Estonia

The population of Estonia is approximately 1.4M (2024).

The capital of Estonia is Tallinn.

Estonia's GDP per capita is $31.4K (2024).

Life expectancy in Estonia is 79.3 years (2024).

Estonia covers 45,227 km² (17,462 sq mi).

Estonia is sparsely populated, averaging 30 people per km², below the global average of 60.

Estonia's population is growing slowly at 0.1% per year, below the global average.

Yes — based on GDP per capita, Estonia falls in the high GDP-per-person tier at $31.4K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.

Estonia reports a low intentional homicide rate of 1.5 per 100,000 people, below the global average.

The official language of Estonia is Estonian.

Estonia uses the euro (€) as its sole official currency.

The best months to visit Estonia are June, July, August, September, based on climate data for the capital.

The population of Estonia is currently estimated at approximately 1.38 million people. This ranks the nation 154 of 215 globally and 35 of 47 within Europe. The country has a population density of approximately 32.2 people per km² (83.4 per sq mi).

According to recent estimates, the GDP per capita in Estonia is approximately 31,372 USD. This performance ranks the country 52 of 212 globally and 10 of 12 within the Northern Europe subregion. Estonia's economy is recognized for its high level of digital innovation and ease of doing business.

Estonia has an exceptional literacy rate of 99.9% among its adult population. This places the country at a rank of 8 of 170 globally. The Estonian education system is consistently recognized as a top performer in international assessments, particularly in science and mathematics.

The life expectancy at birth in Estonia is approximately 79.3 years. Globally, Estonia ranks 55 of 215 countries for this metric. Continued investment in public healthcare and high standards of living have contributed to significant improvements in longevity over the last few decades.

Internet usage is very high in Estonia, with approximately 92.2% of the population being active internet users. This ranks the nation 47 of 212 globally. Estonia is world-renowned for its digital-first government services, including electronic voting and its pioneering e-residency program.

The current unemployment rate in Estonia is 8.313%. When comparing countries from the lowest unemployment rate to the highest, Estonia ranks 53 of 186 globally. The labor market is characterized by a high demand for skilled workers in the technology and service sectors.

Estonia holds a global rank of 154 out of 215 countries in terms of total population. In the regional context, it ranks 35th out of 47 countries in Europe and 9th out of 12 nations in Northern Europe. These rankings reflect its status as one of the smaller nations in the Baltic region.

Recent data indicates an estimated 2026 population density of 32.2 people per km² (83.4 per sq mi). This density ranks 168th globally and 41st within Europe. Much of the country is sparsely populated, with the highest concentration of residents living in the northern coastal areas and the capital, Tallinn.

Estonia is currently experiencing a slight population increase, with an annual growth rate of approximately 0.15%. While there are more deaths than births each day, net migration contributes to a daily population increase of 6 people. This reversal of historical decline has stabilized the population over the last decade.

The fertility rate in Estonia is 1.18 births per woman, according to the latest official data. This places the country 198th globally for fertility, significantly below the replacement level of 2.1. The government has implemented various support measures for families to address this low birth rate and support demographic stability.

Recent statistics show that 70.7% of Estonia's population resides in urban areas. This high level of urbanization is largely centered on Tallinn, the capital and largest city, which serves as the economic heart of the country. Urban living is popular due to the nation's highly developed digital infrastructure and technology sector.