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Background: After centuries of Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940, it regained its freedom in 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been free to promote economic and political ties with Western Europe. It joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.
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Common Name: Estonia
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Local Official Name: Eesti
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Abbreviated Name: Republic of Estonia
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Official Name: Eesti Vabariik
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Official Script Name: Estonia
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Local Common Name: Estonia
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Former Name: Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic
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Territory of: NA
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Head of State: President Toomas Hendrik ILVES
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Government Type: parliamentary republic
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Independence: 1991 August 20 (from Soviet Union)
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Constitution: 1992 June 28(adopted)
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National Holiday: Independence Day, 24 February
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International Organization Participation: Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
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Administrative Divisions: 15 counties (maakonnad, singular - maakond): Harjumaa (Tallinn), Hiiumaa (Kardla), Ida-Virumaa (Johvi), Jarvamaa (Paide), Jogevamaa (Jogeva), Laanemaa (Haapsalu), Laane-Virumaa (Rakvere), Parnumaa (Parnu), Polvamaa (Polva), Raplamaa (Rapla), Saaremaa (Kuressaare), Tartumaa (Tartu), Valgamaa (Valga), Viljandimaa (Viljandi), Vorumaa (Voru)
note: counties have the administrative center name following in parentheses
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Dependent Areas: NA
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Legal System: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
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Suffrage: 18 years
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Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches: Executive Branch:
chief of state: President Toomas Hendrik ILVES (since 9 October 2006)
head of government: Prime Minister Andrus ANSIP (since 12 April 2005)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament
elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); if a candidate does not secure two-thirds of the votes after three rounds of balloting in the Parliament, then an electoral assembly (made up of Parliament plus members of local governments) elects the president, choosing between the two candidates with the largest percentage of votes; election last held 23 September 2006 (next to be held in the fall of 2010); prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament
election results: Toomas Hendrik ILVES elected president on 23 September 2006 by a 345-member electoral assembly; ILVES received 174 votes to incumbent Arnold RUUTEL's 162; the remaining 9 ballots were either left blank or invalid
Legislative Branch:
unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 2 March 2003 (next to be held March 2007)
election results: percent of vote by party - Center Party of Estonia 25.4%, Res Publica 24.6%, Estonian Reform Party 17.7%, Estonian People's Union 13%, Pro Patria Union (Fatherland League) 7.3% People's Party Moodukad 7%; seats by party - Res Publica 26, Center Party 20, Reform Party 19, Estonian People's Union 13, Pro Patria Union 7, Social Democrats (formerly People's Party Moodukad) 6, non-affiliated (Social Liberals and independents) 10
Judicial Branch:
National Court (chairman appointed by Parliament for life)
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Party Leaders: Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) [Edgar SAVISAAR, chairman]; Estonian People's Union (Rahvaliit) [Villu REILJAN, chairman]; Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) [Andrus ANSIP]; Estonian United Russian People's Party or EUVRP [Yevgeniy TOMBERG, chairman]; Pro Patria Union (Isamaaliit) [Tonis LUKAS, chairman]; Res Publica [Taavi VESKIMAGI, chairman]; Social Democratic Party (formerly People's Party Moodukad or Moderates) [Ivari PADAR, chairman]; Social Liberals (group of eight parliamentarians, former Center Party members) [Peeter KREITZBERG]
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International Disputes: in 2005, Russia refuses to sign the 1996 technical border agreement with Estonia when Estonia prepares a unilateral declaration referencing Soviet occupation and territorial losses; Russia demands better accommodation of Russian-speaking population in Estonia; Estonian citizen groups continue to press for realignment of the boundary based on the 1920 Tartu Peace Treaty that would bring the now divided ethnic Setu people and parts of the Narva region within Estonia; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Estonia must implement the strict Schengen border rules
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Illicit Drugs: transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Southwest Asia and the Caucasus via Russia, cocaine from Latin America to Western Europe and Scandinavia, and synthetic drugs from Western Europe to Scandinavia; increasing domestic drug abuse problem; possible precursor manufacturing and/or trafficking; potential money laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking is a concern, as is possible use of the gambling sector to launder funds
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Location of Estonia: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia
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Continent: Europe
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Land Area Total: 45,226 sq km
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Region: Eastern Europe |
Land Area Land: 43,211 sq km
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Capitol City: Tallinn
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Land Area Water: 2,015 sq km
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Current: +2
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Latitude: 059 00 N
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Border Boundary Land: 681 km
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Longitude: 026 00 E
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Border Boundary Coastline: 3,794 km
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Arable Land: 12.05 %
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Pastures: 0.00 %
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Crops: 0.35 %
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Woodlands and Forests: 0.00
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Highest Elevation: 318 m
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Location: Suur Munamagi
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Lowest Elevation: 0 m
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Location: Baltic Sea
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Largest City in Estonia: Tallinn
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Tallinn Largest City Population: 397,000
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Threatened Species: 13
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Environmental Issues: air polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; however, the amount of pollutants emitted to the air have fallen steadily, the emissions of 2000 were 80% less than in 1980; the amount of unpurified wastewater discharged to water bodies in 2000 was one twentieth the level of 1980; in connection with the start-up of new water purification plants, the pollution load of wastewater decreased; Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural areas need to be monitored; coastal seawater is polluted in certain locations
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Environmental Agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ship Pollution, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
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Irrigated Land: 40
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Bordering Countries: Latvia 343 km, Russia 338.6 km
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Natural Resources: oil shale, peat, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand, dolomite, arable land, sea mud
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Geographical Terrain: marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south
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Comparative Area of Estonia: slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined
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Estonia's Geography: the mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded; offshore lie more than 1,500 islands
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Click Here for detailed information about the weather conditions in Estonia.
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General Climate: maritime, wet, moderate winters, cool summers
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Natural Hazards: sometimes flooding occurs in the spring
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Economic Overview: Estonia, as a new member of the World Trade Organization and the European Union, has transitioned effectively to a modern market economy with strong ties to the West, including the pegging of its currency to the euro. The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors and is greatly influenced by developments in Finland, Sweden, and Germany, three major trading partners. The current account deficit remains high; however, the state budget is essentially in balance, and public debt is low.
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GDP: $22,290,000,000 USD
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Currency: Estonian kroon
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GDP per Capita: $16,700 USD
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Currency Code: EEK
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GDP Growth Rate: 9.60 %
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One $USD Equals: %fincurrencyequals% EEK
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Currency Exchange Rate History: krooni per US dollar - 12.584 (2005), 12.596 (2004), 13.856 (2003), 16.612 (2002), 17.478 (2001), note - the krooni is pegged to the euro
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GDP of Agriculture: 4.00 %
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GDP of Industry: 29.40 %
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GDP of Services: 66.60 % |
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Inflation Rate: 4.10 % |
Population in Poverty: 0.00 %
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Unemployment Rate: 7.90 %
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Tourism: 950,000.00 visitors each year
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Consumption by lowest 10%: 3.00 %
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Budget Revenue in USD: $5,126,000,000 USD
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Consumption by upper 10%: 29.80 %
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Budget Expenditures in USD: $5,017,000,000 USD
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Electricity Production: 7,056,000,000 kWh
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Electricity Exports: 1,562,000,000 kWh
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Electricity Consumption: 7,024,000,000 kWh
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Electricity Imports: 200,000,000 kWh
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Electricity Production by Source:
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Fossil Fuel Electricity Production: 99.77%
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Nuclear Electricity Production: 0.00%
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Hydro Electricity Production: 0.06%
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Other Electricity Production: 0.17%
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Oil Production: 6,100 barrels per day
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Natural Gas Production: 0 cu m
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Oil Consumption: 25,000 barrels per day
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Natural Gas Consumption: 1,410,000,000 cu m
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Oil Exports: 0 barrels per day
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Natural Gas Exports: 0 cu m
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Oil Imports: 0 barrels per day
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Natural Gas Imports: 1,270,000,000 cu m
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Proven Oil Reserves: 0 barrels
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Proven Natural Gas Reserves: 0 cu m
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External Debt: $11,030,000,000 USD |
Received in economic aid: $108,000,000 USD
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Donated in economic aid: $0 USD
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Agricultural Products: potatoes, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish
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Primary Industries: engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textile; information technology, telecommunications
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Industrial Growth Rate: 9.70 %
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Import Amount in USD: $9,189,000,000 USD - machinery and equipment 33.5%, chemical products 11.6%, textiles 10.3%, foodstuffs 9.4%, transportation equipment 8.9%
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Import Partners: Finland 19.8%, Germany 13.8%, Russia 9.4%, Sweden 8.8%, Lithuania 6.1%, Latvia 4.7%
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Export Amount in USD: $7,439,000,000 USD - machinery and equipment 33%, wood and paper 15%, textiles 14%, food products 8%, furniture 7%, metals, chemical products
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Export Partners: Finland 26.5%, Sweden 12.9%, Latvia 8.8%, Russia 6.5%, Germany 6.2%, Lithuania 4.8%
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GINI Index: 37.20%
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Labor Force Number of People: 670,000
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Labor Force by Occupations: industry 20%, agriculture 11%, services 69%
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Radio Broadcast Stations: 98 |
Number of People with Radios: 1,010,000 |
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Television Broadcast Stations: 3 |
Number of People with Televisions: 605,000 |
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Number of People with Mainline Telephones: 444,000 |
Number of People with Mobile Phones: 1,255,700 |
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Internet Service Providers: 50,440 |
Internet Users: 670,000 |
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Internet Country Code: .ee |
Newspapers: 174 |
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Two Letter Country Code: EE |
Weights and Measures: |
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Phone Country Code: 372 |
Electricity Voltage: 230 Volts |
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Telephone Systems: general assessment: foreign investment in the form of joint business ventures greatly improved telephone service; substantial fiber-optic cable systems carry telephone, TV, and radio traffic in the digital mode; Internet services are available throughout most of the country
domestic: a wide range of high quality voice, data, and Internet services is available throughout the country
international: country code - 372; fiber-optic cables to Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and Russia provide worldwide packet-switched service; two international switches are located in Tallinn
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Highways: 13,303 km |
Railways: 958 km
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Gas And Oil Pipelines: 859 km |
Waterways: 500 km
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Airports: 12 |
Heliports: 1
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Motor Vehicles: 387 per 1,000 people |
CO2 Emissions: 19,232,000 Metric Tons of CO2 per year |
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Per capita CO2 emissions: 1.30 Metric Tons of CO2 per year |
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Merchant Marines: total: 35 ships (1000 GRT or over) 388,723 GRT/98,393 DWT
by type: cargo 7, passenger/cargo 26, petroleum tanker 2
foreign-owned: 4 (Denmark 2, Norway 2)
registered in other countries: 72 (Antigua and Barbuda 12, Bahamas 1, Belize 3, Cyprus 6, Dominica 11, Isle of Man 2, Liberia 1, Malta 4, Norway 1, Panama 3, Russia 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 25, Slovakia 1, Vanuatu 1)
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Ports and Harbors: Kopli, Kuivastu, Muuga, Tallinn, Virtsu
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Population: 1,324,333 people type - nationality |
Birth Rate: 10.04 births per 1,000 people |
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Population Density: 29.00 people per sq km |
Death Rate: 13.25 deaths per 1,000 people |
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Population Growth: -0.64% per year |
Fertility Rate per Women: 1.40 babies born per woman |
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Population Male 0-14: 103,367 |
Population Female 0-14: 97,587 |
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Population Male 15-64: 427,043 |
Population Female 15-64: 468,671 |
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Population Male 65+: 75,347 |
Population Female 65+: 152,318 |
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Population 0-14: 15.20% |
Literacy Rate: 99.80% |
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Population 15-64: 67.60% |
Literacy rate of Males: 99.80% |
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Population 65+: 17.20% |
Literacy rate of Females: 99.80% |
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Population that is Male: 42.00
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Population that is Female: 58.00% |
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Life expectancy at birth in years: 72.04 years |
Infant mortality rate - baby deaths per 1000 births: 7.73 Babies die per 1,000 births |
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Life expectancy at birth for Males: 66.58 years |
Life expectancy at birth for Females: 77.83 years |
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Rate of AIDS/HIV infection: 1.10%
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Number of people living with AIDS or HIV: 7,800
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Number of people who died of AIDS: 0 |
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Disease Risk:
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Diseases:
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Net Migration Rate per 1,000 people: -3.20
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Nationality: ESTONIAN
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Ethnic Groups: Estonian 67.9%, Russian 25.6%, Ukrainian 2.1%, Belarusian 1.3%, Finn 0.9%, other 2.2%
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Primary Language: Estonian
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Other Languages: Estonian (official) 67.3%, Russian 29.7%, other 2.3%, unknown 0.7%
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Primary Religion: Evangelical Lutheran
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Other Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 13.6%, Orthodox 12.8%, other Christian (including Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal) 1.4%, unaffiliated 34.1%, other and unspecified 32%, none 6.1%
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Branches: Estonian Defense Forces: Land Force, Navy, Air Force, Volunteer Defense League (Kaitseliit, KL)
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Manpower Fit to Serve: 17 years
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Manpower Available: 596,657 People
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Manpower Fit to Serve: 450,733 People
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Amount of Manpower Available each Year: 21,751 People per year
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Expenditures: $155,000,000 USD per year
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Expenditures as a Percentage of GDP: 2.00
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Note: Phrasebase uses a variety of sources when compiling the facts and information presented above. This information is continually updated throughout the year.
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