Page last updated on January 31, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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, formally joined the OECD in late 2010, and adopted the euro as its official currency on 1 January 2011.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
59 00 N, 26 00 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Europe
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 45,228 sq km
country comparison to the world: 133
land: 42,388 sq km
water: 2,840 sq km
note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 633 km
border countries: Latvia 343 km, Russia 290 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,794 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: limits fixed in coordination with neighboring states
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
maritime; wet, moderate winters, cool summers
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Suur Munamagi 318 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
oil shale, peat, rare earth elements, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand, dolomite, arable land, sea mud
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 13.97%
permanent crops: 0.13%
other: 85.89% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.58 sq km (2010)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.81 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1.8 cu km/yr (3%/97%/0%)
per capita: 1,337 cu m/yr (2009)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
sometimes flooding occurs in the spring
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded; offshore lie more than 1,500 islands
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Estonian(s)
adjective: Estonian
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Estonian 68.7%, Russian 25.6%, Ukrainian 2.1%, Belarusian 1.2%, Finn 0.8%, other 1.6% (2008 census)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Estonian (official) 67.3%, Russian 29.7%, other 2.3%, unknown 0.7% (2000 census)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,266,375 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 15.4% (male 100,605/female 94,831)
15-24 years: 11.9% (male 77,302/female 73,446)
25-54 years: 41.3% (male 250,997/female 272,460)
55-64 years: 13.1% (male 71,442/female 94,278)
65 years and over: 18.2% (male 76,356/female 154,658) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 51.2 %
youth dependency ratio: 23.9 %
elderly dependency ratio: 27.3 %
potential support ratio: 3.7 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 41 years
male: 37.4 years
female: 44.3 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.66% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 229
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.38 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13.65 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-3.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 69.5% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 0.02% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
TALLINN (capital) 399,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.76 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female
total population: 0.84 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
26.3 (2010 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 184
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 6.82 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 164
male: 7.94 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 73.82 years
country comparison to the world: 118
male: 68.58 years
female: 79.4 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.45 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
63.4%
note: percent of women aged 18-49 (2005)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 108
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.34 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.3 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.2% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9,900 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Major infectious diseases:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
degree of risk: intermediate
vectorborne disease: tickborne encephalitis (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20.6% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 95
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.1% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 37
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.8%
male: 99.8%
female: 99.8% (2011 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 16 years
male: 15 years
female: 17 years (2010)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 20.9%
country comparison to the world: 56
male: 23.4%
female: 17.9% (2012)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
parliamentary republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20 August 1991 (declared); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
several previous; latest adopted 28 June 1992; amended several times, last in 2012 (2012)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
civil law system
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal for all Estonian citizens
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 29 August 2011 (next to be held in the fall of 2016); prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament
election results: Toomas Hendrik ILVES reelected president; parliamentary vote - Toomas Hendrik ILVES 73, Indrek TARAND 25
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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%, IRL 20.5%, SDE 17.1%, Estonian Greens 3.8%, Estonian People's Union 2.1%, other 4.6%; seats by party - Estonian Reform Party 33, Center Party 21, IRL 23, SDE 19, unaffiliated 5
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and organized into the Civil Chamber with a chamber chairman and 6 justices, the Criminal Chamber with a chamber chairman and 5 justices, the Administrative Law Chamber with a chamber chairman and 4 justices, and the Constitutional Review Chamber with 9 members - the chief justice and 2 justices from the Civil Chamber, 3 from the Criminal Chamber and 3 from the Administrative chamber)
judge selection and term of office: the chief justice is proposed by the president 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
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) [Edgar SAVISAAR]
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, 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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Marina KALJURAND (since 6 September 2011)
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Jeffrey D. LEVINE (since 24 July 2012)
embassy: Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [372] 668-8100
FAX: [372] 668-8134
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
barn swallow, cornflower
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Estonia, a member of the European Union and the eurozone since 2004, 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 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, Russia, and Germany. Tallinn's priority has been to sustain high growth rates - on average 8% per year from 2003 to 2007. Estonia's economy fell into recession in mid-2008 with GDP contracting 14.3% in 2009, as a result of an investment and consumption slump following the bursting of the real estate market bubble and a decrease in export demand as result of economic slowdown in the rest of Europe. Estonia rebounded nearly 8% in 2011 and the Estonian economy now has one of the higher GDP growth rates in Europe. Estonia adopted the euro on 1 January 2011.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$29.09 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$22.1 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$21,700 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
26.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 50.4%
government consumption: 19.6%
investment in fixed capital: 25%
investment in inventories: 2.6%
exports of goods and services: 92.5%
imports of goods and services: -90.1%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 3.9%
industry: 29.7%
services: 66.4% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
grain, potatoes, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textiles; information technology, telecommunications
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
695,000 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 4.2%
industry: 20.2%
services: 75.6% (2010)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.5% (2010)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 27.7% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
31.3 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 108
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $8.155 billion
expenditures: $8.213 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
36.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities, including sub-sectors of central government, state government, local government, and social security funds
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.75% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$8.191 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$12.11 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$19.24 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.611 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 97
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-267.7 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$14.46 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Sweden 16.8%, Finland 15.3%, Russia 12.7%, Latvia 9.2%, Lithuania 5.7%, Germany 4.8% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$15.6 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery and electrical equipment, mineral fuels, chemical products, foodstuffs, plastics, textiles
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Finland 15.1%, Germany 10.7%, Sweden 10.7%, Latvia 10%, Lithuania 9%, Poland 6.6%, China 4.4%, Russia 4.1% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$300.7 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$25.69 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$20.87 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$7.84 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
kroon (EEK) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.19 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.948 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.95 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.71 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.751 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
93.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7,624 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 126
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
26,340 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22,670 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
701 million cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
670 million cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 133
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20.26 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
448,200 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 99
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.07 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 145
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the publicly owned broadcaster, Eesti Rahvusringhaaling (ERR), operates 2 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; high penetration rate for cable TV services with more than half of Estonian households connected (2008)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.ee
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
865,494 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 49
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
971,700 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 102
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 141
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 13
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 (2012)
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
gas 868 km (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1,196 km
country comparison to the world: 85
broad gauge: 1,196 km 1.520-m and 1.524-m gauge (133 km electrified) (2011)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 58,412 km (includes urban roads)
country comparison to the world: 73
paved: 10,427 km (includes 115 km of expressways)
unpaved: 47,985 km (2011)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
335 km (320 km are navigable year round) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 91
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 25
country comparison to the world: 89
by type: cargo 4, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 18, petroleum tanker 2
foreign-owned: 3 (Germany 1, Norway 2)
registered in other countries: 63 (Antigua and Barbuda 10, Belize 1, Cambodia 1, Canada 1, Cook Islands 1, Cyprus 6, Dominica 6, Finland 2, Latvia 3, Malta 16, Russia 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 8, Sierra Leone 2, Sweden 3, Venezuela 1, unknown 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Kuivastu, Kunda, Muuga, Parnu Reid, Sillamae, Tallinn
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Estonian Defense Forces (Eesti Kaitsevagi): Land Force (Maavagi), Navy (Merevagi), Air Force (Ohuvagi), Defense League (Kaitseliit) (2012)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 (2013)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 291,801
females age 16-49: 302,696 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 210,854
females age 16-49: 251,185 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 6,668
female: 6,309 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.92% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 139
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
stateless persons: 94,235 (2012); 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