A total of 15,413 people immigrated to and 13,003 people emigrated from Estonia in 2015, making for a net migration total of 2,410. Subtracting from that the country’s rate of natural increase (RNI) of -1,336, immigration to Estonia still compensated for the population decrease caused by its negative RNI with a net positive of 1,074 people.
According to Statistics Estonia, the most active age group in emigration was 20-39, however with the exception of the 10-14 and 25-29 age groups, immigration exceeded emigration across all ages last year.
Greater totals of men than women immigrated to and emigrated from Estonia, however, based on net migration, more men than women continue to remain abroad.
52 percent of those immigrating to and 69 percent of those emigrating from Estonia were Estonian citizens, which means that the back and forth movement of the country’s own citizens accounts for the majority of emigration from Estonia.
21 percent of immigrants to Estonia were citizens of the EU; 27 percent were citizens of third countries. In comparison, 15 percent of those emigrating from Estonia consisted of EU citizens, while third country citizens accounted for another 10 percent.
