World Happiness Report for Estonia 2024
- Overall Happiness Rank Estonia: 34
- Happiness Score Estonia:6.448
Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.
What is the Happiness Index?
The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.
How is the Happiness Index Calculated?
The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.
In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:
- GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
- Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
- Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
- Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
- Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
- Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.
These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.
What Does the Happiness Index Affect?
The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:
- Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
- Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
- Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
- Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.
By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.
Short information
- Abbreviation of Estonia. EE.
Estonia is a country in northern Europe.
- It is a parliamentary republic with a president as the head of state.
- Estonia has a rich cultural heritage, known for its traditional music, dance, and handicrafts.
- The country has a highly developed economy, particularly in information technology and digital innovation.
- Estonia is the birthplace of Skype.
- The country has an extensive network of forests, making up almost 50% of its land area.
Estonia – A Comprehensive Overview
Early History
The territory of modern-day Estonia was first inhabited around 8,500 BC after the last glacial period. The earliest known settlers were the Finno-Ugric people, ancestors of the Estonians. In the late Iron Age, the area was divided into several counties, including Saaremaa, Läänemaa, and Virumaa.
Kingdoms and Empires
In the 13th century, the territory of Estonia was conquered by the Teutonic Knights and became part of the Livonian Confederation. Estonia remained under German control until the 16th century when it was divided between Denmark and Sweden. In the 18th century, Estonia came under Russian rule as a part of the Governorate of Estonia.
Colonial Period
Estonia was governed by various colonial powers throughout its history, including Denmark, Sweden, Germany, and Russia. During the Russian Empire, Estonia experienced a period of cultural awakening known as the Estonian National Awakening, which played a significant role in the development of Estonian national identity.
Independence and Modern Era
Estonia declared independence from the Russian Empire in 1918 but was occupied by the Soviet Union in 1940. After regaining independence in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Estonia underwent a period of economic and political transformation, joining the European Union and NATO in 2004.
Current Political Situation
Estonia is a parliamentary republic with a unicameral legislature, the Riigikogu. The current president is Alar Karis, and the prime minister is Kaja Kallas. Recent elections have been competitive and considered free and fair.
International Relations
Estonia is a member of the European Union, NATO, and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It maintains close ties with its Baltic neighbors, Latvia and Lithuania, and has been a strong supporter of Ukraine in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Human Development and Economy
Estonia has a high-income advanced economy with a strong focus on services, particularly information technology and telecommunications. The country ranks highly on the Human Development Index, with a well-educated population and high standards of living.
Cultural Highlights
Estonia has a rich cultural heritage, including its traditional folk music, literature, and arts. The country is predominantly Lutheran Christian, with a significant Russian Orthodox minority. Estonian and Russian are the primary languages spoken.
In summary, Estonia faces challenges in maintaining its economic competitiveness, addressing demographic trends, and navigating regional security concerns, while opportunities exist in furthering technological innovation, strengthening democratic institutions, and promoting cultural exchange.
Travel Tips for Estonia
• Best times to visit: Summer (June to August) for warm weather and outdoor activities; Winter (December to February) for a chance to experience Estonian winter traditions and Northern Lights.
• Cultural etiquette: Greet with a firm handshake, dress conservatively, and avoid public displays of affection. Estonians value punctuality and personal space.
• Safety precautions: Estonia is generally safe, but exercise caution in areas frequented by tourists and be mindful of pickpockets. Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas.
• Must-see landmarks: Old Town Tallinn (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Kadriorg Palace and Park, Kumu Art Museum, Pärnu Beach Resort, Lahemaa National Park.
• Culinary experiences: Try local dishes like verivorst (blood sausage), kama (traditional bread), and Estonian craft beers. Forage for wild berries and mushrooms in the summer.
Main facts
1. Location
Estonia is a country in Northern Europe, situated in the Baltic region. It borders the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland, sharing land borders with Latvia to the south and Russia to the east.
2. Map References
Estonia is located in the Northern European region.
3. Area – Comparative
With an area of 45,227 square kilometers (17,462 square miles), Estonia is slightly smaller than the U.S. state of New Hampshire or the country of Denmark.
4. Land Boundaries and Border Countries
Estonia shares land borders with two countries:
5. Coastline (if applicable)
Estonia has a coastline of 3,794 km (2,357 mi) along the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland.
6. Maritime Claims
Estonia claims the following maritime zones:
- Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles
- Exclusive economic zone: Present
- Continental shelf: 200 meters depth or to the depth of exploitation
7. Climate
Estonia has a humid continental climate, with warm summers and cold winters. The climate is influenced by the Baltic Sea, resulting in a more maritime climate in coastal areas.
8. Terrain
Estonia’s terrain is mostly flat, with marshes and bogs covering about a fifth of the country. The highest elevations are found in the southeast, where the low Sakala and Pandivere Uplands rise to around 300 meters (984 feet).
9. Elevation Extremes
The lowest point in Estonia is the Baltic Sea at 0 meters, while the highest point is Suur Munamägi at 318 meters (1,043 feet) above sea level.
10. Natural Resources
Estonia’s major natural resources include:
- Oil shale
- Peat
- Phosphorite
- Limestone
- Forests
11. Major Bodies of Water
The major bodies of water in Estonia include:
12. Natural Hazards
The main natural hazards in Estonia are:
- Storms along the Baltic coast
- Flooding
13. Geography – Notes
Estonia is a flat country with over 1,500 islands dotting the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland. The country is heavily forested, with forests covering around half of its total land area. Estonia also has a vast number of bogs and marshes, which provide unique habitats for various plant and animal species.
- Forest Area (% of land area): 51.30%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
- Co2 Emissions: 16,59. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
- Agricultural Land( %). 23.10%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
- Geographic Coordinates: 58.59527225.013607.
- Capital: The capital of Estonia is Tallinn
- Major Cities:
- Tallinn – Population: 437,619
- Tartu – Population: 93,445
- Narva – Population: 55,596
- Pärnu – Population: 40,177
- Kohtla-Järve – Population: 36,189
- Population: 1,331,824
- Area(Km2): 45228
- Population Density( P/Km²):31. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
- Calling Code:372
- Official Language(s):Estonia is Estonian (official) 68.5% and Russian 29.6%
- Currency: EUR
Main Economic Indicators
Estonia’s economy is a modern market economy with strong trade ties to Finland, Sweden, Germany, and Russia. It has a high-income advanced economy and ranks highly in terms of income, freedom of the press, education, and internet freedom. The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors, with the latter being underpinned by Estonia’s successful economic liberalization following re-establishment of independence. Key economic challenges include addressing labor shortages, reducing bureaucracy, and integrating non-ethnic Estonians.
Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)
2021: 4.5% (Source: Statistics Estonia)
2020: -0.6% (Source: Statistics Estonia)
Credit Ratings
Fitch: AA- (Stable Outlook)
Moody’s: A1 (Stable Outlook)
Standard & Poor’s: AA- (Positive Outlook)
GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin
Agriculture: 2.4%
Industry: 21.2%
Services: 76.4%
Key Agricultural and Industrial Products
Agricultural Products: Milk, wheat, barley, potatoes, rapeseed, pork, triticale
Industrial Products: Electrical equipment, wood and wood products, machinery, vehicles and parts, textiles, metals
Labor Force
Total Labor Force: 693,000 (2022 est.)
Comparative Ranking: 151 out of 195 countries
Current Account Balance
2020: $1.06 billion (surplus)
2019: $1.19 billion (surplus)
Comparative Ranking: 37 out of 189 countries (2020 est.)
Exports and Imports
Exports: $16.92 billion (2021 est.)
Key Partners: Finland, Sweden, Latvia, Germany, Netherlands
Main Commodities: Machinery and electrical equipment, wood and wood products, mineral fuels, metals
Imports: $21.66 billion (2021 est.)
Key Partners: Finland, Germany, Lithuania, Sweden, Latvia
Main Commodities: Machinery and electrical equipment, mineral fuels, transport equipment, metals
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
Foreign Exchange Reserves: $3.818 billion (31 December 2021 est.)
Gold Reserves: 0.24 million ounces (2021 est.)
- GDP (Current US$):$31,386,949,981. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
- Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 20.90%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
- Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 47.80%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
- Gasoline Price. $1.14. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
- Minimum wage. $3.14. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
- Unemployment Rate (%): 5.11%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.
Social Indicators
1. National Identity
Nationality: noun – Estonian(s), adjective – Estonian
2. Ethnic Groups
Major ethnic groups:
– Estonians (68.5%)
– Russians (24.8%)
– Ukrainians (1.7%)
– Belarusians (1%)
– Finns (0.6%)
– Others (3.4%)
3. Religions
Religious affiliations:
– Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church (9.9%)
– Orthodox Christianity (16.1%)
– Other Christian (0.9%)
– Unaffiliated (68.5%)
– Other/None (4.6%)
4. Age Structure
Age distribution:
– 0-14 years: 16.1%
– 15-64 years: 63.8%
– 65 years and over: 20.1%
5. Dependency Ratios
Dependency ratios:
– Total dependency ratio: 56.4
– Youth dependency ratio: 24.9
– Elderly dependency ratio: 31.5
6. Median Age
Median age:
– Total: 42.6 years
– Males: 39.6 years
– Females: 45.5 years
7. Lifestyle Indicators
Relevant lifestyle statistics:
– Obesity rate: 20.4% of the population
– Alcohol consumption: 10.8 liters of pure alcohol per capita per year
– Tobacco use: 27.3% of adults (aged 15+) smoke tobacco
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 78.2. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
- Literacy Rate (% of adults): 99.8%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
- Birth Rate:10.9. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
- Death Rate:14. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
- Fertility Rate: 1.59. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
- Internet Users (% of population): 91.2%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
- Urban Population: 916,024. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
- Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):22.80%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.
Infrastructure and Services
Military and Security Forces
The Estonian Defence Forces consist of the Estonian Army, Estonian Navy, and Estonian Air Force. Special units include the Infantry Scout Battalion and the Scouts Battalion. The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board maintains internal security and border protection.
Military Expenditures
Estonia’s military spending as a percentage of GDP for the last five years:
- 2022: 2.3%
- 2021: 2.3%
- 2020: 2.3%
- 2019: 2.1%
- 2018: 2.1%
Estonia ranks among the top 20 countries globally in terms of military spending as a share of GDP.
Personnel Strengths
The total active-duty military personnel is approximately 6,500, with the following breakdown:
- Estonian Army: 4,000
- Estonian Navy: 500
- Estonian Air Force: 500
The Estonian Defence League (national guard) has around 25,000 members.
Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions
Estonia’s military equipment includes main battle tanks, armored personnel carriers, self-propelled artillery, and various small arms from Western sources. The country has recently acquired additional anti-tank and air defense systems. Future acquisitions are focused on enhancing military mobility and anti-access/area denial capabilities.
Military Service Age and Obligation
Military service is compulsory for male citizens aged 18-27. The service obligation is 8 or 11 months, depending on the branch. Estonia also has a voluntary territorial defense force (Estonian Defence League).
Military Deployments
Estonia currently contributes around 300 personnel to NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence in Poland and Lithuania. It has also participated in various international missions, including in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Strategic Military Notes
Estonia’s defense strategy is focused on territorial defense and deterrence, with a particular emphasis on countering potential Russian aggression. The country is a member of NATO and closely cooperates with its allies on security matters. Estonia also contributes to international peacekeeping and crisis management operations.
- Armed Forces Size: 7100. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
- Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 4.48
- Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 63.60%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.