Estonian Health Interview Survey
What kind of survey is it?
The Estonian Health Interview Survey assesses the health status of the Estonian population, the factors influencing it, and the use of health services. The 2025 survey consists of two parts:
- the core survey, which is part of the fourth wave of the European Union Health Interview Survey and part of the official statistical programme;
- 18 additional voluntary questions that specify Estonia's needs in shaping health policy. More detailed information is available here: https://www.tai.ee/et/teadustoo/teadustoo-ulevaade/seireuuringud/eesti-terviseuuring/eesti-terviseuuring-2025-taiendavate.
Who commissions the survey?
The survey is conducted in cooperation with the National Institute for Health Development and the Ministry of Social Affairs.
The core of the survey is based on the methodology harmonised by Eurostat (including the questionnaire), ensuring the comparability of results between European countries.
The core part of the survey is supplemented by 18 voluntary questions added to the questionnaire at the request of the National Institute for Health Development and the Ministry of Social Affairs. Read more here: https://www.tai.ee/et/teadustoo/teadustoo-ulevaade/seireuuringud/eesti-terviseuuring/eesti-terviseuuring-2025-taiendavate.
Why are the data needed?
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.
The mandatory data collection for the European Health Interview Survey is supplemented by 18 additional questions in the questionnaire that take into account national needs. The core survey, together with the additional questions and variables linked from registers, form a coherent whole. https://www.tai.ee/et/teadustoo/teadustoo-ulevaade/seireuuringud/eesti-terviseuuring/eesti-terviseuuring-2025-taiendavate.
The answers to the questions added to the questionnaire in response to the needs of the Estonian state, along with the answers to the questions on the corresponding topics in the core survey and socio-demographic background characteristics, enable a more in-depth analysis of important health issues than would be possible with the mandatory part alone.
How often is the survey conducted?
In Estonia, the Health Interview Survey has been conducted four times: in 1996, 2006, 2014, and 2019, and the fifth survey wave is currently underway (in 2025).
How are the participants selected?
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.
How are the data collected?
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 sample 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 telephone interview.
For best service, the survey interview call is recorded with the consent of the respondent.
The interviewer will make a maximum of 10 contact attempts to reach the person selected for the sample.
The survey, which includes 18 questions added to meet the needs of the Estonian state, has been coordinated with the Data Protection Inspectorate and the National Institute for Health Development's Human Research Ethics Committee.
Pseudonymised data will be added to Statistics Estonia's secure research work environment in the first quarter of 2027.
- Core survey data will be stored in pseudonymised form in the research work environment until the end of the first quarter of 2037.
- Pseudonymised data linked from registers will be stored for 10 years to enable comparison with the data collected in subsequent waves of the survey.
- Data collected with the additional questions will be pseudonymised in the same way, however, these will be stored for a shorter period of 5 years (Q1 2027 – Q2 2032), which is sufficient to fulfil the objectives of the survey.
How are the participants thanked for their contribution?
Five €50 gift vouchers are drawn among all respondents every month.
The sample person can consent to participate in the prize draw when filling in the questionnaire.
How can I make sure that it is a survey by Statistics Estonia?
The surveys conducted by Statistics Estonia can be found in the 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 email at klienditugi [at] stat.ee (klienditugi[at]stat[dot]ee).
Where are the results published?
The results of the Estonian Health Interview Survey are published in the database of the National Institute for Health Development. Data from 2019 and earlier have also been 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, You can read more about it here: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/microdata/european-health-interview-survey.