No. 139, 26.11.2009
p 1/2
According to the regional development, Estonia can be divided into three
parts
According to Statistics Estonia, the general picture of the regional development of
Estonia does not significantly depend on the selected measurement method. In imaginary
terms, the territory of Estonia can be divided into three parts according to the level of
regional development.
The territorial development index of local government unit shows that the most problematic
regions of Estonia are the areas in the proximity of Lake Peipus and Southeastern Estonia. On
the map of Estonia, we can draw an imaginary axis that starts from Vaivara rural municipality
located in Ida-Viru county, runs along the coast of Lake Peipus and the border of Latvia, and
ends at Häädemeeste. Tallinn together with Harju county can clearly be distinguished from
among the most successful regions. For example, 18 rural municipalities and cities of Harju
county ranked among the first 25 local government units. Tartu city and Pärnu city together with
the rural municipalities surrounding these cities can also be regarded successful. The third area
that runs diagonally across Estonia from the Gulf of Narva to the Gulf of Riga is positioned in
between the problematic region and the successful one.
The indices published earlier have also provided a similar picture of the regional development of
Estonia. For example, Statistics Estonia’s viability index of local government units and the
capacity index of local government units compiled by Geomedia OÜ. Local government units
position differently in case of different indices, but the situation of the regional development of
Estonia remains relatively similar.
The territorial development index of local government unit consists of four components —
population change, dependency ratio, personal income tax per inhabitant and proportion of
registered unemployed persons.
Territorial development index of local government unit, 2008
N0. 139, 26.11.2009
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More detailed analysis has been presented today, on 26 November, in the publication “Linnad ja
vallad arvudes. 2009. Cities and Rural Municipalities in Figures“(http://www.stat.ee/31364).
For further information:
Kaja Sõstra
Head of Methodology Department
Statistics Estonia
Mob +372 5557 8766