The population of Estonia and ethnic composition

In a state of depopulation, Estonia is a quarter of a century old. Some demographers predict an absolute extinction of the country in a hundred years: each generation of Estonians is smaller in comparison with the previous one, so it will continue. This pessimistic scenario is not able to brighten up the demographic statistics of this year. Positive dynamics, but due to migrants. The authorities even assure the European Union of their hospitality, but Estonian society wants to increase at the expense of indigenous people and is not particularly happy with the influx of foreigners. Estonians are well understood by the neighbors - Latvians and Lithuanians, whose numbers are also shrinking.

The Baltic demographic crisis

The population of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia began to decline from the collapse of the Soviet Union. The last twenty-five years of stay in a single EU space did not contribute to the growth of the number of citizens.

Estonia's population has decreased by fifteen percent since 1991, Latvia by twenty-six percent, Lithuania by twenty-three percent:

• Estonia, 1991 - 1 561 million people / 2016 - 1 316 million people;
• Latvia, 1991 - 2,658 million people / 2016 - 1,900 million people;
• Lithuania, 1991 - 3,700 million people / 2016 - 2,800 million people.

To understand how a demographic minus appears, you need to consider two indicators: what is the natural profit or loss of the population, i.e. The ratio of births and deaths, and the level of migration.

These figures for Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have been negative for many years. Dies more than it is born, and the number of those who have left is much more who entered the country.

Natural decline and migration in the Baltic States

For a quarter of a century demographers give statistics reflecting the population decline for natural reasons and as a result of leaving the Baltic countries. The population of Estonia decreased by natural causes by ninety thousand, due to migration - by one hundred fifteen thousand people. The population of Latvia has decreased by almost seven hundred thousand people, more than half of the citizens have emigrated. One hundred and eighty-three thousand people lost Lithuania for a quarter of a century for natural reasons, the result of migration is the loss of six hundred and seventy thousand people.

The reasons for the decrease in the population of Estonia

In Estonia, the reasons for depopulation are not seen in the economic and political aspect, but in the historical one. Seriously, the birth rate fell on the eve of the twentieth century, and later it was not possible to increase life expectancy. Another reason, according to experts, rests in the Soviet era. The migration flows increased, the mechanical increase was positive. However, by 1991, those who moved to Estonia in the forties and fifties began to grow old, and those who die are more than those who are able to give birth.

Fertility has also declined because of the change in views on the age when it is time to become parents. Previously, women gave birth until the age of twenty-two, today they do not hurry to become mothers, the birth of the first child is postponed. Young people want to first get on their feet, buy housing, a car.

Population of Estonia by years

The natural increase, the total population growth and the migration growth of Estonia are beginning to decline in 1991. Population dynamics in Estonia:

• 1980: 1,472,190 people;
• 1990: 1,570,599;
• 1995: 1,448,075;
• 2000 - 1,372,710 people; Natural increase - minus 5 336, total increase - minus 7 116, migration processes - 1 830 people;
• 2013 - 1 320 174 people; Natural increase - minus 1 713, the total increase - minus 5 043, migration processes - 3 300 people;

In 2016, more than fourteen thousand people were born in Estonia, fifteen and a half thousand died. Natural increase - minus one and a half thousand, migration processes - more than two thousand people.

Change in the ethnic composition of Estonia

The ethnic composition of Estonia has changed over the past thirty years. But not significantly. Considering the population of Estonia, the following data are obtained:

• 1989: Estonians 61.5%, Russians 30.3%, Ukrainians 3.1, Belarusians 1.8, Finns 1.1,
• 2011: Estonians 68.7%, Russians 24.8%, Ukrainians 1.7%, Belarusians 1.0, Finns 0.6%;
• 2016: Estonians 69%, Russians 25%, Ukrainians 1.7%, Belarusians 1%, Finns 0.6%.

Russians live mainly in the capital of Estonia - Tallinn. The most "Russian" city of Estonia is Narva, where ninety-seven percent of Russians are by nationality.

Cities of Estonia by population

The list of cities by population is headed by Tallinn - 440 702 people. Then you can make the ten most populated areas of the republic (people):

1. Tartu - 97,322.
2. Narva - 58,375.
3. Pärnu - 39,784.
4. Kastla-Jarve - 36 662,
5. Viljandi - 17,549.
6. Maardu - 17 141.
7. Rakvere - 15,303.
8. Sillamäe - 13,964.
9. Kuressaare - 13,000.
10. Jõhvi - 12,567.

Less than the entire population in Püssi, a little over a thousand people; In Kallast and Myszakyl - for eight hundred people.

How migration affects the demography of Estonia

The mechanical increase leads to a decrease in demography. During the Soviet period, many ethnicities came to Estonia, because a Ministry of Foreign Affairs was created here, through which Jews, ethnic Germans and Finns could leave for their historical homeland.

And the population in Estonia was very mobile. For example, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, many did not want to stay and left the country. Has increased emigration. But after 2011, the reverse process began.

Today the population of Estonia continues to decrease and grow old. The statistics department of the republic cites such calculations: for a quarter of a century the population of the country has decreased by 200 000 people, by 2040 the population will fall by another 10%.

Resettlement of Balts

For the Baltic States, a massive problem is the mass departure of citizens to other countries. And half of those who left Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are people from 18 to 30 years old, 70% - from fourteen to forty years old.

From Latvia and Lithuania, most move to Britain and Scandinavia. A small number emigrate to the US, Russia and Canada. Estonians mostly choose Finland.

By the rate of population loss, Latvia and Lithuania are among the European leaders. In 2016, Latvia left 8,000 more than it arrived. Lithuania - for 30 000 people.

Only Estonia managed to break the sad trend. The country is experiencing slow demographic growth due to migration. For 2015-2016 years. Estonia left 19 000 people, but returned or came to live 24 500.

In a situation where the demographic minus is expected to grow, the Balts have nothing to do but increase the population through an attractive social policy for migrants. Lithuania, for example, offers the easiest way to obtain a residence permit in the European Union and a low tax rate for entrepreneurs. Foreign students in Estonia can stay in the country after receiving a diploma.

But a greater effect in the Baltic countries is expected from measures aimed at increasing the birth rate.

Child support in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

In Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania free-of-charge delivery is organized in state maternity homes, as well as a doctor's appointment, tests and ultrasound. But those who wish can pay for additional comfort:

• A separate room - from 50 to 80 € per day;
• The opportunity to choose a specific doctor - from 400 to 600 €;
• An individual approach to childbirth - from 50 to 1,000 €.

The duration of the leave to take care of a child in Estonia is three years, in Lithuania - two years, in Latvia - one and a half years.

In each republic, parents are considered differently.

One-time payment for the birth of a child in Lithuania exceeds 400 €; Payment of maternity leave in the amount of four mother's wages; Allowance to the father is equal to one annual leave.

One-time payment in Latvia is about 420 €. Payment of maternity leave - 43% of the mother's salary. Childcare allowance up to two years - 3 300 €. The amount of the first child's benefit is 11 € each, paid monthly until the sixteenth birthday.

In Estonia, a one-time one-time benefit is 320 €. The payment of maternity leave takes into account the level of the average salary. Child allowance up to sixteen years - 50 € monthly. The amount of such parental benefit up to one and a half years depends on the salary of the parents. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the country now belongs to the European Union, the standard of living is steadily rising, salaries are rising, and material assistance is provided to various segments of the population.

In addition, the country has various programs to support large families. For example, an Estonian family with three children only receives child allowances for five hundred euros a month. In Latvia, the allowance is less and is seventy euros.