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Estonia: country overview

05 June 2012
by Ina Dimireva -- last modified 03 July 2017

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. 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 most important sectors of Estonia's economy in 2015 were wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services (22.3 %), industry (20.4 %) and public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (15.5 %).


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Estonia flag

Capital: Tallinn

Geographical size: 45,227 km2

Population: 1,315,944 (2016)

Population as % of total EU: 0.3 % (2016)

Gross domestic product (GDP): EUR 20,916 billion (2016)

Official EU language(s): Estonian

Political system: parliamentary republic

EU member country since: 1 May 2004

Seats in the European Parliament: 6

Currency: Euro. Member of the eurozone since 1 January 2011

Schengen area member? Yes, Schengen Area member since 21 December 2007.

Presidency of the Council: Estonia will hold the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU for the first time in the second half of 2017.

Country overview

Estonia, the most northerly of the Baltic states, regained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. It is a mainly flat country on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea, with many lakes and islands. Much of the land is farmed or forested.

The Estonian language is closely related to Finnish, but bears no resemblance to the languages of the other Baltic republics, Latvia and Lithuania, or to Russian. About one quarter of the population is of Russian-speaking origin.

The capital, Tallinn, is one of the best-preserved mediaeval cities in Europe, and tourism accounts for 15% of Estonian GDP.

Throughout history, many other nations that ruled the region – Danes, Germans, Swedes, Poles and Russians – have influenced Estonian cuisine. Among the traditional dishes are marinated eel, blood sausage and sauerkraut stew with pork.

Famous Estonians include the writer Jaan Kross whose work has been translated into at least 20 languages, the author of the national epic (Kalevipoeg) Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald, and the writer, film-maker, diplomat and politician Lennart Meri.

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 low public debt.

The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors and strong trade ties with Finland, Sweden, Germany, and Russia. After two years of robust recovery in 2011 and 2012, the Estonian economy faltered in 2013 with only 1.6% GDP growth, mainly due to continuing recession in much of the EU. GDP growth in 2014 picked up to 2.9% but dropped below 2% in 2015-16 due to lower demand in key Scandinavian and Russian export markets. In 2016 the government implemented modest increases in fiscal spending, which may contribute to GDP growth in 2017.

Estonia is challenged by a shortage of labour, both skilled and unskilled, although the government has amended its immigration law to allow easier hiring of highly qualified foreign workers.

Useful links

The Commission's Representation in Estonia

European Parliament office in Estonia

Estonian State Portal

Tourist information

Practical information

Tax system in Estonia

European jobs portal (EURES)

Rights of EU citizens travelling in Europe

Life & business in the EU

Facts about Estonia for kids

Tourist information – Estonia

Source: European Commission, CIA - The World Factbook

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