English
Español
中文
हिन्दी
Français
Estonia
Eesti
Declare Your Relationship to Estonia
CountryReports Community
- Studying1
- From Estonia0
- Estonia heritage0
- Visited2
- Want to visit0
Customs and Culture
Customs and Culture
Cultural Attributes
Estonians are generally well educated and possess a wide range of skills. They like orderliness, hard work and efficiency. Estonians are generally shy and withdrawn. However among friends they are quite hospitable.
Digital Nation of the Baltic
Get More Customs and Culture
5 more cultural topics for members
Social Customs & Etiquette · Diet · Family · Dating Customs · Recreation
Holidays
Independence Day
2/24Independence Day
24 February 1918 is the date Estonia declared its independence from Soviet Russia; 20 August 1991 is the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union
Christmas
12/25Christmas
The Jõulud (Christmas) season extends from Advent to Epiphany, with the main holidays being Christmas Eve and the two days following Christmas. In southern Estonia Christmas is known as Talvistepüha (Winter Holiday). Christmas trees are decorated with small toys, sweets and candles. On Christmas Eve the President makes a declaration of “Christmas Peace” a tradition practiced since the seventeenth century. Following Christmas Eve church service, families put candles on the on the graves of ancestors. Christmas Day is a time for immediate family, while the rest of the season is a time for entertaining friends and guests.
Seven to twelve different meals are served on Christmas Eve symbolizing bounty for the coming year. The menu consist of pork with sauerkraut, “white” and “blood” sausages, Christmas barrow (bread), ale and mead. A fire must burn through the Christmas Eve night to dispel evil spirits.
Dates of Interest
- December 25th
The Jõulud (Christmas) season extends from Advent to Epiphany, with the main holidays being Christmas Eve and the two days following Christmas. In southern Estonia Christmas is known as Talvistepüha (Winter Holiday). Christmas trees are decorated with small toys, sweets and candles. On Christmas Eve the President makes a declaration of “Christmas Peace” a tradition practiced since the seventeenth century. Following Christmas Eve church service, families put candles on the on the graves of ancestors. Christmas Day is a time for immediate family, while the rest of the season is a time for entertaining friends and guests. Seven to twelve different meals are served on Christmas Eve symbolizing bounty for the coming year. The menu consist of pork with sauerkraut, “white” and “blood” sausages, Christmas barrow (bread), ale and mead. A fire must burn through the Christmas Eve night to dispel evil spirits.
How do people greet each other in Estonia?
Estonians usually shake hands when meeting and departing, maintain eye contact and often talk with their hands. Younger people greet elders first and men greet women first.
Do
- Shake hands when meeting and departing
- Maintain eye contact when speaking
- Let young people greet elders first, and men greet women first
- Say 'teie' when meeting someone for the first time
Don’t
- Don't use first names until invited to do so
- Don't chew gum in public as an adult
What are Estonian eating customs like?
Lunch is the biggest meal of the day, typically meat and potatoes with gravy and a salad. Most Estonians are health conscious and try to eat fresh fruits and vegetables.
Good to know
- Sult is often eaten as part of Christmas dinner
- Pizza and hamburgers are becoming popular lunchtime favorites
What etiquette should I know in Estonia?
Estonians value orderliness, punctuality and efficiency; they can be shy and withdrawn but are quite hospitable among friends.
Do
- Be on time — call ahead if you'll be late
- Look people in the eyes
Don’t
- Don't arrive 30 minutes late, as it is considered a social error
Good to know
- The half hour is counted before the hour, not after it
How should I dress in Estonia?
Western-style clothing is typically worn. Men dress conservatively with an optional tie, while women dress sharply, valuing quality over fashion.
Good to know
- For men, wearing a tie is optional
- For women, the quality of clothing impresses more than the fashion
What gestures matter in Estonia?
Estonians talk with their hands and consider it polite to look people in the eyes.
Do
- Look people in the eyes
What is family life like in Estonia?
It is common for both husband and wife to work, so school children often get home earlier than their parents and spend that time home alone.
What do Estonians do for recreation?
Estonians enjoy basketball, skiing, soccer and yachting, and many, especially women, like gardening.
Good to know
- There are many yachting clubs
Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports
Photos of Estonia
Photos of Estonia
Travel and Tourism
Travel and Tourism
- Travel Alert Status
- Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
- Currency
- 0.8985
- Time Difference
- UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- Climate
- The climate is northern continental, with long winters and short summers. Winter begins in October and lasts often well into April. Snowcover is common from mid or late November to the latter half of March. Cloud cover and slate gray skies are typical between October and early February, when drier and sunnier days arrive. Mean January temperatures are 22°-25°F(-4°-6°C). The Gulfs of Finland and Riga only freeze over during the coldest winters. In addition to being cold and snowy, winter months are characterized by shortened daylight, a result of Estonia's northern latitude (59°N). When days are at their shortest, daylight is present only between 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Prevailing gray skies from November through January make daylight seem even more fleeting. The sun, when it shines, hugs the horizon, thus giving the impression that it is early morning or late afternoon even at midday. It is often difficult to say exactly when winter ends and spring begins. After the Vernal Equinox (March 21), daylight increases dramatically. Most days in late March, April, and May are sunny. Daytime temperatures, however, may still remain in the 30°-45°F range into late April, and it is not safe to put winter clothing into storage until late May. Occasional snow flurries and light snow are possible even through May. Summer in Estonia is a short, magical season. July and August temperatures are the warmest, averaging 67°-75°F (19°-24°C). Mornings are cooler and the late afternoon can warm up to the low-80”™s. The surface water temperature in the Baltic Sea is from 60°-78°F (16°-26°C). The heaviest rains occur in July and August, but they are usually passing showers. During summer months, Estonia benefits from its northern latitude, with daylight extending long into evening hours and reappearing well before earliest risers are out of bed. From early June to mid-July, there is no real "nighttime." The short autumn can start as early as late August and is generally cool and rainy.
- Airports
- 29
Read the full travel guide — health, safety, vaccinations, disease risk, sanitation, and transit details.
View full travel guideRecipes
Recipes
History
History
Historical Eras
Ancient & Pre-Crusade
8000 BCE – 1227
Finno-Ugric peoples settled the eastern Baltic coast following the last Ice Age, developing distinct parish and county structures without centralized statehood. Trade contacts with Scandinavian Vikings and Slavic tribes shaped early Estonian society. The region remained largely free, governed through loosely federated local communities, until German crusaders began their eastward campaign in the early thirteenth century.
Livonian Era
1227 – 1561
German Teutonic Knights and Danish forces conquered Estonian lands by 1227, incorporating them into the Livonian confederation and reducing the indigenous population to serfdom. The Hanseatic League brought commercial prosperity to Tallinn, Tartu, Pärnu, and Narva, even as Estonian peasants bore the burden of feudal subjugation. A major peasant uprising in 1343–45 briefly challenged German-Danish dominance but was ultimately crushed, leaving the social order intact for another two centuries.
Swedish Rule
1561 – 1710
Following the collapse of the Livonian confederation amid Ivan IV's invasion, Sweden gradually secured control of northern Estonia, formalizing it as the Duchy of Estland by 1629. Swedish governance brought relative stability and notable cultural advances, including the founding of Tartu University in 1632 and the establishment of the first Estonian-language parish schools in the 1680s. Decades of prior warfare had devastated the population, though recovery began under Swedish suzerainty even as the Baltic German nobility retained its privileged status.
Tsarist Russian Rule
1710 – 1918
Peter the Great's victory in the Great Northern War delivered Estland and Livland to the Russian Empire in 1710, inaugurating nearly two centuries of tsarist dominion. The Baltic German nobility preserved its legal privileges under Russian rule, while Estonian national consciousness gradually awakened in the nineteenth century, accelerated by the abolition of serfdom between 1816 and 1819 and a cultural renaissance known as the National Awakening. Revolutionary upheaval in 1905 and tsarist repression of Baltic demands sharpened independence aspirations, which came to fruition when Tsar Nicholas II abdicated in 1917.
First Independence
1918 – 1940
Estonia proclaimed independence on 24 February 1918 and successfully defended it in the War of Independence (1918–1920) against both Bolshevik and German forces, securing recognition through the Treaty of Tartu with Soviet Russia in 1920. A democratic constitution was adopted in 1920, land reform redistributed the estates of the Baltic German nobility, and Estonia joined the League of Nations in 1921. Political instability led to an authoritarian turn when Konstantin Päts declared a state of emergency in 1934, though Estonia retained nominal constitutional governance until Soviet occupation extinguished independence in 1940.
Soviet Occupation & Restored Independence
1940 – present
The Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact enabled the Soviet Union to forcibly annex Estonia in 1940; Nazi occupation followed from 1941 to 1944, after which Soviet rule resumed and mass deportations reshaped the country's demography and culture. The Singing Revolution of the late 1980s galvanized peaceful mass resistance, and Estonia restored full independence on 20 August 1991 following the collapse of the USSR. The last Russian troops withdrew in 1994, and Estonia joined NATO and the European Union in 2004, firmly anchoring itself in the Western political and economic order.
Overview
Estonia’s struggles for independence during the twentieth century were in large part a reaction to nearly 700 years of foreign rule. Before 1200 the Estonians lived largely as free peasants loosely organized into parishes (kihelkonnad
Timeline of Key Events
1 – 100
Early Baltic peoples experience rapid cultural progress.
Early Baltic peoples experience rapid cultural progress and expansion of trade with Roman Empire and Germanic tribes.
701 – 1300
Scandinavian Vikings and, subsequently, Slavic tribes engage in trade and war with Baltic peoples.
Scandinavian Vikings and, subsequently, Slavic tribes engage in trade and war with Baltic peoples.
1343 – 1345
Estonian peasant uprising prompts Danes to relinquish control of northern Estonia to Germans.
Estonian peasant uprising prompts Danes to relinquish control of northern Estonia to Germans.
1584
Northern Estonia incorporated into Sweden’s Duchy of Estland.
Northern Estonia incorporated into Sweden’s Duchy of Estland.
1710
Russian tsar Peter I (the Great) succeeds in wresting control of Estland and Livland.
Russian tsar Peter I (the Great) succeeds in wresting control of Estland and Livland (southern Estonia and northern Latvia) from Sweden.
1816 – 1819
Serfdom formally abolished in Estland and Livland.
Serfdom formally abolished in Estland and Livland.
1905
Tsarist Russian authorities respond with violence and repression to Baltic demands.
Tsarist Russian authorities respond with violence and repression to Baltic demands for radical political change during Revolution of 1905.
Read the full history profile — narrative overview, defining eras, and the complete timeline in one place.
View expanded historyInteresting Facts
Interesting Facts
Estonia has the world's most rented housing with 81.5% of property being rented.
See every fact — trivia, oddities, and curious tidbits gathered from across the country.
View all interesting factsGeography and Environment
Geography and Environment
- Terrain
- marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south
- Climate
- The climate is northern continental, with long winters and short summers. Winter begins in October and lasts often well into April. Snowcover is common from mid- or late November to the latter half of March. Cloud cover and slate gray skies are typical between October and early February, when drier and sunnier days arrive. Mean January temperatures are 22°F–25°(-4°C–6°C). The Gulfs of Finland and Riga only freeze over during the coldest winters. In addition to being cold and snowy, winter months are characterized by shortened daylight, a result of Estonia’s northern latitude (59°N). When days are at their shortest, daylight is present only between 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Prevailing gray skies from November through January make daylight seem even more fleeting. The sun, when it shines, hugs the horizon, thus giving the impression that it is early morning or late afternoon even at midday. It is often difficult to say exactly when winter ends and spring begins. After the Vernal Equinox (March 21), daylight increases dramatically. Most days in late March, April, and May are sunny. Daytime temperatures, however, may still remain in the 30°F–45°F range into late April, and it is not safe to put winter clothing into storage until late May. Occasional snow flurries and light snow are possible even through May. Summer in Estonia is a short, magical season. July and August temperatures are the warmest, averaging 67°F–75°F (19°C–24°C). Mornings are cooler and the late afternoon can warm up to the low-80’s F. The surface water temperature in the Baltic Sea is from 60°F–78°F (16°C–26°C). The heaviest rains occur in July and August, but they are usually passing showers. During summer months, Estonia benefits from its northern latitude, with daylight extending long into evening hours and reappearing well before earliest risers are out of bed. From early June to mid-July, there is no real "nighttime." The short autumn can start as early as late August and is generally cool and rainy.
- Natural Hazards
- sometimes flooding occurs in the spring
- Current 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
Read the full geography and environment profile — terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, land use, and international agreements.
View full geographyPeople & Demographics
People & Demographics
Religion
Languages Spoken
Estonian (official), Russian, Ukrainian, Finnish, other
- Estonian
- Russian
- Ukrainian
Population
- Population
- 1,331,796
- Population in Major Urban Areas
- TALLINN (capital) 400,000
- Nationality Noun
- Estonian(s)
- Ethnic Groups
- Estonian 68.7%, Russian 24.8%, Ukrainian 1.7%, Belarusian 1%, Finn 0.6%, other 1.6%, unspecified 1.6%
Education
- Literacy Definition
- Age 15 and over can read and write
Health Information
- Life Expectancy at Birth
- Life expectancy at birth in Estonia stands at approximately 76 to 77 years overall, though this figure reflects a notable gap between the sexes. Estonian women can expect to live to around 81 to 82 years, while Estonian men have a significantly shorter average lifespan of roughly 72 to 73 years. This gender gap of nearly a decade is one of the more pronounced disparities found within the European Union and is attributed to a combination of factors including higher rates of cardiovascular disease among men, greater alcohol consumption, smoking prevalence, and historically lower rates of preventive healthcare engagement among the male population. Estonia experienced substantial improvements in life expectancy following its re-independence in 1991 and its subsequent transition to a market economy and eventual accession to the European Union in 2004. During the Soviet era and the turbulent years of economic transition in the 1990s, life expectancy declined sharply, particularly for men, before recovering through the 2000s and 2010s as the country modernized its healthcare infrastructure and living standards rose. The Estonian healthcare system is publicly funded through a health insurance model administered by the Estonian Health Insurance Fund. The country has invested in expanding access to primary care, cancer screening programs, and cardiovascular disease prevention, all of which have contributed to gradual improvements in longevity over recent decades. Like many European nations, Estonia faces demographic pressures related to an aging population. A rising proportion of elderly citizens places increased demand on healthcare and social services. The country has also grappled with population decline driven by emigration, particularly among younger working-age adults, which shapes the overall demographic and health profile of the nation. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a measurable setback in life expectancy across Estonia during 2020 and 2021, as it did throughout much of Europe. Post-pandemic recovery has been gradual, and overall life expectancy figures remain modestly below the levels recorded immediately before the pandemic, though the longer-term trajectory is expected to resume its upward course as public health conditions continue to stabilize. Compared to the EU average life expectancy of roughly 80 to 81 years, Estonia trails slightly, though its trajectory has been broadly upward over the past two decades, reflecting wider improvements in public health, nutrition, and medical care across the country.
- Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk
- Intermediate
- Infant Mortality Rate
- Estonia maintains one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world, reflecting the country's strong public health infrastructure, high standard of living, and well-developed healthcare system. As of the most recent available data, Estonia's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 2 to 3 deaths per 1,000 live births, placing it consistently among the top-performing nations globally in this measure of child health. This low rate is the result of decades of investment in maternal and neonatal care following Estonia's independence in 1991 and its subsequent integration into European health standards. The country operates a universal healthcare system that provides prenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and postnatal support to mothers and newborns across the country. Virtually all births in Estonia take place in hospital settings with qualified medical professionals present, a critical factor in reducing neonatal complications. Estonia's infant mortality rate has declined significantly since the early 1990s, when it was considerably higher due to the transitional economic challenges following the Soviet era. The steady improvement over the past three decades reflects not only advances in medical technology and practice but also improvements in maternal nutrition, public health education, and socioeconomic conditions across the country. Gender disparities in infant mortality in Estonia follow global patterns, with male infants showing slightly higher mortality rates than female infants. The primary causes of infant death in Estonia, as in most high-income countries, include congenital anomalies, premature birth complications, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), rather than the infectious diseases that remain significant causes of infant mortality in lower-income nations. Estonia's performance compares favorably with European Union averages and aligns closely with neighboring Nordic and Baltic countries that have similarly robust public health systems. Organizations such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization use Estonia's healthcare model as an example of successful transition from a post-Soviet health system to a high-performing European standard of maternal and child care.
Life Expectancy
- Life Expectancy at Birth
- Life expectancy at birth in Estonia stands at approximately 76 to 77 years overall, though this figure reflects a notable gap between the sexes. Estonian women can expect to live to around 81 to 82 years, while Estonian men have a significantly shorter average lifespan of roughly 72 to 73 years. This gender gap of nearly a decade is one of the more pronounced disparities found within the European Union and is attributed to a combination of factors including higher rates of cardiovascular disease among men, greater alcohol consumption, smoking prevalence, and historically lower rates of preventive healthcare engagement among the male population. Estonia experienced substantial improvements in life expectancy following its re-independence in 1991 and its subsequent transition to a market economy and eventual accession to the European Union in 2004. During the Soviet era and the turbulent years of economic transition in the 1990s, life expectancy declined sharply, particularly for men, before recovering through the 2000s and 2010s as the country modernized its healthcare infrastructure and living standards rose. The Estonian healthcare system is publicly funded through a health insurance model administered by the Estonian Health Insurance Fund. The country has invested in expanding access to primary care, cancer screening programs, and cardiovascular disease prevention, all of which have contributed to gradual improvements in longevity over recent decades. Like many European nations, Estonia faces demographic pressures related to an aging population. A rising proportion of elderly citizens places increased demand on healthcare and social services. The country has also grappled with population decline driven by emigration, particularly among younger working-age adults, which shapes the overall demographic and health profile of the nation. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a measurable setback in life expectancy across Estonia during 2020 and 2021, as it did throughout much of Europe. Post-pandemic recovery has been gradual, and overall life expectancy figures remain modestly below the levels recorded immediately before the pandemic, though the longer-term trajectory is expected to resume its upward course as public health conditions continue to stabilize. Compared to the EU average life expectancy of roughly 80 to 81 years, Estonia trails slightly, though its trajectory has been broadly upward over the past two decades, reflecting wider improvements in public health, nutrition, and medical care across the country.
- Infant Mortality Rate
- Estonia maintains one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world, reflecting the country's strong public health infrastructure, high standard of living, and well-developed healthcare system. As of the most recent available data, Estonia's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 2 to 3 deaths per 1,000 live births, placing it consistently among the top-performing nations globally in this measure of child health. This low rate is the result of decades of investment in maternal and neonatal care following Estonia's independence in 1991 and its subsequent integration into European health standards. The country operates a universal healthcare system that provides prenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and postnatal support to mothers and newborns across the country. Virtually all births in Estonia take place in hospital settings with qualified medical professionals present, a critical factor in reducing neonatal complications. Estonia's infant mortality rate has declined significantly since the early 1990s, when it was considerably higher due to the transitional economic challenges following the Soviet era. The steady improvement over the past three decades reflects not only advances in medical technology and practice but also improvements in maternal nutrition, public health education, and socioeconomic conditions across the country. Gender disparities in infant mortality in Estonia follow global patterns, with male infants showing slightly higher mortality rates than female infants. The primary causes of infant death in Estonia, as in most high-income countries, include congenital anomalies, premature birth complications, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), rather than the infectious diseases that remain significant causes of infant mortality in lower-income nations. Estonia's performance compares favorably with European Union averages and aligns closely with neighboring Nordic and Baltic countries that have similarly robust public health systems. Organizations such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization use Estonia's healthcare model as an example of successful transition from a post-Soviet health system to a high-performing European standard of maternal and child care.
Read the full people and society profile — demographics, health, education, religion, languages, and notable people.
View full people and societyGovernment & Politics
Government & Politics
Country Identity
- Country Name
- Estonia
- Full Country Name
- Republic of Estonia
- Local - Long
- Eesti Vabariik
- Local - Short
- Eesti
- Former Name
- Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic
Government Structure
- Government Type
- parliamentary republic
- Legal System
- based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts
- Executive Branch
- chief of state: President Alar KARIS (since 11 October 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Kristen MICHAL (since 23 July 2024) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; if a candidate does not secure two-thirds of the votes after three rounds of balloting in 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 share of votes; election last held on 31 August 2021 (next to be held in 2026); prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament election results: Alar KARIS elected president on 31 August 2021; he was nominated by several parliamentary parties as a consensus candidate and elected by Parliament in the first round of voting, having secured the required two-thirds majority; KARIS, a former head of the National Audit Office and rector of the University of Tartu, took office on 11 October 2021, succeeding Kersti KALJULAID, who had served since 2016
- Legislative Branch
- Unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) Elections: last held 5 March 2023 (next to be held in March 2027) Election results: percent of vote by party - Estonian Reform Party 31.2%, Estonian Centre Party 15.3%, Estonian Conservative People's Party (EKRE) 16.1%, Isamaa (Fatherland) 8.2%, Social Democrats 9.3%, Estonia 2200 13.3%; seats by party - Estonian Reform Party 37, Estonian Conservative People's Party 17, Estonian Centre Party 16, Estonia 2200 14, Social Democrats 9, Isamaa 8
- Judicial Branch
- National Court (chairman appointed by Parliament for life)
- Suffrage
- 18 years of age; universal for all Estonian citizens
- Constitution
- adopted 28 June 1992
- Independence
- regained on 20 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
- National Holiday
- Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note - 24 February 1918 is the date Estonia declared its independence from Soviet Russia; 20 August 1991 is the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union
Capital City
- Capital Name
- Tallinn
- Capital - geographic coordinate
- 59 26 N, 24 43 E
- Capital Time Difference
- UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
The Estonian name is generally believed to be derived from "Taani-linn" (originally meaning "Danish castle", now "Danish town") after a stronghold built in the area by the Danes; it could also have come from "tali-linn" ("winter castle" or "winter town") or "talu-linn" ("home castle" or "home town")
Military
Branches: Estonian Defense Forces (Eesti Kaitsevagi): Land Force (Maavagi), Navy (Merevagi), Air Force (Ohuvagi), Defense League (Kaitseliit)
Embassy / Diplomatic Mission
U.S. Embassy Tallinn
Kentmanni 20 (postal code 15099).
Telephone: 372-668-8128 (please see our dialing instructions, below).
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 372-668-8169
Facsimile: 372-668-8267;
E-mail: ACSTallinn@state.gov
Dialing instructions: Where you see the “ ” sign, you must begin by dialing the prefix required for international calls. If you are in the United States, you should start by dialing “011.” If you are calling from most other countries, you begin by dialing “00.” Thus, if you are in the United States, you can reach the embassy’s switchboard by dialing 011-372-668-8100. If you are calling from within Estonia, you can omit the country code ( 372).
Read the full government profile — flag symbolism, national anthem, and other national symbols.
View full government detailsEconomy
Economy
Estonia has developed into a modern, high-income market economy and is one of the most digitally advanced nations in the world.
Snapshot
- Currency Name and Code
- Euros (EUR)
- GDP — official exchange rate
- $12,190,000,000 (USD)
- GDP Real Growth Rate
- 2.4%
- Gini Index
- 37.2
News & Weather
News & Weather
Current Weather
Latest News
Estonians celebrate home-sand success at Tallinn Futures - Volleyball World
Volleyball World · 1d ago
Powerful storm sweeps across Baltic states, killing 2 - Xinhua
Xinhua · 1d ago
Simone Fontecchio leads Italy past Estonia with 21 points - Eurohoops
Eurohoops · 2d ago
Estonia weighs David’s Sling in billion-euro missile defense decision - calcalistech.com
calcalistech.com · 15h ago
Russia knows it should not attack NATO -- Estonian PM - Ukrinform
Ukrinform · 1d ago
Have you met this Estonian student? He came to America for summer sales to fund education - KSL News
KSL News · 2d ago
Estonia weighs Patriot, SAMP/T and David’s Sling for ballistic-missile defence purchase potentially worth more than €1 billion - Defence Industry Europe
Defence Industry Europe · 1d ago
Why Estonians invite strangers into their back gardens each summer - BBC
BBC · 21d ago
News via Google News
Climate Overview
The climate is northern continental, with long winters and short summers. Winter begins in October and lasts often well into April. Snowcover is common from mid or late November to the latter half of March. Cloud cover and slate gray skies are typical between October and early February, when drier and sunnier days arrive. Mean January temperatures are 22°-25°F(-4°-6°C). The Gulfs of Finland and Riga only freeze over during the coldest winters.
In addition to being cold and snowy, winter months are characterized by shortened daylight, a result of Estonia's northern latitude (59°N). When days are at their shortest, daylight is present only between 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Prevailing gray skies from November through January make daylight seem even more fleeting. The sun, when it shines, hugs the horizon, thus giving the impression that it is early morning or late afternoon even at midday.
It is often difficult to say exactly when winter ends and spring begins. After the Vernal Equinox (March 21), daylight increases dramatically. Most days in late March, April, and May are sunny. Daytime temperatures, however, may still remain in the 30°-45°F range into late April, and it is not safe to put winter clothing into storage until late May. Occasional snow flurries and light snow are possible even through May.
Summer in Estonia is a short, magical season. July and August temperatures are the warmest, averaging 67°-75°F (19°-24°C). Mornings are cooler and the late afternoon can warm up to the low-80”™s. The surface water temperature in the Baltic Sea is from 60°-78°F (16°-26°C). The heaviest rains occur in July and August, but they are usually passing showers. During summer months, Estonia benefits from its northern latitude, with daylight extending long into evening hours and reappearing well before earliest risers are out of bed. From early June to mid-July, there is no real "nighttime."
The short autumn can start as early as late August and is generally cool and rainy.
Videos
Videos
1 curated YouTube videos.
Source: YouTube
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Estonia?
How do people greet each other in Estonia?
What are Estonian eating customs like?
What etiquette should I know in Estonia?
How should I dress in Estonia?
What gestures matter in Estonia?
What is family life like in Estonia?
What do Estonians do for recreation?
What is the capital of Estonia?
Where is Estonia located?
What countries border Estonia?
What is the predominant religion in Estonia?
What currency does Estonia use?
What language is spoken in Estonia?
What is Estonia known for?
Last reviewed 2026