GeoRealityMatch
Stunning aerial view of Tallinn's Old Town with red rooftops and modern skyline at sunset.A stunning aerial view of Tallinn's historic and modern skyline with red rooftops and skyscrapers.

Estonia

Europe · Northern Europe

Very high safetyModerate cost of livingVery high development

It is one of the most peaceful countries, and human development is high. Youth unemployment is high for Europe.

Digital NomadOffers a digital nomad visa and home internet at 95 Mbps.ExpatCombines very high development and very high safety.
vs Latviavs Finlandvs Sweden
Safety

25th most peaceful of 161

Global Peace Index
1.623lower is more peacefulVery high safety
#25 of 161
IEP GPI · 2026
Homicides
1.5per 100,000 people a yearLowUNODC / World Bank · 2023
Safety index
76.8Numbeo's safety index, higher is saferVery highNumbeo · 2026
Money

Incomes below the European median

Median disposable income
€17,146per adult, a year, after tax and transfersModerate
Eurostat · 2025
Rent index
16.7New York = 100ExpensiveNumbeo · 2026
Property price to income
10.5years of median income to buy a median flatAffordableNumbeo · 2026

Income and inflation over time

Income per person rose 172% in current dollars from 2006 to 2025, and rose 25% after inflation.

GDP per person, current US$At purchasing power parityInflation

$0$30K$60K$52,106 PPP$34,418Inflation, % a year20%0200620102015202020252006, $12,641 a person, $19,344 at PPP, inflation 4.4%2007, $16,745 a person, $22,201 at PPP, inflation 6.6%2008, $18,206 a person, $22,804 at PPP, inflation 10.4%2009, $14,712 a person, $20,489 at PPP2010, $14,664 a person, $21,614 at PPP, inflation 3%2011, $17,556 a person, $24,652 at PPP, inflation 5%2012, $17,568 a person, $26,243 at PPP, inflation 3.9%2013, $19,310 a person, $27,831 at PPP, inflation 2.8%2014, $20,582 a person, $29,404 at PPP, inflation -0.1%2015, $17,722 a person, $29,713 at PPP, inflation -0.5%2016, $18,666 a person, $31,948 at PPP, inflation 0.1%2017, $20,852 a person, $34,507 at PPP, inflation 3.4%2018, $23,618 a person, $37,121 at PPP, inflation 3.4%2019, $24,021 a person, $40,586 at PPP, inflation 2.3%2020, $23,934 a person, $40,672 at PPP, inflation -0.4%2021, $27,951 a person, $44,247 at PPP, inflation 4.7%2022, $28,340 a person, $48,030 at PPP, inflation 19.4%2023, $30,264 a person, $48,848 at PPP, inflation 9.2%2024, $31,428 a person, $50,396 at PPP, inflation 3.5%2025, $34,418 a person, $52,106 at PPP, inflation 4.8%$0$30K$60KInflation, % a year20%0200620102015202020252006, $12,641 a person, $19,344 at PPP, inflation 4.4%2007, $16,745 a person, $22,201 at PPP, inflation 6.6%2008, $18,206 a person, $22,804 at PPP, inflation 10.4%2009, $14,712 a person, $20,489 at PPP2010, $14,664 a person, $21,614 at PPP, inflation 3%2011, $17,556 a person, $24,652 at PPP, inflation 5%2012, $17,568 a person, $26,243 at PPP, inflation 3.9%2013, $19,310 a person, $27,831 at PPP, inflation 2.8%2014, $20,582 a person, $29,404 at PPP, inflation -0.1%2015, $17,722 a person, $29,713 at PPP, inflation -0.5%2016, $18,666 a person, $31,948 at PPP, inflation 0.1%2017, $20,852 a person, $34,507 at PPP, inflation 3.4%2018, $23,618 a person, $37,121 at PPP, inflation 3.4%2019, $24,021 a person, $40,586 at PPP, inflation 2.3%2020, $23,934 a person, $40,672 at PPP, inflation -0.4%2021, $27,951 a person, $44,247 at PPP, inflation 4.7%2022, $28,340 a person, $48,030 at PPP, inflation 19.4%2023, $30,264 a person, $48,848 at PPP, inflation 9.2%2024, $31,428 a person, $50,396 at PPP, inflation 3.5%2025, $34,418 a person, $52,106 at PPP, inflation 4.8%

World Bank: GDP per person in current US dollars and at PPP, real GDP per person, consumer price inflation. Observed years only.

Health

Above-average life expectancy

Life expectancy
79.3years, at birthHigh
#44 of 195
World Bank · 2024
Health coverage
79WHO universal health coverage index, 0 to 100HighWHO · 2023
Air pollution
5.2PM2.5, micrograms per cubic metre, national averageVery lowWHO · 2023
Work and internet

Higher youth unemployment than most of Europe

Youth unemployment
20.7%share of 15 to 24 year olds in the labour forceHigh
Eurostat · 2025
Home internet
95 Mbpsmedian download speedFastOokla Speedtest · 2025

Internet speeds

Home internet95 MbpsFast
Mobile178 MbpsVery fast

Ookla Speedtest Global Index, median download speed, ranked among the countries Ookla lists.

Visas and moving

Digital nomad visaMedium

Minimum income
€4,500 a month
Duration
12 months
Renewable
Yes
Application fee
€120about $120
  • Tax treatmentLocal rates apply
  • Processing timeAbout 30 days
  • Health insuranceRequired
  • DependantsAllowed
  • Apply onlineIn person or at a consulate
  • Path to residencyNo
  • NationalitiesSome are restricted
Official page
A stunning aerial view of Tallinn's historic and modern skyline with red rooftops and skyscrapers.
How it changed

Estonia's Human Development Index

0.905Very high human development

36th of 193 in UNDP's 2023 ranking, 26th of 44 in Europe.

UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. UNDP Human Development Report 2025.

Nearest countries by HDI

  1. #34Greece0.908
  2. #35Poland0.906
  3. #36Estonia0.905
  4. #37Saudi Arabia0.900
  5. #38Bahrain0.899
Full HDI ranking, all 193 countries

HDI since 1990

Year by year

Human development rose from 0.738 in 1990 to 0.905 in 2023.

0.650.800.950.90519902000201020231990: 0.7381991: 0.7341992: 0.7221993: 0.7131994: 0.7111995: 0.7251996: 0.7461997: 0.7591998: 0.7671999: 0.7762000: 0.7932001: 0.8022002: 0.8132003: 0.8242004: 0.8342005: 0.8472006: 0.8552007: 0.8592008: 0.8642009: 0.8632010: 0.8682011: 0.8772012: 0.8802013: 0.8872014: 0.8852015: 0.8882016: 0.8902017: 0.8942018: 0.8972019: 0.9012020: 0.9012021: 0.8992022: 0.9022023: 0.9050.650.800.9519902000201020231990: 0.7381991: 0.7341992: 0.7221993: 0.7131994: 0.7111995: 0.7251996: 0.7461997: 0.7591998: 0.7671999: 0.7762000: 0.7932001: 0.8022002: 0.8132003: 0.8242004: 0.8342005: 0.8472006: 0.8552007: 0.8592008: 0.8642009: 0.8632010: 0.8682011: 0.8772012: 0.8802013: 0.8872014: 0.8852015: 0.8882016: 0.8902017: 0.8942018: 0.8972019: 0.9012020: 0.9012021: 0.8992022: 0.9022023: 0.905

UNDP Human Development Report, 2025 edition. 34 annual values, none interpolated.

Twenty years here

Year by yearThe world report
Life expectancy at birth
79.3 years2024at birthUp 6.7 years from 72.6 years in 2005
Internet users
92%2024of people onlineUp 29 points from 64% in 2006
Urban population
71%2025of people in towns and citiesUp 3 points from 68% in 2006
Births per woman
1.182024births per womanDown 0.34 from 1.52 in 2005
Renewable share of energy
38%2021of energy usedUp 18 points from 20% in 2004
Access to electricity
100%2024of people with electricityLevel with 2005
Infant mortality
22024deaths before age one, per 1,000 birthsDown 4 from 6 in 2005
CO2 emissions per person
7.8 t2024of CO2 per person a yearDown 7.1 t from 14.8 t in 2005
Forest area
57%2023of land under forestUp 3 points from 54% in 2004

World Bank, from the first to the last observed year of each indicator; each has its own window.

Our take

World's most digital country, offering e-residency for global entrepreneurs; compact and efficient. The case for living here is peace, very high human development and clean air. The case against is high youth unemployment for Europe.

About Estonia

Estonia is a small Baltic nation with a beautifully preserved medieval capital in Tallinn, a landscape of forests, bogs, and over 2,000 islands, and a digital-first culture that has made it one of the most technologically advanced societies in the world. The Scandinavian influence is visible in the design sensibility and love of nature, while the old town carries a distinctly Central European atmosphere. It suits those who enjoy quiet beauty, clean cities, and a culture that takes both tradition and innovation seriously.

Practical facts

  • CapitalTallinn
  • LanguagesEstonian
  • Currencyeuro (EUR)
  • Area42,730 km²
  • Plug typeType C/F
  • Drives on theright
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Quick answers

What is Estonia's Human Development Index?

Estonia's Human Development Index is 0.905 for 2023 (UNDP Human Development Report 2025), ranked #36 of 193 by UNDP.

Is Estonia safe?

Estonia scores 1.62 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #25 of 161 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.

How expensive is Estonia?

Numbeo's cost-of-living index puts Estonia at 59.7 (New York = 100); that is #117 cheapest of 143 countries with data.

What is life expectancy in Estonia?

Life expectancy at birth in Estonia is 79.3 yrs (World Bank), ranked #44 of 195 countries.

What is the quality of life in Estonia?

Numbeo's quality-of-life index scores Estonia at 190.7, ranked #11 of 87 countries with data. It composites purchasing power, safety, healthcare, cost of living, commute and pollution from resident surveys, so it reflects what residents report rather than what an economy produces.