The unemployment rate was 7.1% in the first quarter
According to Statistics Estonia, in the first quarter of 2026, the unemployment rate was 7.1%, the employment rate was 68%, and the labour force participation rate was 73.2%. Labour market indicators improved year on year but were not as good as in the previous quarter.
Exports and imports of goods both increased in March
According to Statistics Estonia, in March, Estonia’s exports of goods increased by 8% and imports by 6% compared with March last year. Exports of goods amounted to over 1.8 billion and imports to nearly 2.1 billion euros at current prices. Exports of goods of Estonian origin increased in March year on year.
Consumer price index up by 3.4% in April year on year
According to Statistics Estonia, in April, the consumer price index increased by 0.8% compared with March and by 3.4% compared with April 2025. Goods were 3.8% and services 2.8% more expensive than in April last year.
Industrial production was down by 3.1% in March
According to Statistics Estonia, in March 2026, the total production of industrial enterprises decreased by 3.1% at constant prices compared with March 2025. Among the three industrial sectors, output increased by 5.9% in mining but decreased by 19.5% in energy production and by 1.2% in manufacturing.
Statistics Estonia starts monitoring consumers’ and enterprises’ economic confidence: each response matters
On 4 May, Statistics Estonia begins the economic sentiment surveys that show how secure Estonian residents feel financially and how enterprises see the future of their business activities.
GDP flash estimate: the economy grew by 1.3% in Q1
According to the preliminary estimate of Statistics Estonia, in the first quarter of 2026, the gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 1.3% compared with the same period of 2025.