According to Statistics Estonia, in the 1st quarter of 2018, the unemployment rate was 6.8%, the employment rate 66.6% and the labour force participation rate 71.4%. Compared to the 1st quarter of 2017, economic activity of the population increased mainly due to an increase in unemployment but somewhat also due to an increase in employment.

According to Statistics Estonia, in October 2017, the average gross hourly earnings of female employees were 20.9% lower than the average gross hourly earnings of male employees. After three years of decrease, the gender pay gap remained at the same level as in the previous year.

According to Statistics Estonia, in 2017, the average monthly gross income per employee was 1,155 euros. The gross income increased 7.6% compared to 2016; growth was the fastest (8.6%) in the age group of young people (aged under 25).

According to Statistics Estonia, in March 2018, the exports of goods decreased by 3% and imports increased by 4% compared to March 2017. In the first quarter of the current year, exports increased by 6% and imports by 2%, compared to the same period of 2017.

According to the revised data of Statistics Estonia, 1,319,133 persons lived in Estonia on 1 January 2018, which is 3,499 persons more than at the same a year earlier. In 2017, the population figure decreased by 1,759 persons due to natural increase, but increased by 5,258 persons as a result of positive net migration.

Estonia’s research and development intensity indicator was 1.28 in 2016, placing Estonia 13th in the ranking of the European Union countries. Estonia is significantly ahead of Lithuania and Latvia, but still lags far behind Finland.

According to Statistics Estonia, the change of the consumer price index in April 2018 was 0.4% compared to March 2018 and 2.9% compared to April of the previous year.

According to Statistics Estonia, in March 2018, domestic and foreign tourists staying in accommodation establishments numbered 239,000, which is 5% more than in March 2017. The number of both domestic and foreign tourists increased.

Today, Statistics Estonia presented at a press conference a comparative survey of household and place of residence data. The survey, taking place from May until October, is conducted to test the quality of the methodology of the register-based population and housing census. 30,000 persons will be surveyed.

According to Statistics Estonia, in March 2018, compared to March of the previous year, the turnover of retail trade enterprises increased 1% at constant prices. While in February, the turnover increased 3% compared to the same month of the previous year, the growth decelerated slightly in March.

According to Statistics Estonia, in March 2018, the production of industrial enterprises increased 8% compared to March 2017. Production increased in manufacturing as well in mining and in energy.

Statistics Estonia announces the competition for the young statistician’s grant named after Albert Pullerits.