Estonia - 93.95
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An excellent recovery from a dark time
Estonia is the highest scoring former-Soviet or former-Eastern bloc country. Estonia outscored second-place Germany by almost six points, even though Germany had the benefit of half the country never being communist. Estonia has a near perfectly-managed free market and well-balanced budget, managed by a government with very low corruption. Estonia’s rapid development and consistent commitment to freedom set it apart from other former-Eastern bloc countries and most countries in the world as a whole.
Human Rights - 92
Estonia has fully abolished the death penalty. Parliament amended the Citizenship Act in January of 2020, making it easier for children of stateless persons to obtain citizenship. Trans Estonians cannot serve openly. Estonia recognizes a same-sex “Cohabitation Agreement” but does not perform gay marriages. Estonia has stepchild adoption but no joint same-sex adoption.
Democracy - 98
The largely ceremonial president is appointed by parliament and the prime minister is formally appointed by the president and approved by parliament. Parliament is directly elected. Elections are free and fair with a strong multi-party system.
Freedom - 100
Estonia is one of two EU countries without hate speech laws. Possession of small amounts of drugs is not a criminal offense, and possession of larger amounts is punishable by a fine not exceeding 1200 Euros. Distribution, manufacture, and trafficking of drugs are all punishable by jail time. Estonia shall issue gun ownership permits for semi-automatic rifles and handguns. Members of authorized militias can purchase fully-automatic weapons.
Economy - 89
Health - 96
Estonia has a life expectancy of 79 years and an infant mortality rate of 0.19%. 21.2% of Estonians are obese and 0.03% are malnourished. Estonia’s universal healthcare system is one of the country’s few indicators that it was recently communist, as hospitals are understaffed and doctors are underpaid, but the quality of coverage is generally high regardless. 97% of Estonians have access to clean, running water. Tobacco consumption is high in Estonia, as ~30% of adult Estonians smoke regularly and a further 10% regularly consume e-cigarettes.
Corruption - 86
Public services are occasionally slow to act without bribes, and 40% of companies surveyed by GAN Integrity reported paying a bribe to public services administration on at least one occasion. Some favoritism is shown in awarding government contracts.
Competency - 98
Estonia sees minor competency failings in the healthcare sector.
Future - 95
Estonia’s economy has been growing quickly, with both a shrinking poverty rate and lessening economic disparity. Estonia’s healthcare system has not made significant improvements in several years, and remains one of the weakest in the EU.
Actions Abroad - 90
Estonia is a full member of the EU and NATO. Estonia has been a public critic of China’s policies in the UN, including the Hong Kong Security Law, the Social Credit System, and the country’s treatment of Uyghurs. Estonia maintains very close relations with France, stemming from France’s refusal to recognize Soviet occupation of Estonia. Estonia does not maintain any diplomatic relations with North Korea.
No Estonians live under the international poverty line, and 2.3% live under the national poverty line which has remained largely unchanged since the Soviet era. 20.7% of the population is at risk of becoming impoverished. 6.46% of Estonians are unemployed. Estonia has a very low economic disparity. The minimum wage in Estonia is $677 per month, but the minimum wage is regularly reviewed and rises every few months. Estonia’s universal healthcare system is weak by EU standards but still provides good coverage. The healthcare system is indicative of an ex-Eastern bloc country, as most hospitals are understaffed by 10-15% and doctors are underpaid. Estonia’s GDP shrunk 2.9% in 2020 and grew 5% in 2019.