In 2024, the total population of Estonia amounted to approximately 1.37 million people. Between 1993 and 2024, the figure dropped by around 130 thousand people, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory. The total population is forecast to decline by about 10 thousand people from 2024 to 2030, fluctuating as it trends downward.This indicator describes the total population in the country at hand. This total population of the country consists of all persons falling within the scope of the census.

Over the course of the long nineteenth century, Estonia's population almost tripled, from 0.33 million in 1800, to over one million at the outbreak of the First World War. Throughout this time, Estonia was a part of the Russian Empire, however Germany then annexed the region during the First World War; when the German army eventually retreated in 1918, Estonian forces prevented Russia from re-taking the area in the Estonian War of Independence, and an independent Estonian Republic was gradually established between 1918 and 1920. Relative to its size and population, Estonia developed into a prosperous and peaceful nation in the interwar period, and Estonian language and culture thrived, although political stability proved difficult for the Baltic state.

Estonia in WWII Estonia's independence was short lived, as the country was then annexed by the Soviet Union as part of the secret Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between Germany and the Soviets. The invasion was achieved with little-to-no conflict, as Estonia capitulated when faced with the vastly superior military and navy of the Soviet Union. Annexation became official in June 1940; a puppet, communist government was quickly established, and many military and political rivals were imprisoned or executed under Soviet control. When Germany invaded the Soviet Union the following year, they quickly took control of Estonia, but simply replaced the Soviet Union's rule with their own, and did not grant re-establish sovereignty as many Estonians had expected or hoped for. By the war's end, Estonia suffered approximately 83,000 deaths at the hands of the Soviet Union and Germany, with almost 50,000 of these civilian deaths, and the rest were fatalities of Estonian soldiers who were forced to fight in other nations' armies.

Post-war Estonia Following the war, Estonia remained under Soviet control, and between 1950 and 1990, the population of Estonia grew steadily, from 1.1 million to almost 1.6 million. In the wake of the Soviet Union's collapse, Estonia established a rapid, but peaceful independence in 1991; and the population dropped by roughly ten percent by the end of the century. This was mostly due to non-Estonians returning to their country or region of origin, although a wave of Estonian emigration soon followed. Estonia joined the European Union in 2004, and from 2000 until 2015, Estonia's population continued to fall, reaching just 1.3 million people in 2015. Recent years, however, have seen a reversal in this trend, with limited growth since 2015; although demographers predict that Estonia's population will drop below one million people in the next half-century. The past three decades have marked the longest continuous period in the past 800 years, where the region of Estonia was not under German, Polish, Russian or Scandinavian control.

The total population in Estonia was estimated at 1.4 million people in 2023, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. This dataset provides - Estonia Population - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Estonia EE: Population Projection: Mid Year: Growth data was reported at -1.200 % in 2050. This records a decrease from the previous number of -1.170 % for 2049. Estonia EE: Population Projection: Mid Year: Growth data is updated yearly, averaging -0.880 % from Jun 1989 (Median) to 2050, with 62 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.160 % in 1989 and a record low of -3.130 % in 1992. Estonia EE: Population Projection: Mid Year: Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Estonia – Table EE.US Census Bureau: Demographic Projection.

Estonia EE: Population: Growth data was reported at -0.024 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.029 % for 2016. Estonia EE: Population: Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 0.520 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.438 % in 1964 and a record low of -2.574 % in 1993. Estonia EE: Population: Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Estonia – Table EE.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage . Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; Derived from total population. Population source: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision, (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Weighted average;

Key information about Estonia population

• The Estonia population reached 1.4 million people in Dec 2023, compared with the previously reported figure of 1.4 million people in Dec 2022
• The data reached an all-time high of 1.4 million people in Dec 1999 and a record low of 1.3 million people in Dec 2014

• In the latest reports, Estonia Unemployment Rate dropped to 5.3 % in Mar 2023
• Monthly earnings of the Estonia population was 2,252.7 USD in Dec 2023
• Estonia Labour Force Participation Rate dropped to 66.2 % in Dec 2023

In 1950, when Estonia's population was estimated at 1.1 million people, approximately 57 percent of the population was female, while 43 percent was male; this equated to a difference of more than 160,000 people. In the past century, as with many former-Soviet states, Estonia has consistently had one of the most disproportionate gender ratios in the world. The reason for this was due to the large number of men who were killed in wars during the first half of the twentieth century, which was particularly high across the Soviet Union, as well as a much higher life expectancy among women. The difference in the number of men and women in Estonia has gradually decreased over the past seven decades, but in 2020, there are still 70,000 more females than males, in a population of 1.3 million people; this equates to total shares of roughly 53 percent and 47 percent of the total population respectively.

Estonia: Rural population, percent of total population: The latest value from 2023 is 30.19 percent, a decline from 30.39 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 38.64 percent, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for Estonia from 1960 to 2023 is 32.14 percent. The minimum value, 28.58 percent, was reached in 1989 while the maximum of 42.47 percent was recorded in 1960.

Population, female (% of total population) in Estonia was reported at 52.5 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Estonia - Population, female (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Population ages 65 and above, male in Estonia was reported at 104001 Persons in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Estonia - Population ages 65 and above, male - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Estonia - Population, aged 15-74 was 975.90 Thousand in December of 2021, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Estonia - Population, aged 15-74 - last updated from the EUROSTAT on July of 2025. Historically, Estonia - Population, aged 15-74 reached a record high of 1070.00 Thousand in December of 2001 and a record low of 965.40 Thousand in December of 2017.

Estonia: Population growth, percent: The latest value from 2023 is 1.28 percent, a decline from 1.34 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 1.15 percent, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for Estonia from 1961 to 2023 is 0.19 percent. The minimum value, -2.57 percent, was reached in 1993 while the maximum of 1.44 percent was recorded in 1964.

In 2020, the median age of the Estonian population was approximately 41.4 years. In 2100, it was expected to exceed 50.7 years. The median age is the age that divides a population into two numerically equal groups; that is, half the people are younger than this age and half are older. It is a single index that summarizes the age distribution of a population.

Estonia: Demographic pressures, 0 (low) - 10 (high): The latest value from 2024 is 2.6 index points, a decline from 2.9 index points in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 5.80 index points, based on data from 176 countries. Historically, the average for Estonia from 2007 to 2024 is 3.39 index points. The minimum value, 1.9 index points, was reached in 2020 while the maximum of 4.8 index points was recorded in 2007.

Abstract

The Population and Housing Census 2000 was prepared and conducted according to the recommendations of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the Statistical Office of the European Communities (Eurostat), which guarantee that the census data are internationally comparable. Also the comparability with the data of previous censuses carried out in Estonia was taken into account. Census 2000 was carried out from March 31 to April 9.

The Statistical Office of Estonia was responsible for conducting the Census. The purpose of the Census was to collect data on the size, composition and distribution of the country's population and access housing stock and conditions. The moment of the Census was 00.00 on 31 March 2000; the data collected in the Census reflect the characteristics of housing and of the population as of the moment of the Census.

The content of the Census data and the data collection methods were developed in the Statistical Office in cooperation with the experts of different fields. Regulation of the Government of the Republic 5 March 1999 approved the Census questionnaires and Census rules.

Geographic coverage

The Census covered all country.

The Statistical Office of Estonia (SOE) launched the mapping programme for the 2000 Population and Housing Census in 1995. After completing the test areas the specifications for the digital Census maps were finalized. According to the Specification, 1:50 000 maps in rural areas and 1:5 000 maps in urban areas were drawn. The specification was optimized to create a cartographic basis for the Census planning (Census area (CA) delineation) and for the Census itself (maps for enumerators, maps for supervisors, etc.). The Census mapping process was outsourced from SOE. The work was done by two companies - one in urban, another in rural areas. The production methodology was different in urban and rural areas. In rural areas, paper maps of the 1989 Census were used as a base source material, digitized by the mapping company and updated by local governments. In urban areas, the existing maps and orthophotos were used as a base source and the maps were updated by the mapping company. For rural and urban areas the municipalities compiled household lists including the number of inhabitants in each building or apartment. The purpose of household lists was to provide information about the number of inhabitants for the delineation of enumeration areas (EA).

The borders of Census units were marked on digital Population Census maps and the maps were printed for Census purposes. SOE stores digital maps in urban areas in Mapinfo, in rural areas in ArcView software and household lists in Foxpro software. The Census maps were ready by December 1999. Digital Population Census maps with the registered borders of administrative and settlement units are the basis for presenting the Census results in a cartographic way and for the development of Census GIS.

Universe

The Census covered: - persons who were in the Republic of Estonia at the moment of the Census (March 31, at 00.00) (excluding the diplomatic staff of foreign diplomatic missions and consular posts and their family members and persons in active service in foreign army); - persons who resided in the Republic of Estonia but who were in foreign states temporarily for a term of up to one year; - diplomatic staff of diplomatic missions and consular posts of the Republic of Estonia and their family members, who were in a foreign state at the moment of the Census; - residential buildings and other buildings used for habitation, and apartments and other dwellings situated therein (excluding buildings of foreign diplomatic missions and consular posts and dwellings situated therein).

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

PHC 2000 was conducted using two types of questionnaires - the Personal Questionnaire containing 31 questions, and the Housing Questionnaire with 12 questions. The Census questionnaires collected personal, household information as well as dwelling data.

1. Personal data include: 1.1. first and surname; personal identification code; 1.2. person’s and his/her parents’ place of birth, person’s permanent place of residence and location at the Census moment, person’s permanent place of residence on 12 January 1989, year of arrival in Estonia, address of the place of work; 1.3. sex, date of birth, citizenship, ethnic nationality, mother tongue, knowledge of languages (answering the question is voluntary), marital status, number of children given birth to, mother’s age at the time of birth of the first child; 1.4. main sources of subsistence, length of working week in the week preceding the Census (number of hours worked), social status (in military service, not working, actively seeking work, ready to start work, student (pupil), pensioner, homemaker, not working for other reasons), name of the main place of work / main employer (answering the question is voluntary), economic activity of the main place of work, employment status at the main place of work (employee with stable contract, other employee, entrepreneur-employer, farmer with salaried employees, self-employed person, freelancer, farmer without salaried employees, contributing family workers in a family enterprise, farm, member of commercial association), occupation at main place of work, length of usual working week; 1.5. level of curriculum that the person has completed or studies currently, highest level of vocational or professional education completed, highest level of general education completed; 1.6. long-term disability or illness determined by the medical commission of experts; 1.7. religious affiliation and faith confessed (answering the question is voluntary).

2. Household data describe: 2.1. type of institution; 2.2. list of household members, relationship of each household member to the reference person, family relationships between the household members, permanent and temporary members of the household, duration of absence of a permanent household member in months, duration of presence of a temporary household member; 2.3. legal basis for the use of the dwelling; 2.4. the links between the household and agricultural activity.

3. Data on dwelling include: 3.1. type, form of ownership, total area, number of rooms, existence of a kitchen, plumbing and heating (water supply system, sewage disposal system, hot water, bath (shower), sauna, flush toilet, electricity, gas, central heating, electric heating); 3.2. address, type and period of construction of the building containing dwellings.

Cleaning operations

Two scanners were used for optical data entry. The application software for data processing were worked out in co-operation with the company AS AboBase Systems and based on Oracle tools. The scanning of the Census questionnaires was performed in 2000 from 10 May to 22 September. During that period 3,505,451 questionnaires were scanned. 135 operators who had passed the training were engaged in the data processing.

Data appraisal

For evaluating the coverage of the Census and the quality of the Census data, a post-enumeration sample survey was organized. It covered about 1% of the population and a stratified random sample of enumeration areas was drawn. The post-enumeration survey was carried out from 14 to 19 April 2000 in 50 enumeration areas. Comparison of the Census data and the data collected in the post-enumeration survey showed that the undercoverage of the Census was on an average 1.2%.

Historical chart and dataset showing Estonia population growth rate by year from 1961 to 2023.

Estonia: Population ages 65 and above, percent of total: The latest value from 2023 is 20.91 percent, an increase from 20.63 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 10.17 percent, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for Estonia from 1960 to 2023 is 14.31 percent. The minimum value, 10.71 percent, was reached in 1960 while the maximum of 20.91 percent was recorded in 2023.

Graph and download economic data for Population, Total for Estonia (POPTOTEEA647NWDB) from 1960 to 2024 about Estonia and population.

The data in the dataset come from the Estonian Statistical Database. Grid-based population data are updated once a year. Census data are georeferenced to building accuracy, which allows data to be aggregated to grid level of different resolution. The building's centroid was used as the basis for aggregating into squares. The data of several buildings within the square were linked to the square where the building's centroid was located. If the population data could not be linked to the building (the data were linked to the building by address and in some cases the address was not identifiable), the data were added in the middle of the village or census station. Counted homeless people are also associated with the village or precinct centre.

The 1 km x 1 km square map of the population covers the whole territory of Estonia, including only inhabited squares. Grid-based data serve as a basis for making competent decisions in the preparation of social plans and development plans, including regional development plans. Grid-based data are used in scientific research, in the private sector mainly to select the best location and to define the target group.

Population ages 15-64 (% of total population) in Estonia was reported at 63.07 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Estonia - Population ages 15-64 (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.