005	15.0	12.3	2.7	4.7	2.02	17.1
1981	1,488,000	22,937	18,349	4,588	15.4	12.3	3.1	3.6	2.07	17.0
1982	1,498,000	23,128	17,893	5,235	15.4	11.9	3.5	3.8	2.08	17.2
1983	1,509,000	24,155	18,190	5,965	16.0	12.1	4.0	2.6	2.16	16.1
1984	1,519,000	24,234	19,086	5,148	16.0	12.6	3.4	3.2	2.17	13.6
1985	1,529,000	23,630	19,343	4,287	15.5	12.7	2.8	4.4	2.12	14.1
1986	1,540,000	24,106	17,986	6,120	15.7	11.7	4.0	3.8	2.17	15.9
1987	1,552,000	25,086	18,279	6,807	16.2	11.8	4.4	2.0	2.26	16.0
1988	1,562,000	25,060	18,551	6,509	16.0	11.9	4.2	-0.4	2.26	12.4
1989	1,568,000	24,318	18,536	5,762	15.5	11.8	3.7	-3.1	2.22	14.8
1990	1,569,000	22,304	19,531	2,778	14.2	12.4	1.8	-6.9	2.05	12.3
1991	1,561,000	19,413	19,715	302	12.4	12.6	0.2	-17.7	1.80	13.3
1992	1,533,000	18,038	20,126	2,088	11.8	13.1	1.4	-24.0	1.71	15.7
1993	1,494,000	15,253	21,286	6,033	10.2	14.2	4.0	-16.7	1.49	15.6
1994	1,463,000	14,176	22,212	8,036	9.7	15.2	5.5	-12.3	1.42	14.4
1995	1,437,000	13,509	20,828	7,319	9.4	14.5	5.1	-9.5	1.38	14.9
1996	1,416,000	13,242	19,020	5,778	9.4	13.4	4.1	-7.2	1.37	10.5
1997	1,400,000	12,577	18,572	5,995	9.0	13.3	4.3	-5.7	1.32	10.0
1998	1,386,000	12,167	19,445	7,278	8.8	14.0	5.3	-1.9	1.28	9.4
1999	1,376,000	12,425	18,447	6,022	9.0	13.4	4.4	19.7	1.32	9.6
2000^1	1,397,000	13,067	18,403	5,336	9.4	13.2	3.8	-2.6	1.35	8.4
2001	1,388,000	12,632	18,516	5,884	9.1	13.2	4.2	-2.3	1.31	8.8
2002	1,379,000	13,001	18,355	5,354	9.4	13.3	3.9	-1.9	1.36	5.7
2003	1,371,000	13,036	18,152	5,116	9.5	13.2	3.7	-2.1	1.36	7.0
2004	1,363,000	13,992	17,685	3,693	10.3	13.0	2.7	-3.2	1.47	6.4
2005	1,355,000	14,350	17,316	2,966	10.6	12.8	2.2	-3.7	1.52	5.4
2006	1,347,000	14,877	17,316	2,439	11.0	12.9	1.8	-2.7	1.58	4.4
2007	1,341,000	15,775	17,409	1,634	11.8	13.0	1.2	-1.8	1.69	5.0
2008	1,337,000	16,028	16,675	647	12.0	12.5	0.5	-1.0	1.72	5.0
2009	1,335,000	15,763	16,081	318	11.8	12.1	0.2	-2.0	1.70	3.6
2010	1,332,000	15,825	15,790	35	11.9	11.9	0.0	-3.8	1.72	3.3
2011	1,327,000	14,679	15,244	565	11.0	11.4	0.4	-2.6	1.61	2.5
2012	1,323,000	14,056	15,450	1,394	10.6	11.7	1.1	-2.7	1.56	3.6
2013	1,318,000	13,531	15,244	1,713	10.3	11.6	1.3	-1.7	1.52	2.1
2014	1,314,000	13,551	15,484	1,933	10.3	11.8	1.5	1.5	1.54	2.7
2015	1,314,000	13,907	15,243	1,336	10.6	11.6	1.0	2.5	1.58	2.5
2016	1,316,000	14,053	15,392	1,339	10.7	11.7	1.0	1.8	1.60	2.3
2017	1,317,000	13,784	15,543	1,759	10.5	11.8	1.3	5.1	1.59	2.3
2018	1,322,000	14,367	15,751	1,384	10.9	11.9	1.0	4.8	1.67	1.6
2019	1,327,000	14,099	15,401	1,302	10.6	11.6	1.0	2.5	1.66	1.6
2020	1,329,000	13,209	15,811	2,602	9.9	11.9	2.0	3.5	1.58	1.4
2021	1,331,000	13,272	18,587	5,315	10.0	14.0	4.0	17.5	1.61	2.2
2022	1,349,000	11,646	17,315	5,669	8.6	12.8	4.2	19.8	1.41	2.2
2023	1,370,000	10,949	16,002	5,053	8.0	11.7	3.7		1.31	1.7

According to the data of Statistics Estonia, 1,374,687 persons lived in Estonia on 1 January 2024. This is 8,803 persons more than at the same time a year ago. In 2023, there were 10,949 births and 16,002 deaths in Estonia. Natural increase was negative (-5,053 people), while net migration was positive (+13,856 people).Based on the data on registered migration, 26,399 persons immigrated to Estonia and 12,543 persons emigrated from Estonia. Compared with a year earlier, the number of births and deaths has fallen and number of immigrants increased, while the number of emigrants has fallen.

Year earlier, on 1 January 2023 by the data of Statistics Estonia, 1,365,884 persons lived in Estonia. At 1 January 2022 lived in Estonia 1,331,796 persons, at 1 January 2021 1,330,068 persons.^[44]

¹ Population figures from 2000 on were revised based on the 2011 Estonian census and various registers.^[45]

Current vital statistics

The data is based on registrations of births and deaths.^{[46] [47] [48]}

Period	Live births	Deaths	Natural increase
January-July 2023	6,291	9,189	2,898
January-July 2024	5,839	9,139	3,300
Difference	452 (-7.18%)	-50 (-0.54%)	402

Structure of the population

Age Group	Male	Female	Total	%
Total	630 081	699 398	1 329 479	100
0–4	36 496	34 282	70 778	5.32
5–9	36 943	35 192	72 135	5.43
10–14	38 862	36 812	75 674	5.69
15–19	32 557	31 056	63 613	4.78
20–24	32 304	30 481	62 785	4.72
25–29	41 090	37 598	78 688	5.92
30–34	53 536	47 937	101 473	7.63
35–39	49 887	46 058	95 945	7.22
40–44	47 106	44 160	91 266	6.86
45–49	46 552	45 084	91 636	6.89
50–54	41 680	42 995	84 675	6.37
55–59	41 167	45 436	86 603	6.51
60–64	38 495	47 293	85 788	6.45
65-69	32 536	45 680	78 216	5.88
70-74	24 568	39 996	64 564	4.86
75-79	16 040	31 412	47 452	3.57
80-84	12 326	30 478	42 804	3.22
85-89	5 683	17 620	23 303	1.75
90-94	1 960	7 968	9 928	0.75
95-99	278	1 724	2 002	0.15
100+	15	136	151	0.01
Age group	Male	Female	Total	Percent
0–14	112 301	106 286	218 587	16.44
15–64	424 374	418 098	842 472	63.37
65+	93 406	175 014	268 420	20.19

See also

• Estonization
• Baltic Germans
• Estonian Swedes
• Russians in Estonia
• Võros
• Aging of Europe

Notes and References

1. News: Spirituality in Estonia – the world's 'least religious' country. Esslemont. Tom. 2011-08-26. BBC News. 2018-04-27.
2. News: Europe is Moving Away from Organized Religion – World Religion News. Welch. Derek. 2018-04-01. World Religion News. 2018-04-27.
3. News: Religion in Estonia. 2018-04-27.
4. Web site: Last year, immigration exceeded emigration for the first time after the restoration of independence in Estonia - Statistics Estonia . 2016-08-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160828183016/https://www.stat.ee/277526 . 2016-08-28 .
5. Web site: Estonia's population is increasing due to Ukrainian immigration Statistikaamet . 2024-05-14 . www.stat.ee . en.
6. Web site: Extraordinary year for population statistics – births at record low, migration at record high Statistikaamet . 2023-05-16 . www.stat.ee . en . 2023-05-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230516062141/https://www.stat.ee/en/news/extraordinary-year-population-statistics-births-record-low-migration-record-high . dead .
7. Web site: Population census: Estonia's population and the number of Estonians have grown Statistikaamet . 2022-06-01 . rahvaloendus.ee . en.
8. Web site: 1,294,455 permanent residents enumerated in the census. 12 December 2012. Statistics Estonia. 16 January 2013. 5 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210205020730/https://vana.stat.ee/67162?parent_id=39113. dead.
9. Web site: General information. Update 10 January 2008. Statistics Estonia. 16 January 2013. 5 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210205033456/https://vana.stat.ee/26262. dead.
10. Web site: Estonian population growth continues in 2019 due to immigration. 17 January 2020.
11. Web site: The population increase was influenced by external migration. 4 May 2016. Statistics Estonia. 14 June 2016.
12. News: Immigration exceeds emigration in Estonia for first time since reindependence. 23 May 2016. ERR. 14 June 2016.
13. Web site: The population of Estonia decreased last year. 15 January 2016. Statistics Estonia. 14 June 2016.
14. Web site: Main demographic indicators. Statistics Estonia. 3 January 2013.
15. Web site: Estonia Life expectancy at birth. 3 January 2013. Index Mundi.
16. Web site: World Population Prospects – Population Division . United Nations. 2018-08-26.
17. Web site: Last year, life expectancy in Estonia was the highest ever, but there was a decrease in healthy life years Statistikaamet . 2024-06-04 . www.stat.ee . en.
18. Web site: 25 August 2021. Growth in life expectancy has slowed down, but Estonian people live a longer healthy life. Statistics Estonia.
19. Web site: 27 August 2020. We live longer but not healthier. Statistics Estonia.
20. News: 27 August 2020. Life expectancy has increased for men and women in Estonia. ERR news.
21. Web site: 2022-06-01 . Population by Country of Birth. Statistics Estonia; . 2022-11-22 . Population and housing censuses: comparative data; form RLV501.
22. Web site: Preliminary data of population as of 1.1.2023 . The population of Estonia grew by 2%: immigration was the main contributor as births were at a record low Statistikaamet . 2023-01-18 . www.stat.ee . en.
23. https://andmed.stat.ee/en/stat/rahvastik__rahvastikunaitajad-ja-koosseis__rahvaarv-ja-rahvastiku-koosseis/RV0222U/table/tableViewLayout2
24. Web site: TOWARDS AN INDEX OF ETHNIC FRACTIONALIZATION . University of Malaya . 2008-10-17 . 2010-10-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110813185730/http://cmsad.um.edu.my/images/fep/doc/2001%20Pdf/FEA-WP-2001-003.pdf . 2011-08-13 . dead .
25. Web site: Population by sex, ethnic nationality and county, 1 January . . 2008-10-17 . 2009-10-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171201124514/http://pub.stat.ee/px-web.2001/Dialog/varval.asp?ma=PO0222&ti=POPULATION+BY+SEX%2C+ETHNIC+NATIONALITY+AND+COUNTY%2C+1+JANUARY&path=..%2FI_Databas%2FPopulation%2F01Population_indicators_and_composition%2F04Population_figure_and_composition%2F&lang=1 . 2017-12-01 .
26. Book: Encyclopaedia Judaica. Jews in Estonia . 1971 . 6 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120922205912/https://geschichteinchronologie.ch/eu/estland/EncJud_juden-in-Estland-ENGL.html . 2012-09-22.
27. Web site: Demoscope Weekly – Annex. Statistical indicators reference.. Demoscope.ru. 7 November 2017.
28. Web site: Ethnic nationality. Mother tongue and command of foreign languages. Dialects. pub.stat.ee.
29. Web site: Population by sex, ethnic nationality and county (2021). stat.ee.
30. Book: Eesti rahvastik rahvaloenduste andmetel (Population of Estonia by population censuses) . Eesti Statistikaamet (Statistical Office of Estonia) . 1996 . 9985-826-44-2 . 2 . et, en . PDF . 2009-10-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181115140334/http://stat.ee/dokumendid/26380 . 2018-11-15.
31. Mart Rannut. "Keeleaasta 2012." Sirp, 1-24-2013.
32. Bakró-Nagy . Marianne . 2012 . The Uralic Languages . Revue belge de Philologie et d'Histoire . 90 . 3 . 1001 - 10027 . June 21, 2024.
33. Web site: Ethnic nationality. Mother tongue. Command of foreign languages. pub.stat.ee.
34. Web site: RLV431: POPULATION BY MOTHER TONGUE AND SEX (1979, 1989, 2000, 2011, 2021) . 2022-08-09 . PX-Web.
35. Web site: Population census. More people speak dialects than in the previous census Statistikaamet . 2022-11-17 . www.stat.ee . en.
36. Biotechnology report 2010 p.383
37. Web site: What Alabamians and Iranians Have in Common. February 9, 2009. Gallup. Steve. Crabtree. Brett. Pelham. 21 February 2010.
38. Web site: Statistical database: Population Census 2000 – Religious affiliation . 2011-02-18 . 22 October 2002 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20110515094242/http://pub.stat.ee/px-web.2001/I_Databas/Population_census/16Religious_affiliation/16Religious_affiliation.asp . 15 May 2011 . dmy-all .
39. Web site: Old estonian religions. 3 January 2013. Maavalla Koda. Ahto Kaasik.
40. News: Some Estonians return to pre-Christian animist traditions. The New York Times . Ellen . Barry . 2008-11-09 .
41. Web site: "MTÜ Kompass" pisiportaal . 2013-01-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140109035637/http://kompass.pereraadio.ee/?id=13677&print=1 . 2014-01-09 . dead .
42. Web site: Статистический ежегодник Российской Империи (Издание ЦСК) – Проект "Исторические Материалы". Istmat.info. 7 November 2017. 16 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141216153942/http://istmat.info/node/21366. dead.
43. Web site: Home | Statistikaamet. www.stat.ee.
44. Web site: 2022-05-12. Immigration offset the high number of deaths; the population increased. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220512105317/https://www.stat.ee/en/node/258675 . 2022-05-12 . www.stat.ee. Statistics Estonia.
45. Web site: Statistics Estonia revised the population figures for the years 2000–2013 – Statistics Estonia. Stat.ee. 7 November 2017. 14 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161114162857/http://www.stat.ee/72429. dead.
46. Web site: Preliminary data of registration of births by month and county of the registration. Statistics Estonia.
47. Web site: Preliminary data of registration of deaths by month and county of the registration. Statistics Estonia.
48. Web site: News. Estonian Ministry of the Interior.