Estonia's GDP per capita 14,218 euros in 2013; 42% higher in Harju County

2014-12-17
from wire reports, TALLINN

Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is in Harju County, where the GDP is 42% above the Estonian average [Photo: Creative Commons]

According to Statistics Estonia, Harju County accounted for 61.3% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of Estonia in 2013. Harju County, the most populous of Estonia's 15 counties, includes the capital Tallinn, as well as a few small towns including Maardu, Keila and Saue.

In 2013, the GDP of Estonia, when adjusted for current prices, was 18.7 billion euros, of which 11.5 billion euros was created in Harju County (9.3 billion euros of that figure being created in Tallinn). After Harju County, the next most prosperous regions were Tartu and Ida-Viru Counties, whose GDP shares were 10% and 7.6%, respectively.

Harju, Tartu and Ida-Viru counties gave a total of 84% of the value added in services and almost three-quarters of the value added in industry and construction.

The counties which contributed the least to the total GDP of Estonia were Hiiu, Lääne and Põlva. The total share of these counties in the GDP of Estonia accounted for 2.5%.

In 2013, 67% of the total value added of Estonia was created in services, 29% in industry and construction and 4% in agriculture, forestry and fishing.

The service sector was the biggest sector in all counties besides Ida-Viru county. The proportion employed in services was highest in Harju (75%) and Tartu (69%) Counties, mainly due to the high input of the cities of Tallinn and Tartu.

The share of agriculture, forestry and fishing was the biggest in Jõgeva County (22%). The share of industry and construction was the largest in Ida-Viru County (53%), reflecting the important role of mining and energy in this county.

In 2013, Estonia’s GDP per capita was 14,218 euros. Compared to 2012, this indicator has risen by 884 euros. In 2013, the GDP per capita was the highest in Harju county, exceeding the average for the country by 42%. Harju County was followed by Tartu and Laane-Viru Counties, where the GDP per capita was 86% and 73% of the Estonian average, respectively. The indicator was the lowest in Polva County, where the GDP per capita was less than half of the Estonian average.