Updated
Overview
Russia has 105 times the population of Estonia: 143.51 million people against 1.37 million (2025).
Russia's economy is 54 times the size of Estonia's, at $2.56T versus $47.03B.
Per person, Estonia is the wealthier of the two: $34,418 against $17,547 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Russia | Estonia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.56T | $47.03B | 2025 | $2.17T / $42.77B |
| GDP per capita | $17,547 | Higher: $34,418 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.0% | 0.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.7% | Lower: 4.8% | 2025 | 6.7% / 3.5% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.1% | 8.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 66 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $777 | Higher: $3,218 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $208 | Higher: $1,001 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $1.74 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 143.51 million | 1.37 million | 2025 | 140.13 million / 1.34 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | -0.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 42.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.37 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 yrs | Higher: 79.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 75% | 71% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 94% | 92% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 17,098,242 km² | 45,227 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8.4/km² | 30.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1,781 Mt | Lower: 8.31 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 12.3 t | Lower: 6.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $148.97B | $1.44B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.1% | 3.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.5 million | 7,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (1.0% for Russia, 0.6% for Estonia).
Russia runs the hotter price environment: 8.7% inflation versus 4.8%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Russia: a price level of 32 versus 66 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Estonia: $3,218 against $777 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Russia is the younger society: median age 40.3 versus 42.8 years.
Life expectancy is 5.9 years longer in Estonia (79.3 vs 73.4).
Geography
By land area, Russia is 378 times the size of Estonia: 17,098,242 km² versus 45,227 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Estonia is far more densely settled: 30 people per km² against 8.
Military
Russia spends 103 times as much on defence as Estonia: $148.97B versus $1.44B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Russia carries the heavier military burden: 7.1% of GDP versus 3.4%.
Russia fields the larger armed forces: 1.5 million personnel against 7,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Russia bigger than Estonia?
- Russia is larger by land area. Russia covers 17,098,242 km² while Estonia covers 45,227 km², so Russia is 378 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Russia or Estonia?
- Russia has the larger population: 143.51 million versus 1.37 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Russia richer than Estonia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Estonia is richer: $34,418 against $17,547. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.56T for Russia versus $47.03B for Estonia.
- Who spends more on their military, Russia or Estonia?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $1.44B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).