Personal surveys

The information technology survey assesses how and for what purpose people in Estonia use computers and the internet.

The survey is conducted in cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.

The information and communication sector has an impact on the whole Estonian economy and development of society. The survey looks at which ICT tools are used and what is done with them. It also examines the use of Estonian public services, thereby providing valuable information on the services provided by the state. The results of the survey are used to reflect on the changes ahead and to plan action. The data are also useful for enterprises, associations, and federations. The indicators are comparable with those of surveys carried out at the same time in other EU countries.

The survey is carried out in the second quarter of each year. 

The survey sample is drawn at random from the population register. The survey population consists of 16–74-year-old permanent residents of Estonia and members of their household. The name and address of the person interviewed is known only to the interviewer and interviewers supervisor. The data collected are used in an aggregated form, no individual data are examined. Statistics Estonia ensures the protection of all respondents' data in accordance with the Official Statistics Act and the Personal Data Protection Act. 

Participation in the survey is voluntary and in completing it, people are expected to show a sense of civic duty: the state must help its citizens and citizens must help the state. Each person's circumstances and life journey are unique. Therefore, no one else can replace a person in the survey. A person has the right to refuse to participate in the survey, but in this case, a piece of the whole picture is lost. Participation in the survey is necessary so that the state can rely on truthful and reliable information when making decisions that affect us all.

Before the survey starts, a notification is sent to all the people in the sample, explaining the purpose of the survey and how they will be contacted. The notification is sent to the sampled person at the email address indicated in the population register. If no email address is available, a letter is sent by post to the address in the population register.

In this survey, data are collected through 

• an online questionnaire
• a phone interview (for best service, the call is recorded)

Data from the information technology survey are published in the statistical database under the headings Economy and Social life. The data are also available in the dedicated section on information and communication technologies.

All respondents are entered into a draw for five €50 gift vouchers. 

This survey can be answered online at https://estat.stat.ee. The interview is conducted by a specially trained interviewer. The names of Statistics Estonia's interviewers can be checked here. An individual who has been included in a survey can ask for the interviewer's proof of employment. If you have any questions, please contact our customer support by phone at +372 625 9300 or by e-mail at klienditugi [at] stat.ee (klienditugi[at]stat[dot]ee).

The Cultural Participation Survey collects information on the cultural interests, consumption of culture, and hobbies of Estonian residents. The aim of the survey is to provide objective statistics for the setting of cultural policy objectives in various domains of culture.

For the survey, the main representative of public interest is the Ministry of Culture. 

The Cultural Participation Survey is the only major cultural survey in Estonia. The results of the survey reveal which fields of culture people are interested in, what their cultural hobbies are, and in which regions people are more culturally active. The results of the survey help the Ministry of Culture determine how many people are affected by cultural policy decisions and what the economic impact of these decisions might be. The data also show which cultural sectors need more support or should be more accessible.

The survey is conducted every three years. The most recent survey was carried out in 2020/2021.

The survey involves a sample of 10,000 inhabitants of Estonia. The survey population covers all Estonian residents aged 15 or over, excluding inhabitants of institutional households (children’s homes, care homes, cloisters, etc.). All estimates are calculated on the basis of the total population in the area concerned. The volumes of the total population and the subpopulations of persons are found on the basis of the population estimate calculated by Statistics Estonia.

The sample of the cultural participation survey is person-based. 10,000 permanent residents of Estonia aged 15 or over, selected by random sampling, are surveyed. The sampling of persons is carried out by geographically stratified systematic sampling procedure, i.e. independent subsamples are drawn separately from the non-overlapping subpopulations called strata.

Approximately 1% of the population is surveyed and the results are extended to the whole population. Each person in the survey represents about one hundred inhabitants of Estonia.

Before the survey starts, a notification is sent to all the people in the sample, explaining the purpose of the survey and how they will be contacted. The notification is sent to the sampled person at the email address indicated in the population register. If no email address is available, a letter is sent by post to the address in the population register.

In this survey, data are collected through

• an online questionnaire
• a phone interview (for best service, the call is recorded)

Each quarter, two €50 COOP gift vouchers are raffled among all respondents. The winners are announced in October 2023 and January 2024. Statistics Estonia will contact the winners. 

This survey can be completed online at https://estat.stat.ee. The interview is conducted by a specially trained interviewer. The names of Statistics Estonia's interviewers can be checked here. An individual who has been included in a survey can ask for the interviewer's proof of employment. If you have any questions, please contact our customer support by phone at +372 625 9300 or by e-mail at klienditugi [at] stat.ee (klienditugi[at]stat[dot]ee).

The Household Budget Survey identifies the expenditure and budget of Estonian households and provides information on the demographic and social characteristics of household members, household composition, living conditions, and the availability of durable goods.

For the survey, the main representatives of public interest are the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Finance. Data are also forwarded to the European Commission and Eurostat.

The Household Budget Survey is the only way to find out exactly where Estonian households spend their money. Data are collected through a household expenditure diary and questionnaires.

The survey analyses budgets and expenditure by household size and demographic and social characteristics, taking into account family relationships, employment, and education levels. The data are also used to calculate the consumer price index, GDP, and the subsistence minimum.

The survey has been carried out in 1996–2007, 2010–2012, 2015–2016, and 2019–2020. Further surveys will be conducted every five years from 2026.

Participants are randomly selected from the Statistical Population Register from among all permanent residents of Estonia aged 15 or over, excluding those residing in institutional households (prisons, children’s homes, care homes)  on a long-term basis  (one year or longer). The Statistical Population Register combines data from both the population register and the Population and Housing Census (2011). The sampled person also includes his/her household in the survey. The sampling of persons is carried out by disproportionate stratified sampling procedure. In this method, the survey population is divided into non-overlapping subpopulations called strata, and independent subsamples are drawn separately from every subpopulation, applying different inclusion probabilities.

Before the survey starts, a notification is sent to all the people in the sample, explaining the purpose of the survey and how they will be contacted. The notification is sent to the sampled person at the email address indicated in the population register. If no email address is available, a letter is sent by post to the address in the population register.

In this survey, data are collected through a face-to-face interview.

The results of the survey are published in the statistical database under the heading Social life. The data are also available in the dedicated section on households. Information on the quality and metadata of the survey are available in the ESMS metadata section. When new information is published, a news item is released.

The interview is conducted by a specially trained interviewer. The names of Statistics Estonia's interviewers can be checked here. An individual who has been included in a survey can ask for the interviewer's proof of employment. If you have any questions, please contact our customer support by phone at +372 625 9300 or by e-mail at klienditugi [at] stat.ee (klienditugi[at]stat[dot]ee).

Urban Audit is a joint effort by the European Commission's Directorate General for Regional Policy (DG-REGIO), Eurostat, and European countries to collect and disseminate reliable and comparable data on the quality of life in European cities. 

The survey is commissioned by Eurostat.

Data are collected on key statistical domains such as population (sex-age composition, citizenship, births and deaths), social life (household structure and living conditions, housing, labour market, education, culture and leisure), economy (business, tourism), and environment. The collected data allow for comparison between European cities, and the ultimate aim of the project is to contribute to improving the quality of urban life, to support the exchange of experience between European cities, and to identify best practices.

Data for the Urban Audit are collected during biennial data collection rounds.

Cities with a population of more than 50,000 are included in the survey. In Estonia, these are Tallinn, Tartu, and Narva. Data are also collected for the functional urban area (FUA), which consists of a city and its commuting zone. The functional urban areas in Estonia are Harju county (FUA of Tallinn) and Tartu county (FUA of Tartu city). Ida-Viru county is not considered as the commuting zone of Narva, and therefore FUA data are not collected there.

Data of Statistics Estonia are mainly utilised, but data from other national agencies and the cities involved are also used. Depending on the data collection round, surveys and interviews may be carried out.

The Urban Audit data are published in the Eurostat database.

The methodology of the Urban Audit is described here.

If you have any questions, please contact our customer support by phone at +372 625 9300 or by e-mail at klienditugi [at] stat.ee (klienditugi[at]stat[dot]ee.)

The Tourism Module Survey provides an overview of travelling of Estonian residents: the number of domestic and outbound overnights trips, purposes and duration of trips, travel arrangements, and the most popular destinations.

The survey is commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications. The data are also used by the Bank of Estonia, Enterprise Estonia, and Eurostat.

The survey data are used to analyse trips and assess the situation of the tourism sector. Tourism plays an important role in the country's economy and employment, as well as in socio-cultural integration. Collecting data on trips, tourists, travel expenditure, and the economic benefits of tourism is necessary to strengthen national competitiveness.

The survey data are comparable with those of tourism surveys carried out at the same time in other EU countries.

The survey is conducted monthly. Quarterly and annual data are published.

The survey sample is drawn at random from the population register. The name and address of the person interviewed is known only to the interviewer and interviewers supervisor. The data collected are used in an aggregated form, no individual data are examined. Statistics Estonia ensures the protection of all respondents' data in accordance with the Official Statistics Act and the Personal Data Protection Act.

Participation in the tourism survey is voluntary. Each person's circumstances and life journey are unique. Therefore, no one else can replace a person in the survey. A person has the right to refuse to participate in the survey, but in this case, a piece of the whole picture is lost. Participation in the survey is necessary so that the state can rely on truthful and reliable information when making decisions that affect us all.

Before the survey starts, a notification is sent to all the people in the sample, explaining the purpose of the survey and how they will be contacted. The notification is sent to the sampled person at the email address indicated in the population register. If no email address is available, a letter is sent by post to the address in the population register.

In this survey, data are collected through 

• an online questionnaire
• a phone interview (for best service, the call is recorded)

The results of the tourism survey are published in the statistical database under the heading Travelling of Estonian residents.  The data are also available in the dedicated section on tourism, accommodation and food service. When new information is published, a news item is released.

The surveys conducted by Statistics Estonia can be found in the 2024 survey schedule on our website. Online questionnaires can be completed on Statistics Estonia’s website at https://estat.stat.ee. Phone interviews are conducted by specially trained interviewers. The names and phone numbers of Statistics Estonia’s interviewers can be checked on our website. If you have any questions, please contact our customer support by phone at +372 625 9300 or by e-mail at klienditugi [at] stat.ee (klienditugi[at]stat[dot]ee).

The Adult Education Survey is a pan-European personal survey that takes an in-depth look at the state of lifelong learning (formal education, non-formal education and training, and informal learning).  

The survey is coordinated by Eurostat. The main representatives of public interest for the survey in Estonia are the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, and the Ministry of Social Affairs.

The results of the survey allow us to understand, at national and European level, how many and what kind of learning opportunities people take up, what motivates or discourages people from learning, and whether some groups in society need more attention regarding lifelong learning. 

The survey was carried out in 2007, 2011, 2016, and 2022. Further surveys are planned to be conducted every six years (in 2028, etc.).

The 2022 survey covered 6,800 people drawn at random from the Statistical Population Register from among all permanent residents of Estonia aged 18–69. The sampled persons are interviewed regardless of whether or not they have participated in formal education or training.

Before the survey starts, a notification is sent to all the people in the sample, explaining the purpose of the survey and how they will be contacted. The notification is sent to the sampled person at the email address indicated in the population register. If no email address is available, a letter is sent by post to the address in the population register. 

In this survey, data are collected through 

• an online questionnaire
• a phone interview (for best service, the call is recorded)

The results are published in the databases of Statistics Estonia and Eurostat in the year following the survey. 

The interview is conducted by a specially trained interviewer. The names of Statistics Estonia's interviewers can be checked here. An individual who has been included in a survey can ask for the interviewer's proof of employment. If you have any questions, please contact our customer support by phone at +372 625 9300 or by e-mail at klienditugi [at] stat.ee (klienditugi[at]stat[dot]ee).

The Survey of Adult Skills (Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies – PIAAC) provides information on the skills and work experience of adults. It is the most comprehensive adult skills survey ever conducted. The survey covers mainly OECD countries.

In Estonia, the survey is conducted by the Ministry of Education and Research in cooperation with Statistics Estonia. The survey is commissioned by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The Survey of Adult Skills collects information on skills needed for individuals to participate in society and for economies to prosper: literacy, searching for information, and computer and information technology skills. Information on education and work experience is also collected. The data gathered are used to compare the level of skills, education and training opportunities of the population across countries, as well as the competitiveness of countries in the knowledge economy. It helps to understand how Estonian adults are doing compared with their peers in other countries.
The data can be used to draw conclusions about the skills development of adults and to examine the links between key cognitive skills and variables, such as educational background, work experience, training, and the home environment. The results of the survey are taken into account in decision-making on education, training, and working life. For instance, the data from previous studies have been used in the development of the Information Society Development Plan and the Lifelong Learning Strategy, as well as in the improvement of curricula and professional standards in vocational schools.

The survey is administered every 10 years. The first Survey of Adult Skills was conducted in 2010–2012. The next one will be carried out in 2021–2023 in two cycles: the first, smaller cycle, in 2021, and the second, larger cycle, in 2022–2023.

The survey is targeted at all Estonian residents aged 16–65. Participants are drawn at random from the Statistical Population Register. 3,200 people are invited to participate in the first cycle of the survey and 13,000 in the second cycle.

Before the survey starts, a notification is sent to all the people in the sample, explaining the purpose of the survey and how they will be contacted. The notification is sent to the sampled person at the email address indicated in the population register. If no email address is available, a letter is sent by post to the address in the population register.

In this survey, data are collected through a face-to-face interview.

The results of the survey are published on the websites of the Ministry of Education and Research and the OECD. 

The interview is conducted by a specially trained interviewer. The names of Statistics Estonia's interviewers can be checked here. An individual who has been included in a survey can ask for the interviewer's proof of employment. If you have any questions, please contact our customer support by phone at +372 625 9300 or by e-mail at klienditugi [at] stat.ee (klienditugi[at]stat[dot]ee).

The Labour Force Survey assesses the labour market situation in Estonia and provides an overview of the economic activity, employment, and working conditions of the Estonian population. This is the oldest and the largest full-year personal survey in Estonia.

Statistics Estonia has been administering the Estonian Labour Force Survey since 1995. The survey is commissioned by Eurostat and is conducted internationally. The survey data are used, for example, by the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Data collected by the Labour Force Survey are used to monitor and analyse the Estonian economy and labour market developments. The data are also needed by the state for forecasting and for the preparation of the state budget. The advantage of a personal interview survey over business surveys and administrative data is that it provides a comprehensive view of the working-age population. For example, a survey of enterprises does not take into account workers with an informal employment relationship, but they are included in the Labour Force Survey.

The survey uses the methodology of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which allows comparisons between countries.

Since 2000, data are collected throughout the year and results are presented on a quarterly and annual basis.

Participants in the Labour Force Survey are randomly selected from the population register from persons aged 15 years and over. The sampled person also includes his/her household in the survey and all household members are interviewed.

Before the survey starts, a notification is sent to all the people in the sample, explaining the purpose of the survey and how they will be contacted. The notification is sent to the sampled person at the email address indicated in the population register. If no email address is available, a letter is sent by post to the address in the population register.

In this survey, data are collected through

• an online questionnaire
• a phone interview (for best service, the call is recorded)

The results are published quarterly in the statistical database under the headings Social life and Labour market, and in the labour market application (available in Estonian). The results are also reported in the work life news.

The surveys conducted by Statistics Estonia can be found in the 2024 survey schedule on our website. Online questionnaires can be completed on Statistics Estonia’s website at https://estat.stat.ee. Phone interviews are conducted by specially trained interviewers. The names and phone numbers of Statistics Estonia’s interviewers can be checked on our website. If you have any questions, please contact our customer support by phone at +372 625 9300 or by e-mail at klienditugi [at] stat.ee (klienditugi[at]stat[dot]ee)

Changes in the methodology of the Estonian Labour Force Survey (2021)

The Estonian Household Finance and Consumption Survey assesses the real and financial assets and debt levels of Estonian households, as well as their income, savings, and consumption behaviour.

The survey is conducted in cooperation with the Bank of Estonia (Eesti Pank). The same kind of surveys are carried out in all euro area countries, organised by national central banks and coordinated by the European Central Bank. Collecting similar data across the entire euro area allows comparisons of results between countries.

The results of the survey can be used to analyse the impact of rising debt on the economy, which will help in formulating monetary policy to prevent possible future economic crises.

The Household Finance and Consumption Survey has been conducted in Estonia in 2013, 2017, 2021 and 2024.

The survey population includes all households residing permanently in Estonia, excluding inhabitants of institutional households (children’s homes, care homes, cloisters, etc.). The survey is conducted as a panel survey, i.e. households responding to the previous wave of the survey are contacted. A household participates in the survey a maximum of four times, after which it is dropped from the survey along with all of its split-off households. In each wave, new participants are also included in the survey, selected systematically from the population register from among persons aged 14 years and over. Each person brings their household to the sample. The household questionnaire is answered by the person who is most familiar with the household's finances, the personal questionnaire by all members of the household aged 16 or over. The results are extended to the whole population.

Statistics Estonia carries out the Estonian Household Finance and Consumption Survey according to a set procedure. Before the survey starts, a notification is sent to all the people in the sample, explaining the purpose of the survey and how they will be contacted. The notification is sent to the sampled person at the email address indicated in the population register. If no email address is available, a letter is sent by post to the address in the population register.

In this survey, data are collected through 

• an online questionnaire
• a phone interview (for best service, the call is recorded)

The data collected are used in a generalised way, no individual data are considered. Statistics Estonia ensures the protection of all respondents' data in accordance with the Official Statistics Act and the Personal Data Protection Act. Those interested can find out more about these legal acts in Estonia’s official online publication, Riigi Teataja (State Gazette). Participation in the survey is voluntary and in completing it, people are expected to show a sense of civic duty: the state must help its citizens and the citizens must help the state.

The results of the survey are published in an aggregated form on the websites of the Bank of Estonia and the European Central Bank.

Households that participate in the survey are rewarded with a €15 gift voucher.

The surveys conducted by Statistics Estonia can be found in the 2024 survey schedule on our website. Online questionnaires can be completed on Statistics Estonia’s website at https://estat.stat.ee. Phone interviews are conducted by specially trained interviewers. The names and phone numbers of Statistics Estonia’s interviewers can be checked on our website. If you have any questions, please contact our customer support by phone at +372 625 9300 or by e-mail at klienditugi [at] stat.ee (klienditugi[at]stat[dot]ee).

The Estonian Social Survey helps to assess household and individual income distribution, living conditions, and social exclusion. Such a survey is conducted in all EU countries.

For the survey, the main representative of public interest is the Ministry of Social Affairs. Data are also forwarded to the European Commission and Eurostat.

The Estonian Social Survey collects information on the experiences, opinions, economic situation, and living conditions of people living in Estonia. The survey reveals the number and types of households in Estonia, the number of children in them, and the economic situation of households. The data can be used to develop national social policies and services. Leaders, academics, and opinion formers in Estonia often talk about our people's livelihoods, poverty and deprivation, income, living conditions, and access to healthcare. This information, in many instances, comes from the Estonian Social Survey.

The Estonian Social Survey has been conducted annually since 2004.

The survey population includes all households residing permanently in Estonia, excluding inhabitants of institutional households (children's homes, care homes, cloisters, etc.). Participants are randomly selected from the population register from persons aged 14 or over. Each person brings their household to the sample. All members of that household aged 15 or over are surveyed. Each household is interviewed every 12 months for 4 consecutive years. Every year, some of the households are replaced. 

Households are not repeated in the one-year sample to ensure accuracy. Re-interviewing households in several consecutive years helps to better assess changes over the year.

Approximately 1% of the population is interviewed in the course of the Estonian Social Survey. The results are extended to the whole population. This means that each person included in the survey represents about one hundred inhabitants of Estonia. The name and address of the person interviewed is known only to the interviewer and interviewers supervisor.

The data collected are used in an aggregated form, no individual data are examined. Statistics Estonia ensures the protection of all respondents' data in accordance with the Official Statistics Act and the Personal Data Protection Act. Those interested can find out more about the legislation in Estonia's official online publication, Riigi Teataja (State Gazette).

Participation in the Social Survey is voluntary and in completing it, people are expected to show a sense of civic duty: the state must help its citizens and citizens must help the state. Each person's circumstances and life journey are unique. Therefore, no one else can replace a person in the survey. A person has the right to refuse to participate in the survey, but in this case, a piece of the whole picture is lost. Participation in the survey is necessary for the state to be able to rely on truthful and reliable information when making decisions that affect us all.

Before the survey starts, a notification is sent to all the people in the sample, explaining the purpose of the survey and how they will be contacted. The notification is sent to the sampled person at the email address indicated in the population register. If no email address is available, a letter is sent by post to the address in the population register. 

In this survey, data are collected through

• an online questionnaire 
• a phone interview (for best service, the call is recorded)

The data collected in the Estonian Social Survey are published in the statistical database under the heading Social life. More in-depth analyses are available on Statistics Estonia's blog. Information on survey quality and metadata can be found in the ESMS metadata section.

The surveys conducted by Statistics Estonia can be found in the 2024 survey schedule on our website. Online questionnaires can be completed on Statistics Estonia’s website at https://estat.stat.ee. Phone interviews are conducted by specially trained interviewers. The names and phone numbers of Statistics Estonia’s interviewers can be checked on our website. If you have any questions, please contact our customer support by phone at +372 625 9300 or by e-mail at klienditugi [at] stat.ee (klienditugi[at]stat[dot]ee).

The Estonian Health Interview Survey assesses the health status of the Estonian population, the factors influencing it, and the use of health services.

The survey is conducted in cooperation with the National Institute for Health Development and the Ministry of Social Affairs. The survey is part of the European Union Health Survey.

The data collected in the Estonian Health Interview Survey offer insight into the health status of population groups. Links between health and socio-economic and other factors are considered and social coping and health-related needs are assessed. Comparison of data with those from previous years reflects changes in population health. The results of the survey are used to develop population health and prevention programmes and to evaluate ongoing activities.

Data from the Estonian Health Interview Survey can be compared with data from health surveys carried out at the same time in other EU countries. Comparing countries helps to assess Union-wide programmes and policies covering population health, social protection, social inclusion, health inequalities, and healthy ageing.

In Estonia, the Health Interview Survey has been conducted four times: in 1996, 2006, 2014, and 2019.

The survey sample is drawn at random from the population register. The sample covers 8,500 people. Persons aged 15 years and over are interviewed.

Before the survey starts, a notification is sent to all the people in the sample, explaining the purpose of the survey and how they will be contacted. The notification is sent to the sampled person at the email address indicated in the population register. If no email address is available, a letter is sent by post to the address in the population register.

In this survey, data are collected through

• an online questionnaire 

• a face-to-face interview 

Data from the 2019 Estonian Health Interview Survey are published in the Health Statistics and Health Research Database administered by the National Institute for Health Development. The results of the previous surveys are available there as well.

Statistics Estonia also forwards data to Eurostat.

This survey can be answered online at https://estat.stat.ee. The interview is conducted by a specially trained interviewer. The names of Statistics Estonia's interviewers can be checked here. An individual who has been included in a survey can ask for the interviewer's proof of employment. If you have any questions, please contact our customer support by phone at +372 625 9300 or by e-mail at klienditugi [at] stat.ee (klienditugi[at]stat[dot]ee). 

The results of the European Social Fund (ESF) Participants Survey are used to assess the effectiveness of the use of European Social Fund money.

The survey is conducted in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance.

Since 2014, Estonia has been allocated nearly €600 million from the European Social Fund (ESF), which is used to finance retraining, support person services, training programmes, and other activities for the unemployed. The effectiveness of using these funds cannot only be measured by spending, but also by results. This is done by looking at the participants' position in the labour market at the start of an activity and exploring how it has changed four weeks and six months after the end of the activity. Most of the data are obtained from databases. Occasionally, participants also need to be interviewed.

The survey takes place once a month.

Data on participants are collected from the organiser of an activity.
The data are analysed in two groups:

• participants who were in employment at the start of an ESF-funded activity and for whom six months have passed since the end of the activity
• persons who participated in an ESF-funded activity through the Unemployment Insurance Fund and for whom four weeks have passed since the end of the last activity.

This survey can be completed online.

Data collected from the questionnaires of participants, databases, and surveys of respondents are compiled in a single database. The data are used to calculate performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of the use of ESF funds. A report is also submitted to the European Commission.

Examples of performance indicators include:

• the number of participants who were unemployed or inactive at the start of the activity but who had found a job four weeks after the end of the activity
• the number of participants who were in employment within six months of the activity
• the number of participants who had improved their labour market situation within six months of participating in the activity

The survey of participants in ESF-funded activities is a short questionnaire that can be completed online at https://estat.stat.ee. If you have any questions, please contact our customer support by phone at +372 625 9300 or by e-mail at klienditugi [at] stat.ee (klienditugi[at]stat[dot]ee).

The European Social Survey (ESS) identifies the social structure of European countries and people’s living conditions, and analyses the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviour of people in relation to the development of institutions.

The survey is funded by the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and the University of Tartu.

The aim of the European Social Survey is to bring together high-quality data to study the development of societies and people's behaviour. It is an international social science survey, the results of which are used in many fields. Data have been collected since 2002. To date, the data of nearly 500,000 people from 35 countries have been pooled. In order to compare the data between countries, strict rules are to be followed when conducting the survey.

The survey is carried out every two years. Statistics Estonia last conducted the survey in 2022.

The survey sample is drawn at random from the population register. The name and address of the person interviewed is known only to the interviewer and interviewers supervisor. The data collected are used in an aggregated form, no individual data are examined. Statistics Estonia ensures the protection of all respondents' data in accordance with the Official Statistics Act and the Personal Data Protection Act.

Before the survey starts, a notification is sent to all the people in the sample, explaining the purpose of the survey and how they will be contacted. The notification is sent to the sampled person at the email address indicated in the population register. If no email address is available, a letter is sent by post to the address in the population register.

Data are collected through a face-to-face interview.

The results of the European Social Survey are available on the website of the University of Tartu Institute of Social Sciences (only in Estonian).

The interview is conducted by a specially trained interviewer. The names of Statistics Estonia's interviewers can be checked here. An individual who has been included in a survey can ask for the interviewer's proof of employment. If you have any questions, please contact our customer support by phone at +372 625 9300 or by e-mail at klienditugi [at] stat.ee (klienditugi[at]stat[dot]ee).

The SHARE (Survey on Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe) international survey collects data on the health, employment, and retirement of people over the age of 50.

Until 2023, SHARE was coordinated by the Munich Center for the Economics of Aging (MEA) at the Max Planck Institute for Social Law and Social Policy in Germany. As of 2023, SHARE is led by the new dedicated SHARE BERLIN Institute, based in Berlin. The countries conducting the SHARE survey established SHARE ERIC, an international rights organisation, in 2011. Hundreds of specialists from across Europe and beyond are part of the international research team.

The SHARE survey has been identified by the European Commission as a key source for assessing the comparability of national policies on social protection and social inclusion. The results of this survey are used to assess national pension, health, and welfare policies.

In Estonia, the survey is coordinated by the Estonian Institute for Population Studies of Tallinn University in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs, the National Institute for Health Development, and institutes of Tallinn University, University of Tartu, and Tallinn University of Technology. 

The population is ageing. Against this background, the state needs to improve its social security system, medical services, and the socio-economic environment. The survey reveals how quality of life affects health outcomes and economic opportunities in retirement.

Nine waves of SHARE were conducted between 2004 and 2022. Estonia joined the fourth wave in 2011. From 2024 to 2025, Statistics Estonia will conduct the 10th wave of SHARE. The initial plan was to carry on the surveys until 2024, but at the international SHARE-ERIC Council Meeting in 2022 it was decided that the survey would continue beyond the end of the 10th wave in 2024. The survey waves are carried out every other year.

People aged 50 or over were randomly selected at the start of the survey in 2011. Each wave also includes new people who have since entered the age group in question. The new sample persons also continue to report their life changes every two years.

Before the survey starts, a notification is sent to all the people in the sample, explaining the purpose of the survey and how they will be contacted. The notification is sent to the sampled person at thepostal address indicated in the population register.

In this survey, data are collected through a face-to-face interview. Some of the interim survey waves are conducted as telephone interviews.

Statistics Estonia publishes most of the data collected by SHARE in the statistical database under the heading Multidomain statistics.

Each respondent receives a souvenir/gift voucher from the interviewer.

The surveys conducted by Statistics Estonia can be found in the 2024 survey schedule on our website. Face-to-face interviews are conducted by specially trained interviewers. The names and phone numbers of Statistics Estonia's interviewers can be checked on our website. In the case of a face-to-face interview, the respondent can always ask for the interviewer’s proof of employment. If you have any questions, please contact our customer support by phone at +372 625 9300 or by e-mail at klienditugi [at] stat.ee (klienditugi[at]stat[dot]ee).

The aim of the survey is to determine how satisfied residents are with their living environment and the quality of services provided by their municipality. The survey asks for an assessment of mobility, sports and cultural leisure facilities, living environment, public maintenance, provision of general services, and local governance. The municipality of the respondent's primary residence is assessed. Information about the person's place of residence and household is also asked.

The survey is conducted in cooperation between the Ministry of Finance and Statistics Estonia.

Drawing on the results of the survey, local authorities and the state can improve their services and boost local life. The data collected provide feedback on the work done by local authorities.

The results of the first survey were published in 2020. The next surveys will be carried out in 2024 and 2026. The frequency of the survey depends on the order.

The sample of the survey is person-based and drawn at random from the population register. Statistics Estonia ensures the protection of all respondents' data in accordance with the Official Statistics Act and the Personal Data Protection Act. The data collected are only used in an aggregated form.

This survey can be completed online.

The results of the survey are published in the statistical database under the heading Multidomain statistics and on the regional statistics dashboard under Satisfaction with the living environment.

The aggregated results of the survey by municipality are available on the Ministry of Finance's website. It gives an overview of the organisation of and satisfaction with services provided by municipalities. The website helps local authorities develop their regions and gives residents a better overview of local public services.

If you have any questions, please contact our customer support by phone at +372 625 9300 or by e-mail at klienditugi [at] stat.ee (klienditugi[at]stat[dot]ee).

The Working Life Survey provides an overview of work and working time organisation, occupational health, remunerations, employee development and involvement, and collective employment relations in Estonia. Both employers and employees are surveyed to get a comprehensive picture of working life and employment relations in Estonia, to assess the influencing factors, and to compare changes over time.

For the survey, the main representative of public interest is the Ministry of Social Affairs.

The data from the Working Life Survey provide valuable information on working life. The data can be used to identify bottlenecks of working life and plan how to address them. The data are used for labour market policy analysis and research.

The survey covers employers, i.e. managers or representatives of enterprises and institutions, and employees. It is necessary to survey both parties, as responses may differ. For example, employees may not know how many of their company's employees are on permanent contracts. The employer, on the other hand, may not know whether or not an employee belongs to a trade union. Employers' and employees' expectations and evaluations of the company's working life and employment relations may also differ.

The survey is conducted every six years.

Participants – enterprises and institutions – are randomly selected from Statistics Estonia’s business register for statistical purposes. Respondents to the employee survey are also randomly selected from the among the employees of the surveyed enterprises. The number of employees selected to respond from an enterprise depends on the number of employees working in that enterprise.

Before the survey starts, a notification is sent to all the people in the sample, explaining the purpose of the survey and how they will be contacted. The notification is sent to the sampled person at the email address indicated in the population register. If no email address is available, a letter is sent by post to the address in the population register. 

In this survey, data are collected through

• an online questionnaire 
• a face-to-face interview 

Working life statistics are published in the statistical database under the heading Social life. The results of the survey are used in a wide range of analyses (in Estonian).

This survey can be completed online at https://estat.stat.ee. The interview is conducted by a specially trained interviewer. The names of Statistics Estonia's interviewers can be checked here. An individual who has been included in a survey can ask for the interviewer's proof of employment. If you have any questions, please contact our customer support by phone at +372 625 9300 or by e-mail at klienditugi [at] stat.ee (klienditugi[at]stat[dot]ee).

The relationship survey reveals how Estonia's inhabitants rate the quality of their relationships at home, at work, and elsewhere. The knowledge generated by the survey allows an assessment of the quality and safety of human relationships, and the state can use this information to help people in the best possible way. The survey also shows how far the Estonian society is in the development of human rights and social policy and how we compare with other countries. The survey is conducted in all EU countries on the basis of a reliable and comparable methodology.

For the survey, the main representatives of public interest are the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Social Affairs. The results are also forwarded to the European Commission and Eurostat.

The insights gained from the survey help assess how far the Estonian society is in the development of human rights and social policy and how we compare with other countries. The results identify the main vulnerable groups, the risk and protective factors of abuse, and the possible trajectories leading to victimisation. In addition, we examine how well informed people in Estonia are about how to find help and what the bottlenecks are. 

The survey is carried out for the first time in Estonia. The survey is planned to be repeated in the future, but the exact frequency will depend on the need and is to be agreed in the European cooperation networks.

The survey population includes all permanent residents of Estonia, excluding inhabitants of institutional households (children’s homes, care homes, cloisters, etc.). Participants are randomly selected from the population register from among people aged 18–74 years. In order to be able to extend the results to the whole population, around 16,700 people are surveyed.

Statistics Estonia ensures the protection of all respondents' data in accordance with the Official Statistics Act and the Personal Data Protection Act. The collected data are only used in a highly aggregated form. If you have been selected to participate in the survey, please do so – your answers are important because truthful and reliable information is the best basis for the government to make decisions that affect us all.

Before the survey starts, a notification is sent to all the people in the sample, explaining the purpose of the survey and how they will be contacted. The notification is sent to the sampled person at the email address indicated in the population register. If no email address is available, a letter is sent by post to the address in the population register. 

Data are collected through an online questionnaire and a face-to-face interview.

Data from the relationship survey are published in the statistical Statistical database  under the heading Social life Justice and security in the first half of 2023.

The survey can be completed online at https://estat.stat.ee. However, if you prefer a face-to-face survey, it is conducted by a specially trained interviewer. The names of Statistics Estonia's interviewers can be checked here. An individual who has been included in a survey can ask for the interviewer's proof of employment. If you have any questions, please contact our customer support by phone at +372 625 9300 or by e-mail at klienditugi [at] stat.ee (klienditugi[at]stat[dot]ee).

Don't be alone in your worries! If you feel that abuse may be happening in any of your relationships, check out these links for useful information (in Estonian and Russian only):

Relationship survey leaflet (ET)

Relationship survey leaflet (RU)