Demographics of Estonia

Demographics of Estonia
Population1,374,687 (2024)
Growth rate+2.6% (2022)
Birth rate8.63 births/1,000 population (2022)
Death rate12.84 deaths/1,000 population (2022)
Life expectancy79.0 years (2023)
 • male74.5 years
 • female83.1 years
Fertility rate1.31 children born/woman (2023)
Infant mortality rate2.20 deaths/1,000 live births
Net migration rate+5.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021)
Age structure
0–14 years16.35%
15–64 years63.22%
65 and over20.43%
Sex ratio
Total0.91 male(s)/female (2021 census)
Under 151.05 male(s)/female
65 and over0.54 male(s)/female
Nationality
NationalityEstonian
Major ethnicEstonians (67.8%)
Minor ethnicRussians (22.0%)
Language
OfficialEstonian
SpokenEstonian, Russian, English
Estonia animated population pyramid

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.[citation needed]

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.[4] Since 2016 immigration has exceeded emigration, making the overall population grow.[5]

Census population and growth rate
YearPop.±% p.a.
1881881,455—    
1897958,351+0.52%
19221,107,059+0.58%
19341,126,413+0.14%
19411,017,475−1.44%
19591,196,791+0.91%
19701,356,079+1.14%
19791,464,476+0.86%
19891,565,662+0.67%
20001,370,052−1.21%
20111,294,455−0.51%
20211,331,824+0.29%
20241,374,687+1.06%
Source:[6][7]
  1. ^ Esslemont, Tom (2011-08-26). "Spirituality in Estonia – the world's 'least religious' country". BBC News. Retrieved 2018-04-27.
  2. ^ Welch, Derek (2018-04-01). "Europe is Moving Away from Organized Religion – World Religion News". World Religion News. Retrieved 2018-04-27.
  3. ^ "Religion in Estonia". Retrieved 2018-04-27.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Population by sex and age group, 1 January was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "Last year, immigration exceeded emigration for the first time after the restoration of independence in Estonia - Statistics Estonia". Archived from the original on 2016-08-28. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
  6. ^ "PHC2011 – History of Population Censuses in Estonia". stat.ee. Archived from the original on 2021-02-28. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference final21 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).