Estonia experiences population decrease in the year 2024.
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A Look Into Estonia's 2024 Population Statistics
According to Statistics Estonia, on the first day of 2025, Estonia's population stood at 1,369,995, marking a decline of almost 5,000 people. Last year saw 9,690 births and a staggering 15,756 deaths, reflecting ongoing demographic challenges for the nation.
Terje Trasberg, a team lead of population and education statistics at Statistics Estonia, highlighted that in 2024, 18,634 individuals immigrated to Estonia while 17,260 emigrated, resulting in a net migration of 1,374 people. Despite the positive net migration, the population still took a hit, as the negative natural increase deepened compared to previous years, making it difficult for the positive net migration to compensate.
Record-Low Birth Rates and a Rising Average Age of Mothers
For the first time in the history of Estonian population statistics, which dates back to 1919, the number of births in 2024 was below 10,000. Compared to the previous year, births saw a decline of 11.5%. The average age of first-time mothers continues to rise—increasing by more than two years compared to 10 years ago, standing at 28.9 years, one year lower than the EU average.
Net Migration Takes a Hit Since 2016
There were 15,800 deaths in 2024, similar to both 2023 and the pre-pandemic period. The three-year decline in the number of births continued in 2024, and deepened further in the past year, leading to a new negative birth rate record. Last year, 18,634 people migrated to Estonia and 17,260 left, resulting in a net migration of 1,374—the lowest since 2016.
Ukrainian Migration and Emigration Trends
Last year, there were half as many Ukrainian citizens arriving in Estonia compared to the previous year, but emigration increased. In comparison, immigration of Russian citizens fell significantly, resulting in a negative net migration for the first time in two decades. Overall, eighty-two percent of Estonia's population are of Estonian citizenship, six percent of Russian citizenship, five percent of Ukrainian citizenship, and so on. The number of people of Estonian ethnic nationality increased by almost 3,000, while the number of ethnic Russians fell by more than 10,000.
A Closer Look at Record-Low Birth Rates
Estonia's population decline in 2024 was mainly driven by record-low birth rates and ongoing demographic challenges, with the three-year decline in births deepening further. The declines typically stem from low fertility rates and outmigration, but Estonia's slower decline compared to other Baltic states suggests that immigration partially offsets losses. However, the 2024 data emphasizes low birth rates as the critical driving factor.
- The record-low birth rates in Estonia in 2024 resulted in a population decline, despite a positive net migration of 1,374 people.
- The average age of first-time mothers in Estonia has been steadily increasing, reaching 28.9 years in 2024, one year lower than the EU average.
- In 2024, Estonia saw the lowest net migration since 2016, with 18,634 individuals immigrating and 17,260 emigrating.
- The number of Ukrainian citizens arriving in Estonia decreased, while emigration increased in 2024, resulting in a negative net migration for this group for the first time in two decades.
- The general-news surrounding Estonia in 2024 was significantly influenced by the nation's record-low birth rates and the ongoing demographic challenges they present for the future of the Estonian population.
