Estonia Services Employment
Employment in services SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS
Estonia's services employment was 71.05% in 2025, ranked 125th globally. This represents a 0.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Estonia's services employment stood at 71.05% in 2025, a rise of +0.57% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 71.89% by 2026. Estonia ranked 125th globally.
Estonia’s share of employment in services rose from 43.67 percent in 1991 to a record 71.05 percent in 2025, placing it at 125th in the World Bank ranking of 2025 and marking the highest level observed over the 35‑year series. The steep climb mirrors the post‑Soviet structural shift toward a knowledge‑intensive economy, with the services sector absorbing a growing proportion of the labour force as manufacturing and agriculture contracted. By 2025 Estonia’s services employment rate is comparable to that of Trinidad and Tobago (71.32 percent) and only slightly below Libya (71.38 percent), indicating convergence with small, open economies that have leveraged tourism, finance and digital services. The upward trajectory has been reinforced by Estonia’s e‑government initiatives and a vibrant startup ecosystem, which have expanded demand for professional, information‑technology and business‑support occupations. Continued investment in digital infrastructure and upskilling programmes is likely to sustain the rise in services‑based jobs, although a slowdown in global demand for ICT services could temper future growth.
Data & projection
| Year | Services Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 73.33% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 72.61% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 71.89% | - | - |
| 2025 | 71.05% | +0.57% | #125 |
| 2024 | 70.48% | +0.45% | #125 |
| 2023 | 70.03% | +1.25% | #126 |
| 2022 | 68.79% | +0.49% | #125 |
| 2021 | 68.30% | +1.09% | #125 |
| 2020 | 67.20% | −0.08% | #121 |
| 2019 | 67.28% | +0.87% | #120 |
| 2018 | 66.41% | +0.21% | #119 |
| 2017 | 66.20% | +0.32% | #117 |
| 2016 | 65.88% | +1.18% | #120 |
| 2015 | 64.70% | −1.29% | #114 |
| 2014 | 65.99% | +0.53% | #121 |
| 2013 | 65.46% | +1.06% | #121 |
| 2012 | 64.40% | +1.25% | #117 |
| 2011 | 63.15% | −2.31% | #110 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Estonia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2019. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw services employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Estonia's services employment was 71.05% in 2025. Ranked 125th globally. This represents a 0.8% increase from the previous year.
Estonia's services employment peaked at 71.05% in 2025.
The lowest services employment in Estonia was 43.67% in 1991.
Estonia ranks 125th globally in services employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Estonia's services employment is projected to reach 71.89% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The services employment of Estonia in 2025 was 71.05%. This ranks 125th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_estonia_services-employment,
title = {Estonia Services Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/estonia/services-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}