Unemployment:
Unemployment in Estonia has been a pressing issue since their split from the Soviet Union in 1991. The economic shift from collectivization and social dependency to individualism and private enterprise led to serious labor changes. Because employment was once guaranteed by the Soviet government, many who were not highly trained or familiar in the service sectors were left without jobs (Re-shaping of economy). The unemployment rate in Estonia was 10% in 2003 after improving from a record high of 14.6% in 2000 ("Estonia’s National Action Plan for Social Inclusion" 2004). This number is higher than the average EU unemployment rate. The rates fluctuate between regions, as well, ranging from just 5% in Rapla to 18.2% in Ida-Viru ("Estonia’s National Action Plan for Social Inclusion" 2004). Retraining has become an issue, and despite generally high education levels, finding qualified citizens to fill white-collar roles has proved to be a challenge (“Re-shaping of the Economy”). Men have been hit hardest by unemployment in Estonia, along with the young, disabled, and Russian speaking non-Estonians ("Estonia’s National Action Plan for Social Inclusion" 2004). Lack of employment is causing lower living standards and life expectancy, higher prevalence of crime, and a notably higher amount of suicides among Estonians (“Unemployment and Social Problems”).
High Mortality:
Estonia’s death rate is currently at every 12 per 1000 people (World Population Data Sheet). With one of the highest suicides rates in the EU and some of the lowest life expectancies, mortality in Estonia is a pressing issue (“Mortality”). The 1990’s showed a notable decrease in life expectancy, mostly attributed by unemployment. Men are more prone to early death than women and have a life expectancy of ten years younger than women (data sheet). Infant mortality rate at 3.6 is higher than the European average, suggesting that public health is an issue in Estonia’s issues with mortality (“Mortality” and “World Population Data Sheet”). Estonia is unique in its high amounts of violent death and suicides compared to other developed European nations. Ninety-five percent of all deaths in Estonia are attributed to violent death and accidents, mostly towards men (“Mortality”). Homicides, cardiovascular disease, and cancer have all increased in the country since 1960, causing a rise in mortality rates. Estonia has one of the highest inequality rates in mortality, with men dying much sooner and frequently than their female counterparts (“Mortality”).
Social Stratification:
Estonia’s economic restructuring in the 1990’s has led to large discrepancies between the rich and the poor. Social stratification has proved to be a demoralizing aspect of Estonian society. In 2000, the net income for the richest 10% of the country was 14 times higher than that of the poorest 10% (social strat). With their economic success has come problematic social inequality. According to the GIN Index, which measures economic inequality, Estonia was at 37.6 in 1998, compared to other European countries that were valued as low as 25.4 (“Social Stratification”). While a small minority of workers are benefitting from this type of economy, the overall Estonian workforce is suffering from it. About one fourth of the current population is living below the poverty line and the gap between haves and have nots is causing demoralizing effects (“Social Stratification”). With an already dwindling population, social stratification without resolve continues to be a demographic issue for the country.
Fertility
Significant changes in the age composition of the total population of Estonia took place during the second half of the 19th and the first half of the 20th century (Estonica). Estonia’s population had increasing until this time. Due to the counterbalancing effect of the basic ageing processes, the increase in the proportion of the elderly has been unusually small; hence the ageing-related problems became acute in Estonia only in the 1990s (Estonica). A prognosis made in the middle of the 1990s, according to which the year 1999 is estimated to remain the last year of rapid decrease in the fertility rate, provides no real assistance in the solution of social problems (Estonica).
The Estonian government plans to continue formulating strategies -- such as expanding preabortion counseling and subsidizing child-care providers and private day care -- to help improve the total fertility rate, the Journal reports. According to the Journal, Estonia needs a total fertility rate of 2.1 children per woman to maintain its current population (World Population Data Sheet).
Education:
Education currently in Estonia is a very difficult area to research. This difficult is due to some regions of Estonia having incredible education programs, that benefit their students greatly, while others are not treated with the same standard, and an equal education is not shared by all youth (Estonica). Since education is such a large indicator of success, it is arising to be quite a problem for Estonians not receiving the best regional education. The education program was also hit by the lack of financial funds, students mixed abilities, lack of school counseling for students and parents, and many other issues. Though many of these issues could be solved without much effort or financial strain, if they are not tackled early, they could lead to catastrophic results to Estonias education system.
