Quick facts
Estonia population overview
Estonia is the 36th most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 1,335,410 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.5% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 19 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 10,149 births (7.6 per 1,000 people) and 16,559 deaths (12.4 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 668 people. The infant mortality rate is 1.6 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 1,211,537 in 1960 to 1,366,475 in 2025 — a change of +12.8%, or +0.2% per year on average. It peaked at 1,569,174 in 1990 and has declined 15.3% since.
Demographically, the median age is 43.2 years; life expectancy at birth is 79.6 years; women have on average 1.2 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 15.3% of residents are under 15 and 21.8% are 65 or older (2025); 70.7% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Tallinn. Estonia covers 45,340 km², giving a population density of about 29.3 people per km². GDP was $47.03B in 2025 — about $34,418 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Estonia population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 1,329,765 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 1,335,410 |
| World rank | #158 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #36 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 0.016% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.5% |
| Births per year est. | 10,149 |
| Deaths per year est. | 16,559 |
| Net migration per year est. | -668 |
| Birth rate | 7.6 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 12.4 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 1.6 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 91 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 43.2 years |
| Life expectancy | 79.6 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.2 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 70.7% |
| Surface area 2023 | 45,340 km² |
| Population density | 29.3 per km² |
| Capital | Tallinn |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $47.03B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $34,418 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Estonia population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 1,329,765 | – | – |
| 2025 | 1,366,475 | -5,866 | -0.4% |
| 2024 | 1,372,341 | +2,055 | +0.1% |
| 2023 | 1,370,286 | +21,446 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | 1,348,840 | +17,908 | +1.3% |
| 2021 | 1,330,932 | +1,410 | +0.1% |
| 2020 | 1,329,522 | +14,115 | +0.2% |
| 2015 | 1,315,407 | -16,068 | -0.2% |
| 2010 | 1,331,475 | -23,300 | -0.3% |
| 2005 | 1,354,775 | -42,210 | -0.6% |
| 2000 | 1,396,985 | -39,649 | -0.6% |
| 1995 | 1,436,634 | -132,540 | -1.7% |
| 1990 | 1,569,174 | +40,393 | +0.5% |
| 1985 | 1,528,781 | +51,562 | +0.7% |
| 1980 | 1,477,219 | +47,867 | +0.7% |
| 1975 | 1,429,352 | +69,276 | +1% |
| 1970 | 1,360,076 | +65,510 | +1% |
| 1965 | 1,294,566 | +83,029 | +1.3% |
| 1960 | 1,211,537 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Estonia
Population over time
- From 1,211,537 in 1960 to 1,329,765 today — up 9.8%.
- Population peaked at 1,569,174 in 1990 and is down 15.3% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.4% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 79.3 years (2024), up 10.5 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.2 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 7.1 births vs 11.5 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Deaths outnumber births — natural decrease of 4.4 per 1,000 a year.
Age structure
- 15.3% of the population is under 15 and 21.8% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 10.7% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 10.65 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 41.69 Mt in 1982 — down 74.5% since.
- Per person: 7.76 t in 2024, vs 15.7 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 2,708.8 kg of oil equivalent per person (2024), down 60.3% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 38% of final energy in 2021 (+34.5 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 57.1% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 52.2% to 57.1% since 1992 — roughly 2,209 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 70.7% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 57.6% in 1960 (+13.1 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 9.5% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 9,423 m³ in 2022, up 13.7% since 1992.
Economy
- GDP: $47.03B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 101.7% since 2015.
- That works out to $34,418 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 8.3% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 4.8% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 92.2% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 151.1 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Estonia in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Estonia in 2026?
As of October 2026, Estonia has an estimated population of 1,329,765. The United Nations estimated 1,335,410 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.5% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Estonia growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.5% per year — roughly 19 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 10,149 births and 16,559 deaths, with net migration of -668.
What is the population density of Estonia?
About 29.3 people per square kilometre: 1,329,765 people living on 45,340 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Estonia?
The median age is 43.2 years, and life expectancy at birth is 79.6 years. 15.3% of the population is under 15 and 21.8% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Estonia rank by population?
Estonia is the 158th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 36th in Europe, with 0.016% of the global population.
How has the population of Estonia changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 1,211,537; by 2025 it had grown to 1,366,475 (+12.8%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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Timor-LesteSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.5%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.