008

telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101

FAX: [1] (202) 588-0108

consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Melissa WELLS

embassy: Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [372] 668-8100

FAX: [372] 668-8134

Flag description: pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May
1990 - three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white

Estonia Economy

Economy - overview: In 2000, Estonia rebounded from the Russian
financial crisis by scaling back its budget and reorienting trade
away from Russian markets into EU member states. After GDP shrank
1.1% in 1999, the economy made a strong recovery in 2000, with
growth estimated at 6.4% - the highest in Central and Eastern
Europe. Estonia joined the World Trade Organization in November 1999
- the second Baltic state to join - and continues its EU accession
talks. For 2001, Estonians predict GDP to grow around 6%, inflation
of between 4.2%-5.3%, and a balanced budget. Substantial gains were
made in completing privatization of Estonia's few remaining large,
state-owned companies in 2000, and this momentum is expected to
continue in 2001. Estonia hopes to join the EU during the next round
of enlargement tentatively set for 2004.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $14.7 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: 6.4% (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $10,000 (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.6%

industry: 30.7%

services: 65.7% (1999)

Population below poverty line: 8.9% (1995 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%:
3.2%

highest 10%: 28.5% (1996)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.1% (1999 est.)

Labor force: 785,500 (1999 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: industry 20%, agriculture 11%, services
69% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate: 11.7% (1999 est.)

Budget: revenues: $1.37 billion

expenditures: $1.37 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1997 est.)

Industries: oil shale, shipbuilding, phosphates, electric motors,
excavators, cement, furniture, clothing, textiles, paper, shoes,
apparel

Industrial production growth rate: 5% (2000 est.)

Electricity - production: 7.782 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.72%

hydro: 0.09%

nuclear: 0%

other: 0.19% (1999)

Electricity - consumpt