HICP flash estimate: prices up by 0.5% in September
According to the preliminary estimate of Statistics Estonia, in September, the harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP), which includes the expenditures of tourists, increased by 0.5% compared with August and by 3% compared with September 2025. This is a flash estimate which will be refined once more detailed data on September prices are received.
Confidence remains the highest in the retail trade sector and the lowest in construction
On 25 September, Statistics Estonia published the results of the business and consumer surveys for September. Compared with the previous month, confidence has improved slightly among retail trade and construction enterprises and has fallen a little in the services and industry sectors. Consumer confidence has remained at the same level as in August.
65% of people and 34% of enterprises use AI
The latest information technology surveys conducted by Statistics Estonia show that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) increased significantly in 2026 compared with the year before. AI use was up both among enterprises and among individuals, with the use of AI tools for private purposes rising by 53%. There was also a rise in the use of internet-connected devices, such as smart TVs and smart watches.
HICP flash estimate: prices up by 0.3% in August
According to the preliminary estimate of Statistics Estonia, in August 2026, the harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP), which includes the expenditures of tourists, increased by 0.3% compared with July. Compared with August last year, the HICP rose by 1.3%. This is a flash estimate which will be refined once more detailed data on August prices are received.
Construction prices increased by 3.8% in the third quarter year on year
According to Statistics Estonia, in the third quarter of 2026, the construction price index increased by 3.8% compared with the third quarter of 2025 and by 1% compared with the second quarter of this year. Rising wages and the higher prices of building materials had the biggest impact on the index in the third quarter.
Construction volume increased for the second quarter in a row
According to Statistics Estonia, in the second quarter of 2026, the total production value of Estonian construction enterprises in Estonia and abroad increased by 3.8% compared with the second quarter of 2025. Considering only the domestic market, the rise in construction volume was 4.6%.
Higher building material prices pushed up construction prices in the second quarter
According to Statistics Estonia, the construction price index, which expresses the change in the cost of construction activity, rose by 3.1% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the same period last year and by 1.9% compared with the first quarter of this year. In the second quarter, the index was most affected by the rise in the prices of building materials.
Construction volume on the domestic market increased by 5% in the first quarter
According to Statistics Estonia, in the first quarter of 2026, the total production value of Estonian construction enterprises in Estonia and abroad increased by 4% compared with the first quarter of 2025. On the domestic construction market, the volume of construction grew by 5%.
Construction prices rose by 2% in the first quarter
According to Statistics Estonia, in the first quarter of 2026, the construction price index increased by 2% compared with the first quarter of 2025 and by 0.5% compared with the fourth quarter of last year. The rise in employees’ wages had the biggest impact on the construction price index in the first quarter.
Construction volume down by 1.5% last year
According to the preliminary data of Statistics Estonia, in 2025, the total production value of Estonian construction enterprises in Estonia and abroad decreased by 1.5% compared with 2024. The volume of construction declined for the fourth consecutive year.
Construction prices rose by 1.5% last year
According to Statistics Estonia, the construction price index, which expresses the change in construction expenditures, increased by 1.5% in 2025 compared with the average of 2024. The rising cost of materials was the main reason for the increase in the construction price index.
Construction volume in the third quarter up on the domestic market, down abroad
According to Statistics Estonia, in the third quarter of 2025, the total production value of Estonian construction enterprises in Estonia and abroad decreased by 0.6% compared with the third quarter of 2024. On the domestic construction market, however, the rise in construction volume was 0.4%.
Construction volume down by 1.2% in the second quarter
According to Statistics Estonia, in the second quarter of 2025, the total construction volume of Estonian construction enterprises in Estonia and abroad decreased by 1.2% compared with the second quarter of 2024. On the domestic construction market, the volume of construction fell by 1.4%.
Construction price index up by 1.4% compared with the second quarter of last year
According to Statistics Estonia, in the second quarter of 2025, the construction price index increased by 0.9% compared with the first quarter and by 1.4% compared with the second quarter of 2024. Compared with the beginning of the year, the construction price index in the second quarter was most affected by the prices of building materials, which began to go up again.
Construction volume up by 5% in the first quarter
According to Statistics Estonia, in the first quarter of 2025, the total production value of Estonian construction enterprises in Estonia and abroad increased by 5% compared with the first quarter of 2024. Considering only the domestic market, the rise in construction volume was 3%.
The rise in construction prices in the first quarter was curbed by the lower cost of materials
According to Statistics Estonia, in the first quarter of 2025, the construction price index increased by 0.1% compared with the fourth quarter of 2024 and by 1.2% compared with the first quarter of 2024.