Germany vs Estonia development indicators, 2024

Indicator	Germany, Value	Estonia, Value	Germany, Rank	Estonia, Rank	Germany as % of Estonia
Current account balance (% of GDP)	5.73	-1.15	18	64
Exports of goods and services (% of GDP)	42.1	76.3	53	15	55.2 %
Foreign direct investment, net inflows (% of GDP)	1.02	-8.18	73	105
GDP per capita (current US$)	55,800	31,170	17	41	179 %
GDP per capita, PPP (current international US$)	72,300	49,334	18	44	147 %
Imports of goods and services (% of GDP)	38.2	75.7	75	15	50.5 %
Inflation, consumer prices (annual %)	2.26	3.52	103	62	64.1 %
Net migration	36,954	-7,742	29	147
Population, total	83,510,950	1,371,986	19	155	6,087 %

Demography and Health

Germany and Estonia exhibit a noteworthy contrast in demographic and health indicators. Germany has a birth rate of 8.3 per 1,000 people, slightly higher than Estonia’s rate of 8. In terms of death rates, Germany stands at 12.3 while Estonia has a lower rate of 11.7. Life expectancy in Germany is 80.5 years, compared to Estonia's 78.5 years, reflecting differences in healthcare outcomes. Notably, Germany has a higher under-5 mortality rate at 3.7 per 1,000 live births, while Estonia performs better at 2.1, showcasing a stronger health system for children. Moreover, the prevalence of undernourishment is identical in both countries at 2.5%. In terms of healthcare resources, Germany boasts 4.5 physicians per 1,000 people, exceeding Estonia’s count of 3.4. Overall, while both countries face demographic challenges, Germany’s figures suggest a more mature healthcare system, whereas Estonia reflects commendable outcomes given its smaller population size.

Economy

Germany’s economy is significantly larger and more developed compared to that of Estonia. With a GDP per capita of $55,800, Germany ranks 22nd globally, contrasting sharply with Estonia's GDP per capita of $31,170, which places it at 59th. When looking at GDP per capita in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP), Germany again leads with $72,300 against Estonia's $49,334. However, Estonia has a higher overall exports of goods and services as a percentage of GDP at 76.3%, compared to Germany’s 42.1%, indicating a more export-oriented economy. Conversely, Germany enjoys a net positive foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow of 1% of GDP, while Estonia faces negative FDI at -8.2%, reflecting challenges in attracting foreign capital.

Trade and Investment

In terms of trade, Germany's vast economy results in substantial high-technology exports, totaling $255.7 billion, a striking difference from Estonia’s mere $2.1 billion. Germany ranks first globally for patent applications by residents, underscoring its innovation capabilities. On the other hand, Estonia has a significant trade dependency, evident from its imports of goods and services comprising 75.7% of GDP, compared to Germany’s 38.2%. The current account balance further illustrates Germany's strength in trade with a surplus of 5.7% compared to Estonia’s deficit of -1.1%. These figures suggest a well-balanced and robust trade network for Germany, while Estonia, although successful in exports, may face vulnerabilities in managing imports effectively.

Governance and Institutions

Germany and Estonia both exhibit strong governance indicators, though with slight variations. Germany ranks higher in the logistics performance index, scoring 4.3 against Estonia's 3.5, demonstrating superior quality in transport-related infrastructure. Both countries rank similarly on measures of corruption control, with Germany scoring 1.7 and Estonia 1.5. In terms of government effectiveness, Germany scores 1.2 while Estonia marginally outperforms at 1.3. The legal and regulatory frameworks are also fairly comparable, with Germany’s rule of law at 1.6 and Estonia’s at 1.4. Political stability is relatively good in both countries, with Germany scoring 0.6 and Estonia slightly better at 0.7, indicating robust governance systems in both entities.

Infrastructure and Technology

Germany excels considerably in infrastructure and technology. It is a leader in high-technology exports and ranks first in international patent applications, highlighting a strong emphasis on innovation and research. Conversely, Estonia's technological landscape appears less developed, as indicated by its minimal high-technology exports. Moreover, Estonia suffers from lower logistics performance (3.5) compared to Germany’s high score (4.3), suggesting inefficiencies in transportation and trade logistics. While Germany has a more extensive infrastructure network capable of supporting its larger economy, Estonia, despite its strengths in some tech areas, still has significant room for growth in infrastructure quality and capacity.

Environment and Sustainability

Germany and Estonia demonstrate differing approaches to sustainability and environmental challenges. Estonia significantly outnumbers Germany in renewable energy consumption, with 38% of its total final energy coming from renewable sources compared to Germany's 17.6%. However, Germany has lower greenhouse gas emissions per capita at 8.1 t CO2e/capita compared to Estonia’s 10.5 t CO2e/capita. On water resources, Germany faces higher water stress, using 35.4% of available resources compared to Estonia's 10.8%. These factors indicate Estonia’s commitment to renewable energy; however, both countries must continue to balance growth while addressing environmental sustainability to meet global standards.