First-level divisions of Estonia: population and official figures
Estonia is divided into 15 first-level divisions. The largest by population is Harju with 646,670 people (47.1% of the total); the smallest is Hiiu with 8,381.
Who governs Estonia's first-level divisions?
Counties – maakonnad (15): No government since 2018. Used for statistics and for joint planning by municipalities.
How local power works in Estonia · Level 5: devolved and state governments worldwide
All 15 first-level divisions, largest first
| # | First-level division | Population | Year | Growth (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harju | 646,670 | 2024 | – |
| 2 | Tartu | 164,555 | 2024 | – |
| 3 | Ida-Viru | 131,222 | 2024 | – |
| 4 | Pärnu | 87,818 | 2024 | – |
| 5 | Laane-Viru | 59,301 | 2024 | – |
| 6 | Viljandi | 45,355 | 2024 | – |
| 7 | Rapla | 34,119 | 2024 | – |
| 8 | Voru | 33,889 | 2024 | – |
| 9 | Saare | 31,912 | 2024 | – |
| 10 | Jarva | 29,950 | 2024 | – |
| 11 | Valga | 27,742 | 2024 | – |
| 12 | Jogeva | 27,213 | 2024 | – |
| 13 | Polva | 23,723 | 2024 | – |
| 14 | Laane | 20,491 | 2024 | – |
| 15 | Hiiu | 8,381 | 2024 | – |
More on Estonia: official statistics · government and power · local power
Sources
- Statistics Estonia: Gross domestic product by county (ESA 2010), table RAA0050 (POST query, JSON-stat 2), read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 ef234706a21c…)
- Statistics Estonia: Average monthly gross wages (salaries), median and number of employees by administrative unit, table PA107, read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 bb50f2217e74…)
- Statistics Estonia: Local budgets operating revenue, expenditures and outcome by region/administrative unit, table RR300, read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 9727f300e9b0…)
- Statistics Estonia: Local budgets operating expenditures and investment activities expenses by function and region/administrative unit, table RR302, read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1a5fcdf926c0…)
- State Electoral Office of Estonia (Riigi Valimisteenistus): Municipal council elections 19 October 2025: election results by administrative unit (RESULTS.xml), read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 164ef897d42d…)
- State Electoral Office of Estonia (Riigi Valimisteenistus): Municipal council elections 19 October 2025: voter participation by county and municipality (POSTELECTION_PARTICIPATION_INFO.xml), read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1b17199acf16…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.