Title: Country statement submitted by the government of the Republic of Estonia.

POPLINE Document Number: 101381

Corporate Author(s):

Estonia

Source citation:

In: European Population Conference / Conference Europeenne sur la Population. Proceedings / Actes. Volume 2. 23-26 March 1993, Geneva, Switzerland / 23-26 mars 1993, Geneve, Suisse, [compiled by] United Nations. Economic Commission for Europe, Council of Europe, United Nations Population Fund [UNFPA]. Strasbourg, France, Council of Europe, 1994. :141-6.

Abstract:

Total population in Estonia is about 1.6 million, of whom 26% are foreign-born, 61.5% are ethnic Estonians, and the remaining are non-Estonians. The sociocultural heterogeneity has been used politically as a measure of ethnic inequalities. Total fertility declined to 1.7 in 1991, the year of independence. The life expectancy is 66.2 years for males and 75.0 for females. The new government will be challenged to building a new social security system for the aged under poor economic conditions. There will be voluntary resettlement of immigrants from the Soviet period; if reunification of families occurs, immigration will increase. Immigration had declined between 1990 and 1993, but illegal immigration increased. Marriage, sexual, and reproductive patterns are similar to Scandinavian models. Cohabitation accounts for 60% of first unions. Abortions exceed the number of live births. Family planning is limited and abortion is used for fertility regulation. Current problems are a sufficient supply of adequate housing and longterm social security. Mortality patterns are similar to European patterns, with the exception of the high levels of accidental and violent deaths, which constitute 16.4% of all male deaths and 5.0% of all female deaths. Cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality is high. The draft Health Protection Act aims to improve life style, reduce environmental pollution, and prevent disease. Prior to World War II, data collection and analysis was very detailed and efforts will be made to improve data systems. Limited funding has prevented more rapid processing and implementation of data collection.

Keywords:

Estonia
Summary Report
Conferences and Congresses
UN
Population Growth
Age Distribution
International Migration
Population Policy
Social Policy
Fertility
Family and Household
Mortality
Health
Demographic Analysis
International Cooperation
Developing Countries
Europe, Eastern
Europe
International Agencies
Organizations
Population Dynamics
Demographic Factors
Population
Age Factors
Population Characteristics
Migration
Policy
Research Methodology