Estonia

Demographics

Indigenous Estonian-speaking ethnic Estonians constitute nearly seventy percent of the population and the majority amongst the remaining thirty percent are mostly first and second generation immigrants from various parts of the former Soviet Union, mainly Russia. The latter, mostly Russian-speaking ethnic minorities reside predominantly in the capital city (Tallinn) and the industrial urban areas in northeastern Estonia (Ida-Virumaa county). There is also a small group of Finnish descent.

Related Topics:
Russia - Finnish

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The country's official language is Estonian, which is closely related to Finnish. Russian is also much more widely understood than spoken by 30-70 year old ethnic Estonians (learning Russian in schools in large volume as the second language was compulsory for them during the Soviet era). Younger people can usually speak English, having learned it as their first foreign language.

Related Topics:
Estonian - Finnish - Russian - English

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Ethnicity

According to the most recent national census taken in 2003, the population of Estonia was comprised of the following self-reported ethnic groups:

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• 68.4% Estonians
• 25.7% Russians
• 2.1% Ukrainians
• 1.2% Belarusians
• 0.8% Finns
• 1.7% others

Religion

The predominant religion of indigenous ethnic Estonians is the Christian belief in the form the Protestant Evangelical Lutheran confession, however less than a quarter of ethnic Estonians define themselves as active believers at present. Most believers amongst the Russian minority are Eastern Orthodox. The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople has since 1920s recognised a separate national Estonian Orthodox Church, which has led to strained relations with the Russian Orthodox Church, which claimed sole authority over Orthodox believers in the country during the period of Soviet rule.

Related Topics:
Christian - Protestant - Evangelical Lutheran - Eastern Orthodox - Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople - Estonian Orthodox Church - Russian Orthodox Church

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Today, over 31% of the adult population are active followers of a particular faith, and they are made up of:

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• 15% Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church
• 14% Orthodox
• 0.5% Baptists
• 0.5% Roman Catholics

There are also a number of smaller Protestant and Jewish groups, as well as some neopagans who revere the local ancient deity Taara.

Related Topics:
Jewish - Neopagans - Taara

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