Estonia Dependency Ratio
Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) SP.POP.DPND
Estonia's dependency ratio was 58.79 in 2025, ranked 81st globally. This represents a 0.4% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Estonia's dependency ratio stood at 58.79 in 2025, a rise of +0.22 from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 58.79 by 2025. Estonia ranked 81st globally.
Estonia’s total dependency ratio, which measures the proportion of non‑working‑age persons to those of working age, stood at 58.79 in 2025, placing the country 81st globally. This figure equals the all‑time peak, matching the level first reached in the same year after a gradual rise from a low of 46.91 in 2005. Over the 66‑year series beginning in 1960, the ratio climbed steadily from 51.16, reflecting demographic ageing driven by low fertility and increasing life expectancy. Estonia’s ratio is closely aligned with peers such as Algeria (58.87) and Slovenia (58.33), yet remains higher than Egypt (58.38), underscoring a more pronounced ageing pressure than in many middle‑income economies. The upward trajectory suggests that, without policy measures to boost labor‑force participation or immigration, the dependency burden will likely continue to increase, potentially straining public finances and social services in the coming decades.
Data & projection
| Year | Dependency Ratio | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 59.12 | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 58.96 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 58.79 | - | - |
| 2025 | 58.79 | +0.22 | #81 |
| 2024 | 58.57 | +0.13 | #135 |
| 2023 | 58.43 | +0.05 | #137 |
| 2022 | 58.39 | +0.12 | #138 |
| 2021 | 58.27 | +0.44 | #136 |
| 2020 | 57.82 | +0.76 | #134 |
| 2019 | 57.06 | +0.72 | #128 |
| 2018 | 56.35 | +0.72 | #129 |
| 2017 | 55.62 | +0.98 | #127 |
| 2016 | 54.65 | +1.03 | #119 |
| 2015 | 53.62 | +1.07 | #114 |
| 2014 | 52.55 | +1.18 | #107 |
| 2013 | 51.37 | +1.10 | #99 |
| 2012 | 50.27 | +1.01 | #93 |
| 2011 | 49.26 | +0.73 | #86 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Estonia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2019. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw dependency ratio improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Estonia's dependency ratio was 58.79 in 2025. Ranked 81st globally. This represents a 0.4% increase from the previous year.
Estonia's dependency ratio peaked at 58.79 in 2025.
The lowest dependency ratio in Estonia was 46.91 in 2005.
Estonia ranks 81st globally in dependency ratio as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.POP.DPND. Data sourced from World Bank.
Estonia's dependency ratio is projected to reach 58.79 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The dependency ratio of Estonia in 2025 was 58.79. This ranks 81st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_estonia_dependency-ratio,
title = {Estonia Dependency Ratio},
url = {https://historysaid.com/estonia/dependency-ratio/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}