According to the data of 2012, in Estonian emigration the movement takes place towards the countries offering bigger economic welfare. People emigrate from Estonia mainly to Finland and the United Kingdom and people immigrate to Estonia from Finland and Russia.
In 2012, emigration reduced the population number in Estonia by 6,629 people, 10,873 persons emigrated and 4,244 immigrated. Emigration is characterised by the trend that among persons leaving Estonia women predominate, but among persons coming to Estonia the majority are men, which is the reason why the number of women decreases more due to emigration. By age, the most active participants in emigration are persons aged 20–44.