Estonia
Freedom at a Glance
Global Freedom
96 / 100
Free
Internet Freedom
91 / 100
Free
Nations in Transit
83 / 100
Consolidated Democracy
Estonia’s democratic institutions are generally strong, and both political rights and civil liberties are widely respected. However, more than 5 percent of the population remains stateless and cannot participate in national elections. Corruption is a persistent challenge, as is discrimination against ethnic Russians, Roma, LGBT+ people, and others. Far-right and Euroskeptic forces have become increasingly vocal in Estonian politics in recent years.
Research & Recommendations
Estonia
Free
96
100
| PR Political Rights | 39 40 |
| CL Civil Liberties | 57 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
95
100
Free
A country or territory’s Freedom in the World status depends on its aggregate Political Rights score, on a scale of 0–40, and its aggregate Civil Liberties score, on a scale of 0–60.
See the methodology.
Overview
Estonia’s democratic institutions are generally strong, and political rights and civil liberties are widely respected. However, about 5 percent of the population remains stateless and cannot participate in national elections. Corruption, while not pervasive, remains a concern in certain sectors as does discrimination against ethnic Russians, Roma, and other groups. Far-right and Eurosceptic forces have become increasingly vocal in Estonian politics in recent years.
Freedom in the World 2025 Policy Recommendations
Prioritize strengthening the rule of law and delivering economic dividends in the aftermath of political transitions
In countries where democratic forces have come to power after periods of antidemocratic rule, the new governments should pursue an agenda that protects and expands freedoms even as it delivers tangible economic and social benefits to citizens.
In countries emerging from war or the collapse of authoritarian regimes, focus on safety, reconciliation, reform
These countries must act swiftly to release all political prisoners, build or revitalize democratic institutions, reform police and other security forces, organize and hold competitive multiparty elections, and ensure accountability for past human rights violations.
Bolster checks and balances to mitigate the threat of democratic backsliding
In countries where there has been significant erosion of political rights and civil liberties, policymakers, legislators, jurists, civic activists, and donor communities should work to strengthen institutional guardrails and norms that serve to constrain elected leaders with antidemocratic or illiberal aims.
Estonia
Free
91
100
| A Obstacles to Access | 25 25 |
| B Limits on Content | 31 35 |
| C Violations of User Rights | 35 40 |
Last Year's Score & Status
92
100
Free
Scores are based on a scale of 0 (least free) to 100 (most free).
See the methodology and report acknowledgements.
Political Overview
Estonia’s democratic institutions are generally strong, and political rights and civil liberties are widely respected. However, about 5 percent of the population remains stateless and cannot participate in national elections. Ongoing concerns include corruption, which is not pervasive but persists in certain sectors, and discrimination against ethnic Russians, Roma, and other groups. Far-right and Eurosceptic forces have become increasingly vocal in Estonian politics in recent years.
Freedom on the Net 2025 Policy Recommendations
Countering Restrictions on Freedom of Expression
Freedom of expression online has been and is increasingly under attack as governments shut off internet connectivity, block social media platforms, and restrict access to websites that host political, social, and religious speech. Protecting freedom of expression will require strong legal and regulatory safeguards for digital communications.
Countering Manipulation of the Online Environment
Governments should encourage a whole-of-society approach to fostering a high-quality, diverse, and trustworthy information space. The Global Declaration on Information Integrity Online identifies best practices for safeguarding the information ecosystem, to which governments should adhere.
Countering Restrictions on Privacy and Disproportionate Government Surveillance
Comprehensive data-protection regulations and industry policies on data protection are essential for upholding privacy and combating disproportionate government surveillance, but they require careful crafting to ensure that they do not contribute to internet fragmentation—the siloing of the global internet into nation-based segments—and cannot be used by governments to undermine privacy and other fundamental freedoms.
Estonia
Consolidated Democracy
83
100
| DEMOCRACY-PERCENTAGE Democracy Percentage | 83.33 100 |
| DEMOCRACY-SCORE Democracy Score | 6.00 7 |
Last Year's Democracy Percentage & Status
83
100
Consolidated Democracy
The ratings are based on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 representing the highest level of democratic progress and 1 the lowest. The Democracy Score is an average of ratings for the categories tracked in a given year. The Democracy Percentage, introduced in 2020, is a translation of the Democracy Score to the 0-100 scale, where 0 equals least democratic and 100 equals most democratic.
See the methodology.
Executive Summary
Estonian politics became more polarized in 2023. The nationalist opposition, including the far-right Conservative People’s Party of Estonia (EKRE) and the Isamaa party, confronted the liberal governing coalition comprised of the Reform Party, Estonia 200, and the Social Democratic Party, on defense, military support for Ukraine, taxes, and LGBT+-rights. On foreign policy, the EKRE has pushed to decrease aid to Ukraine and instead focus the government’s resources on strengthening Estonia´s military. The governing coalition, however, has argued that Estonia can both support Ukraine and prioritize its own defense to deter Russian aggression. Nearly 60,000 Ukrainian refugees have fled to Estonia and been granted permission to stay, which prompted municipal-level initiatives to enhance Ukrainian integration and facilitate a smooth process to receive refugees and returnees.
Nations in Transit 2024 Policy Recommendations
Ensure that Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine is soundly defeated.
The future of European democracy and security is now inextricably linked to the fate of Ukraine. European Union (EU) and NATO member states must not only invest far more—and more efficiently—in their collective defense, but also provide Ukraine with the assistance it needs to roll back Russian advances and build a durable democracy of its own.
Support democratic renewal and reform.
In addition to defending the international order from emboldened autocrats, democratic governments must attend to democratic renewal within Europe, particularly among nascent democracies.
Provide consistent messaging and support to Europe’s aspiring democracies.
Military aggression from autocracies in the region has underscored the dangers of exclusion from democracy-based organizations like the EU and NATO, galvanizing the political will of policymakers in aspiring member states and generating further public pressure to undertake long-sought democratic reforms.
News and Updates
Featured
Freedom House Perspectives
News Releases & Media Coverage
Policy & Advocacy
Country Facts
Basic Facts
Freedom in the World Score
96
/ 100
Free
Freedom on the Net Score
91
/ 100
Free
Nations in Transit Score
83
/ 100
Consolidated Democracy
Population: 1,349,000
Internet Facts
Status
Free
Networks Restricted
No
Social Media Blocked
No
Websites Blocked
Yes
Pro-government Commentators
No
Users Arrested
Yes
Election Facts
Status
Past Election
Date of Election
March 5, 2023
Type of Election
Parliamentary
Internet Penetration
90.33%
Election Year
2023
Vulnerability Index
93
/ 100
Transnational Repression
Status
Not Tracked
