Eesti in brief

Statistics Estonia data show that 41.2 percent of children born last year in Estonia were born to married parents, reports Postimees Online. Over the past three previous years this percentage has remained stable: in 2012 it was 41.6 percent; in 2011, 40.3 and in 2010, 40.4 percent. The age of an average Estonian woman at the birth of her first child has remained stable in recent years. Last year, the average age was 26.4 years. A year earlier the figure was 26.5. The average age of the mother giving birth to their first child was under 26 years in 2008 latest. The total fertility rate was 1.52 last year. This refers to the average number of live births per woman in her lifetime if she were to experience the exact current age-specific fertility rates through her lifetime. In order for the reproduction of the population, the total fertility rate must be at least 2.1.

Taavi Roivas, Estonia’s prime minister for nearly two months, has earned the support of more than 40 percent of the people, says Postimees citing a fresh poll. In April, when Roivas just started, Turu-uuringute AS interviewers asked 1,003 people how they view the Reform Party’s decision to propose Roivas for prime minister and how competent they think he would be. Forty-three percent of respondents said Roivas was very much the right, or rather the right, choice, and four percent estimated that he was competent. Among Estonian-speaking respondents, the support to the fresh prime minister was 55 percent, while just 19 percent of representatives of other nationalities supported him. Sociologist Juhan Kivirahk, commenting on the survey results, said the Reform Party made the right decision, and the people accepted it rather well. “As a whole, I assess the Reform Party step as very skilful. They have guaranteed themselves the highest rating again and the starting point of the prime minister is relatively favorable for going ahead,” said Kivirahk.

Estonian Justice Ministry statistics record that 12,857 crimes were registered in the country in the first four months of the year, which was by three percent more than at the same time last year, reports Postimees Online. The number of theft cases grew by four percent compared to the first four months of last year. The number is eight percent smaller than in 2012, and 29 percent smaller than in 2010. Eight percent more fraud cases were registered. The number of crimes against people fell by three percent. The number of bodily abuse cases was unchanged. Thirteen cases of serious crimes against people - murder and manslaughter – were registered, eight less than in 2013. Out of the 13, four were murder and nine manslaughter. The number of robberies fell by 18 percent. The number of traffic crimes fell by two percent, mainly due to fewer drunk drivers.