Households
A household usually consists of people who live in a common dwelling, share a budget or food, or both. Households change over time: when a child grows up and becomes financially independent, he or she leaves one household and starts a new one. The same dwelling can also accommodate several households. A person living alone forms a single-person household. Thus, the number of households does not equal the number of families.
How many households are there in Estonia and what characterises them? People are increasingly living alone or in smaller households. The statistics help to understand the connections between people’s living conditions and economic situation, and to study the changes over time.
The general data of households show the number of households, their average size and types, and the breakdown by county.
Household budget statistics give an overview of the annual expenditure per household member: how much households spend on various items, such as food, housing, clothing, transport or eating out. Household expenditure can be compared by household type, place of residence, income and expenditure quintiles, and socio-economic status.
The statistics on household living conditions cover the size, type and age of dwellings as well as the types of heating used.
Household statistics are used to shape social and family policies and to assess changes taking place in society.
Households with children, 2018–2025
Unit: thousands
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult and child(ren) | 18.9 | 20.1 | 20.1 | 20.4 | 19.4 | 18.8 | 22.5 | 23.6 |
| Couple with one child | 42.1 | 42.4 | 42.9 | 43.1 | 41.6 | 43.5 | 44.5 | 45.7 |
| Couple with two children | 43.7 | 42.4 | 40.5 | 41.3 | 43.2 | 43.6 | 40.7 | 40.4 |
| Couple with three or more children | 12.3 | 14.9 | 17.2 | 17.4 | 16.3 | 16.8 | 16.6 | 14.3 |
| Couple with minor and adult children | 20.1 | 17.4 | 19.1 | 19.7 | 20.4 | 24.3 | 22.3 | 24.0 |
| Other household with children | 18.6 | 18.2 | 15.7 | 14.0 | 14.2 | 15.0 | 15.3 | 13.9 |
Annual expenditure per household member, 2019, 2020
Unit: euros
| 2019 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| Food and non-alcoholic beverages | 1,242.0 | 1,300.4 |
| Alcoholic beverages and tobacco | 183.2 | 187.8 |
| Clothing and footwear | 317.8 | 280.5 |
| Housing | 915.1 | 932.6 |
| Household equipment and operation | 426.9 | 451.9 |
| Health | 255.8 | 251.2 |
| Transport | 859.0 | 786.2 |
| Communication | 276.1 | 279.2 |
| Recreation and culture | 625.0 | 563.6 |
| Education | 56.6 | 53.4 |
| Restaurants and hotels | 311.9 | 247.4 |
| Miscellaneous goods and services | 312.4 | 307.5 |
| Other expenditure | 80.1 | 81.5 |
Problems of household members concerning the dwelling, 2023
Unit: %
| City or town settlement region | Rural settlement region | |
|---|---|---|
| The roof leaks | 2.7 | 6.9 |
| Damp walls, floor or basement | 5.0 | 11.2 |
| Too dark | 2.5 | 4.1 |
| Crime in the vicinity of dwelling | 4.9 | 2.8 |
| Noise can usually be heard in dwelling | 27.2 | 18.4 |
| Pollution in the vicinity of dwelling | 20.1 | 16.2 |
65% of people and 34% of enterprises use AI
The latest information technology surveys conducted by Statistics Estonia show that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) increased significantly in 2026 compared with the year before. AI use was up both among enterprises and among individuals, with the use of AI tools for private purposes rising by 53%. There was also a rise in the use of internet-connected devices, such as smart TVs and smart watches.
Nearly half the people in Estonia use artificial intelligence
The latest data from Statistics Estonia's internet use and digital skills survey reveal that there are now 564,800 households with an internet connection, accounting for 95% of all households in Estonia. Compared with 2024, the number of households with internet access has increased by 20,000.
Which smart devices do people in Estonia use at home?
According to Statistics Estonia, there has been a considerable rise in the use of Internet of Things devices over the last four years. The use of smart TVs has risen by 30%, and the use of smart watches has increased by as much as 60%. Internet-connected home appliances and voice-activated virtual assistants are also increasingly popular among households.