Estonia Agriculture Employment
Employment in agriculture SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS
Estonia's agriculture employment was 2.96% in 2025, ranked 40th globally. This represents a 3.6% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Estonia's agriculture employment stood at 2.96% in 2025, a decline of +0.11% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 3.08% by 2026. Estonia ranked 40th globally.
Estonia’s share of the labour force employed in agriculture has collapsed from an all‑time peak of 20.08 % in 1991 to a trough of 2.59 % in 2023, before a modest rebound to 2.96 % in 2025, placing the country 40th globally. The 35‑year decline reflects structural transformation, urbanisation and the rapid mechanisation of farm work that accompanied the post‑Soviet market reforms. By 2025 Estonia’s agricultural employment rate is only slightly above Japan’s 2.81 % and below Jordan’s 3.12 %, signalling convergence with other highly industrialised economies. The modest uptick after 2023 may be linked to targeted rural development programmes and a modest rise in organic and niche farming, yet the sector remains a marginal employer within the national economy. Continued investment in agri‑technology, coupled with policies that enhance farm profitability, will be required to reverse the long‑term downward trajectory and sustain any future growth in agricultural employment.
Data & projection
| Year | Agriculture Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 3.29% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 3.19% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 3.08% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.96% | −0.11% | #40 |
| 2024 | 3.07% | +0.47% | #40 |
| 2023 | 2.59% | −0.01% | #34 |
| 2022 | 2.60% | −0.08% | #34 |
| 2021 | 2.68% | −0.40% | #34 |
| 2020 | 3.08% | −0.26% | #36 |
| 2019 | 3.34% | −0.09% | #37 |
| 2018 | 3.43% | −0.19% | #38 |
| 2017 | 3.63% | −0.27% | #40 |
| 2016 | 3.90% | −0.13% | #42 |
| 2015 | 4.03% | +0.17% | #42 |
| 2014 | 3.86% | −0.40% | #38 |
| 2013 | 4.26% | −0.23% | #41 |
| 2012 | 4.49% | +0.08% | #42 |
| 2011 | 4.41% | +0.20% | #42 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Estonia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2019. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw agriculture employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Estonia's agriculture employment was 2.96% in 2025. Ranked 40th globally. This represents a 3.6% decrease from the previous year.
Estonia's agriculture employment peaked at 20.08% in 1991.
The lowest agriculture employment in Estonia was 2.59% in 2023.
Estonia ranks 40th globally in agriculture employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Estonia's agriculture employment is projected to reach 3.08% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The agriculture employment of Estonia in 2025 was 2.96%. This ranks 40th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_estonia_agriculture-employment,
title = {Estonia Agriculture Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/estonia/agriculture-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}