The latest results from The Survey of Adult Skills PIAAC highlight that Estonian adults perform exceptionally well in key skills, with the share of highly skilled individuals increasing since the last survey. At the same time, socioeconomic gaps have widened, and the proportion of low-skilled adults has grown. Estonia ranks 6th globally in overall skills, following Finland, Japan, Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands.

According to Statistics Estonia and Eesti Pank, in the third quarter of 2024, Estonia’s exports of services grew by 8% and imports by 2%. Exports of services totalled €3.2 billion and imports of services €2.4 billion at current prices. The balance of foreign trade in services was in surplus by €751 million, which is €180 million more than a year earlier.

According to Statistics Estonia, in October 2024, Estonia’s exports of goods increased by 12% and imports by 10% compared with October 2023. Exports of goods amounted to nearly €1.7 billion and imports to nearly €2 billion at current prices. The trade deficit was €303 million.

According to Statistics Estonia, in November 2024, the consumer price index decreased by 0.4% compared with October and increased by 3.7% compared with November 2023. Goods were 2.5% and services 5.6% more expensive than in November last year.

According to Statistics Estonia, in the third quarter of 2024, there were 9,905 job vacancies in the enterprises, institutions and organisations of Estonia. This is 18% less than in the same quarter last year. In the third quarter, 5,819 persons left their job at the initiative of the employer.

According to Statistics Estonia, in October 2024, the total production of industrial enterprises at constant prices was the same as in October last year. Among the three industrial sectors, output increased by 0.8% in manufacturing but decreased by 2.8% in mining and by 7.4% in electricity production.

According to Statistics Estonia, in the third quarter of 2024, the gross domestic product (GDP) decreased by 0.7% compared with the same period of 2023. The GDP at current prices amounted to €10 billion.

According to Statistics Estonia, in October 2024, the turnover of retail trade enterprises was 886 million euros. Compared with October 2023, the volume of retail trade turnover decreased by 1%.

According to Statistics Estonia, in the third quarter of 2024, the total production value of Estonian construction enterprises in Estonia and abroad decreased by 5% compared with the third quarter of 2023. Considering only the domestic market, the fall in construction volume was 6%.

According to Statistics Estonia, the average monthly gross wages and salaries in the third quarter of 2024 were €1,959, which is 8.1% higher than in the same quarter the year before. The median wages were €1,620 in the third quarter of this year and €1,500 in the same quarter of 2023. 

The producer price index of industrial output, which expresses changes in the producer prices of industrial goods manufactured in Estonia for the domestic market and for export, increased by 0.3% in October 2024 compared with September and by 0.2% compared with October last year.

According to Statistics Estonia, in the third quarter of 2024, the unemployment rate was 7.4%, the employment rate was 69.1% and the labour force participation rate was 74.6%. There were 1,500 fewer unemployed people than in the previous quarter.