Major General Veiko-Vello Palm, commander of the Estonian Division, highlighted the importance of acquiring long-range weapons, such as HIMARS systems, to enhance Estonia’s defence capabilities, ERR reported. He said that the focus on deep strikes and disrupting enemy supply lines had become crucial in countering potential threats. Palm acknowledged the need for continuous military growth,…
Estonia’s population totalled 1,373,101 people in the beginning of 2024, according to Statistics Estonia’s preliminary data, ERR reported. The country’s population thus increased by 4,184 people in 2023, including by 6,239 people in Harjumaa county and 2,025 people in Tartumaa county. The population decreased by 1,413 people in Ida-Virumaa county. Statistics Estonia will release more…
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who chairs the ruling Estonian Reform Party, expressed her will to remain as prime minister for four years, ERR reported. In an interview with Maaleht, Kallas said that she wanted to see the positive results of her government’s challenging decisions rather than just face criticism. Kallas dismissed rumours about running…
In his New Year address, Lauri Hussar, speaker of the Estonian parliament, the Riigikogu, outlined key challenges for Estonia in 2024, ERR reports. He emphasised the importance of transitioning to Estonian as the sole language of tuition in schools, viewing it as vital to preserving the country’s language and culture. Hussar urged unity in recognising…
Estonia’s Minister of Defence, Hanno Pevkur, said that the Estonian Defence Forces believed that the country’s defence spending could rise to 4.5% of GDP, ERR reports. However, Pevkur emphasised the need for a “reasonable limit” due to investments in health care, social welfare, and education. He acknowledged the desire for increased spending on defence given…
Same-sex marriage is now legal under Estonian law as of 1 January 2024, ERR reports. The law allows two consenting adults to marry irrespective of their gender. Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo said that the law ensured equal rights, ending years of legal uncertainty. Same-sex couples, previously able to register civil partnerships, now enjoy…
In his New Year’s address, Estonian President Alar Karis emphasised the country’s goals of preserving the Estonian language and culture while striving to be a good and secure place to live, ERR reports. Despite the challenges in 2023, he urged citizens to find positivity, acknowledging personal and national achievements. Karis addressed political concerns and stressed…
Estonia’s central bank, the Bank of Estonia, foresees growing unemployment in the near future, ERR reports. Orsolya Soosaar, economist at the Bank of Estonia, expects the country’s unemployment rate to reach double digits in 2024. In late September 2023, the central bank forecast that unemployment would rise to 8% in 2024. Soosaar said that the…
Estonia’s state-owned airline, Nordic Aviation Group (Nordica), generated consolidated revenue of EUR 85.5mn in the first nine months of 2023, which was up 29.8% from the same period of 2022, ERR reports. The rise in revenue was due to fleet expansion and increased number of passengers. However, revenue remained significantly lower than targeted due to…
