Estonia: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Estonia?

Unemployment in Estonia was 6.6% in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Labour Force Survey published by Statistics Estonia on 14 August 2026. There were 49,000 unemployed people, 10,200 fewer than a year earlier, and the rate was down 0.5 points on the first quarter.

The employment rate was 68.6% and the labour force participation rate 73.4%. Employment fell by 5,700 year on year to 691,600. Statistics Estonia notes that registered unemployment at the Unemployment Insurance Fund shows a similar downward trend.

Official sources: Statistics Estonia: The unemployment rate was 6.6% in the second quarter

What is the average salary in Estonia?

Average gross monthly wages in Estonia were €2,243 in the second quarter of 2026, 5.5% or €117 more than a year earlier, according to Statistics Estonia on 3 September 2026. In Tallinn the average was €2,611 and in Harju county €2,488.

Wages were highest in information and communication (€3,837) and lowest in accommodation and food services (€1,389). The averages are gross, before income tax and contributions. Wages rose in every county, most in Ida-Viru county (8%).

Official sources: Statistics Estonia: Average wages and salaries were 2,243 euros in the second quarter

What is the minimum wage in Estonia?

The national minimum wage in Estonia was €946 a month in the second half of 2026, up from €886 in the first half, according to Eurostat. The amount is gross, before income tax and contributions.

Eurostat reports minimum wages twice a year. Statistics Estonia's wage figures put the average gross monthly wage at €2,243 in the second quarter of 2026, so the minimum wage was about 42% of the average.

Official sources: Eurostat: Monthly minimum wages · Statistics Estonia: average wages, Q2 2026

How many job vacancies are there in Estonia?

There were 8,363 job vacancies in Estonia in the second quarter of 2026, nearly 2,000 fewer than a year earlier, according to Statistics Estonia on 8 September 2026. Vacancies were 1.4% of all job posts, down from 1.7%.

The most vacancies were in education (1,558), public administration and defence (1,274), trade (1,029) and manufacturing (968). A vacancy is a paid post that the employer is actively trying to fill. Statistics Estonia notes that employment did not rise in the quarter.

Official sources: Statistics Estonia: There were 8,363 job vacancies in the second quarter

What is Estonia's minimum wage?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2026, is 946 EUR a month. That is the highest since at least 2012.

What is the average wage in Estonia?

$3,218 a month: that is average monthly earnings of employees in Estonia for 2025, according to the ILO. That is the highest since at least 2012. It is 17th highest of 32 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is $3,252 a month. World rank, highest first: 19th of 57.

What is Estonia's unemployment rate?

In 2025, the unemployment rate in Estonia was 8.3%, according to the ILO. The peak was 16.7% in 2010 and the low 4.5% in 2019. Europe & Central Asia median: 5.5%; Estonia is 12th highest of 47. Worldwide: 46th of 174.

How many young people in Estonia are unemployed?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 19.7%. Its high point since 2005 was 2010, at 32.9%; its low point was 2007, at 10.1%. Europe & Central Asia median: 14.2%; Estonia is 16th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 47th of 174.

What share of people in Estonia are in the labour force?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate in Estonia was 65.1% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 65.6%; its low point was 2005, at 58.6%. Europe & Central Asia median: 60.3%; Estonia is 8th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 56th of 174.

What is female labour force participation in Estonia?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate for women in Estonia at 61.0% in 2025. The peak was 61.3% in 2024 and the low 53.5% in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 54.6%; Estonia is 9th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 44th highest.

How many people in Estonia are employed?

59.7%: that is the employment to population ratio in Estonia for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 61.5% in 2022 and the low 50.4% in 2010. It is 13th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 56.6%. Worldwide: 76th of 174.

How many workers in Estonia are self-employed or family workers?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Estonia was 7.1% in 2025. The peak was 7.9% in 2005 and the low 6.8% in 2022. Europe & Central Asia median: 11.0%; Estonia is 38th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 157th highest.

What share of workers in Estonia earn a wage or salary?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are paid employees in Estonia at 87.9% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 87.4% (2005) to 88.3% (2008). It is 12th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 85.5%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 23rd highest.