Estonia’s annual GDP growth will reach around 2.5% in 2026, 2027, and 2028, the Bank of Estonia forecasts, Estonian World reports. The country’s economic recovery is driven by increased household consumption following tax changes, higher government spending financed by borrowing, and stronger manufacturing exports. The central bank urged to boost productivity and competitiveness. The biggest…
Housing prices in the Baltic States rose the most in Lithuania in the second quarter of 2026, according to Eurostat data, BNS reported. Compared to the second quarter of 2025, housing prices in Lithuania rose by 14.3%, which was the third-largest increase in the EU. In Latvia, housing prices went up by 11.4% and in…
In Estonia, political parties have begun active campaigning ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections due in March 2027, setting up tents to talk with potential voters, ERR reports. In contrast to previous years, election campaigning on social media is now banned in Estonia. Parties will begin placing posters, outdoor advertising, and TV and radio commercials…
The number of Russian citizens with valid residence permits declined in all three Baltic States in 2025, according to Eurostat data, Meduza reports. Since 2016, their number has fallen every year in Estonia and Latvia, but rose in Lithuania from 2019 to 2023. Estonia had 78,377 Russians with residence permits at the end of 2025,…
The Estonian government has approved amendments to the law regulating the operations of the country’s public broadcaster, Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR), ERR reports. Culture Minister Heidy Purga said that the changes would bring the law into line with EU regulations. The amendments would introduce a four-year funding agreement for ERR and fixed-term contracts for editorial management….
Latvia’s national air carrier, airBaltic, may cut 500-700 jobs at its bases in the three Baltic capitals, BNS reports. The company announced that it was in talks with trade unions on potential layoffs, which could affect about 20% of its total workforce. Currently, the airline employs around 3,000 people in the Baltic States. Meanwhile, Dace…
The chairman of Estonia’s national-conservative opposition party, Fatherland, Urmas Reinsalu, signalled major changes in economic policy after the parliamentary elections in March 2027, ERR reports. He said that the current government had failed to manage state finances and argued that government operating costs should have been cut more. Fatherland’s first task therefore was to fix…
The US failed to invite several NATO allies, including the three Baltic States, to a working group meeting in Poland to discuss the future of the alliance, Politico reported. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed that Estonia had not received an invitation, but stressed that the gathering was not an official NATO meeting, ERR reported. Defence…
The Estonian government has banned transit shipments of grain from Russia and Belarus, ERR reports. Amid attacks on shipping in the Black Sea, Russia has diverted grain exports away from Black Sea ports to other ports, including on the Baltic Sea coast. Russia and Belarus have not used Estonian ports to export grain to third…
