Contemporary Migration Processes in Estonia

1. Contemporary Migration Processes in Estonia Mihkel Keldoja Triin Kesküla Kärt Anton Karl Kevin Klais Paris, 27 November 2013

2. Table of contents • Emigration from Estonia • 1991-2003 (since restoration of independence) • 2004-2013 (since joining EU) • Estonians in Finland • Estonians in Australia • Jaan Poska Gymnasium students about migration • 2 interviews with Estonians living abroad

3. Emigration from Estoniain 1990s • Estonia regained its independence in 1991 • It was possible after 50 years of Soviet power to travel to the Western European countries as a tourist. • When the borders opened more, part of Estonians managed to emigrate from Estonia.

4. Migration net rate before and after 1991 Population of Estoniawas 1.56 million in 1991 Positive migration net rate till 1991 due to Russian employees & military moving to Estonia Negative migration net rate since 1991 due to the Russian employees & military leaving Estonia

5. Population changes 1990–2010

6. Changes in national composition

7. Emigration from Estonia in 1990s • In 1990s emigration exceeded immigration • Who left Estonia? • Russians moved mainly to Russia: Soviet Army was brought out and state border and visa regime was established between Estonia and Russia • Karelian Finns were invited to move to Finland • Estonians started to emigrate to Western countries • In 10 years the population decreased by 200 000 people

8. Border between Estonia and Russia

9. Paldiski: a town deserted by Soviet military forces Paldiski used to be the Naval base of Soviet Army. There were about 30 military objects.

10. Why Estonians left Estonia in 1990s? • It became easier to apply for foreignvisas • Main destinations were Finland, Sweden, Germany, Ireland. • It was possible to use better transportation: ferry boats to Helsinki and Stockholm, international flights all over Europe. • The standard of livingin the West was much higher. • There was very difficult period in Estonia: unemployment, lack of stability, inflation • Employment agencies & organisationshelped to find a job abroad

11. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Mml0A7zU68/UinZgy8gwHI/AAAAAAAAAA8/nf8CcDZFcCk/s760/Estonia_ferry.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Mml0A7zU68/UinZgy8gwHI/AAAAAAAAAA8/nf8CcDZFcCk/s760/Estonia_ferry.jpg

12. Estonians picking turkeys in Ireland www.delfi.ee on 29 Nov 2003: 700 people from Estonia, including some university graduates -- that is more than 4 applicants per vacancy -- applied for the temporary positions to work at Killead and Monoghan chicken and turkey farms in Ireland.

13. Working abroad in early 1990s • first jobs: • temporary jobs in the farms and construction sites • seasonal jobs (picking strawberries) • Au pairs • People got experience & information about life and labour market in other countries

14. What changed after Estonia joined EU in 2004? • visa-free travelwith EU countries • access to the labour marketin EU • It increased emigration of Estonians to Europe and elsewhere

15. Emigration from Estonia in 2004-2012

16. Migration net rate in 2004–2012

17. Who are leaving? • People under 30. This is the age group of highest mobility. • Mostly Estonians. Emigration is less popular in other national groups. • Mostly (skilled) workers: about 50% of leavers have secondary education • People with university degree: there are more women than men( the proportsion of women exceeds men by 15%)

18. Changes in population 1990-2013

19. Reasons for leaving • Younger people are going - to study at European and US universities - to take part in volunteer programs abroad - to work abroad • Older age groups: to work • Males go primarily to work • Females leave for personal reasons rather than work • Children are moving along with their families

20. What makes it attractive to work abroad? • job: a better job with a higher salary • family: a family member is already abroad • challenge: looking for new challenges • climate: finding a warmer place to live • sociability: people are more open-minded, friendy and helpful

21. Destinations • Finland: overwhelmingly most popular • the UK, Russia, Sweden, Norway, but by far less popular than Finland • Australia, the US: especially popular with the youth looking for challenges

22. Destinations • Austria, Germany and Switzerlandopened their labor markets officially to workers from Eastern European countries in 2011. • They expect medical specialists, seasonal workers in hotels and the catering field. http://www.ohtuleht.ee/549373

24. Emigration and immigration in Estonia http://f6.pmo.ee/f/2013/05/22/1776396t101h5774.jpg

25. Immigration into Estonia by countries Estonians returning to Estonia: the highest share among the immigrants

26. Emigration negative impacts on Estonia • lack of skilled labour • less money for pensioners: tax-payers are leaving • population decreases • “brain drain”: highly educated people leave for richer countries • “brain in vain”: highly qualified specialists accept a non-specialist job abroad due to differences in wages

27. Emigration positive impact on Estonia • Emigrants receive new work experience • People improve foreign language skills • New prospects for cooperationdue to personal contacts • Migrants share their experience when back in Estonia • Emigrants support financiallythe family in Estonia • Higher tolerance towards migrantsdue to personal migration experience

28. Famous Estonians abroad Thomas Edur and Age Oks in London Supermodel Carmen Kass http://www.whatafashion.ee/carmen-kass/ http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000_dQCK_97BVI/s/750/PB-090129-0102.jpg

29. Toomas Hendrik Ilves • was born in Stockholm, Sweden • his parents were Estonian refugees. • He grew up in the United States. • In addition to his native Estonian, he is fluent in English, German, Spanish and Latin. • 1988–1993 the Director of Estonian editorial board Radio Free Europe • 1993–1996 the Ambassador of Estonian Republic in USA, Canada, Mexico • 1996–1998 and 1999–2002 The Foreign minister of Estonian Republic • 2004–2006 Member of European Parliament • Since 2006 President of Estonian Republic http://et.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilt:Thilves.JPG

30. Emigration to Finland

31. Highest emigration rate to Finland (1): why? • Finland is geographically close enough to commute between Finland & Estonia • Finnish language is close to Estonian:similar grammar and some common vocabulary • Finn’s character and nature are rather close to Estonian’s

32. Highest emigration rate to Finland (2): why? • Wage levelishigher in Finland, for example in health care, construction, service sector etc • unemployment in Estonia

33. http://www.nordiclabourjournal.org/i-fokus/social-dumping/article.2013-04-09.5960274302/image/image_view_fullscreenhttp://www.nordiclabourjournal.org/i-fokus/social-dumping/article.2013-04-09.5960274302/image/image_view_fullscreen

34. Unemployment rates in Estonia 1993–2011 (%)

35. Estonians leaving for Finland: 2 major waves • First wave in late 1980s and early 1990s: peak in 1993 • mostly Karelian Finns: invited to “return” to Finland • mostly leaving with whole families • Second wave since 2004: peak in 2005 • economic depression in Estonia • no need for visas: easy to leave • At the beginning one family member leaves alone, the family would follow later

36. Estonian population in Finland • before 1991: about 1000 Estonians • 2009: about 22 000 permanent Estonian residents • 2013: about 35 000 Estonians • 46% of Estonian immigrants in Finland are skilled workers. http://www.heta-ecvet.fi/images/residents.jpg

37. Peoplepositionin Estonia and Finland

38. Tarja Halonen:I hope that Estonians like living in Finland. Eesti Päevaleht, 23.11.2013 Estonians who moved from Estonia over Gulf of Finland are not emigrants or immigrants. Estonia and Finland have never been in a state of war, and the border between Estonia and Finland should not be as distinct as with the other countries. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tarja_Halonen_1c389_8827-2.jpg

39. Young Estonians in Australia Reasons for leaving • To make eazy money in farms, mines, cafes, restaurants, wine plantations • To acquire education in rated universities • To discover the world • To learn English • To escape from the cold climate in Estonia under the hot sun in Australia

40. Young Estonians in Australia • Most Estonians live in major cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. • Young people use Working Holiday Visa which allows to work officially in Australia for 1 year. • In 2009–2010 about 1400 young Estonians moved to Australia with WH visa.

41. His name is Martin and he is 23 years old • He has had four different jobs in 1,5 year.

42. His minimum wage has been 14 euros in hour • Cost of living is about 140 eurs per week, plus additional costs (parties, clothing)

43. He said that Australian employers like Estonians because they do work more faster and neater than the locals.

44. Estonian communities in Australia keep together and communicate with each other

45. They take trips and celebrate together Estonian holidays

46. The ones who share the apartment have dinners, where they eat Estonian food - Martin said that food and family are the things he misses most.

47. He is planning to come back after for 2 years in Australia.

50. How do JPG students feel about migration? • The survey took place in the 10th grade. • 64 students answered the questionnaire • We asked them 15 questions about migration.