Share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Estonia
Estonia: Share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas was 2.6% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Estonia, 1991–2023
Source: ILO via World Bank – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2023, share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Estonia stood at 2.6%. That is the lowest value across all 33 years on record.
The figure is down 0.1% on the previous year and down 39.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Estonia peaked at 19.3% in 1991 and was at its lowest, 2.6%, in 2023.
That places Estonia 154th out of 186 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Estonia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 19.3% | — |
| 1992 | 18.1% | -6.1% |
| 1993 | 16.0% | -11.5% |
| 1994 | 14.2% | -11.5% |
| 1995 | 10.2% | -28.1% |
| 1996 | 9.7% | -4.5% |
| 1997 | 9.7% | -0.3% |
| 1998 | 9.3% | -4.0% |
| 1999 | 8.6% | -7.8% |
| 2000 | 6.4% | -25.8% |
| 2001 | 6.3% | -0.3% |
| 2002 | 6.6% | +4.0% |
| 2003 | 6.2% | -5.5% |
| 2004 | 5.1% | -18.8% |
| 2005 | 5.2% | +2.6% |
| 2006 | 5.1% | -2.5% |
| 2007 | 4.8% | -5.7% |
| 2008 | 3.9% | -18.3% |
| 2009 | 4.1% | +3.9% |
| 2010 | 4.2% | +4.0% |
| 2011 | 4.4% | +4.6% |
| 2012 | 4.5% | +1.8% |
| 2013 | 4.3% | -5.1% |
| 2014 | 3.9% | -9.5% |
| 2015 | 4.0% | +4.5% |
| 2016 | 3.9% | -3.3% |
| 2017 | 3.6% | -7.0% |
| 2018 | 3.4% | -5.3% |
| 2019 | 3.3% | -2.7% |
| 2020 | 3.1% | -7.7% |
| 2021 | 2.7% | -12.9% |
| 2022 | 2.6% | -3.0% |
| 2023 | 2.6% | -0.1% |
Estonia compared with similar countries
- Estonia's 2.6% is below the median for high income countries, which is 2.6%, 99% of the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Estonia's 2.6% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 4.9%, 53% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 12.8% | 8.6% | 19.3% | 9 |
| 2000s | 5.4% | 3.9% | 6.6% | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.0% | 3.3% | 4.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.7% | 2.6% | 3.1% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Estonia
More agriculture & rural data for Estonia
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 1.64 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.0165 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 566.81 current US$ per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate -0.5048 % change on previous year (2025)
- Rural population, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Rural population, per capita 0.2928 units per person (2025)
- Share of GDP from agriculture 1.6% (2025)
- Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita 1.6% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials exports 6.6% (2024)
- Agricultural raw materials imports 2.7% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Estonia?
- Share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Estonia was 2.6% in 2023, according to ILO via World Bank – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas recorded in Estonia?
- The highest recorded value was 19.3% in 1991.
- What is the lowest share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas recorded in Estonia?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.6% in 2023.
- How does Estonia rank for share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas?
- Estonia ranks 154th out of 186 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas rising or falling in Estonia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 39.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Estonia data come from?
- The figures come from ILO via World Bank – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The share of people employed in agriculture includes working-age people with a job in farming, forestry, fishing, and related activities, including those temporarily absent.