Ten-Year Population Drop in NE Especially Severe Compared to Register Data
Among the trends seen from the latest census figures is the sizable discrepancy with Population Register data, which was especially evident in cities in the northeast.
Ida-Viru County in the northeast was one of several counties that lost one-sixth of its population in the last 10 years, according to the full census results released this week (Valga County was another). The census showed a 5.5 percent national decline.
The census showed Narva's population had dropped under 60,000. Moreover, that was 5,000 less than the number of officially registered people living there.
City secretary Ants Liimets said he was surprised by the discrepancy but did not question the census results.
"Population register data are sweeter for all local governments, the census data are harsher," he said.
Kohtla-Järve and Narva, the two largest cities in Ida-Viru-County, lost 10,000 people each.
A researcher with the census said that the government could do more at the national level to keep the population from draining away.
"Of course it's clear that there are demographic problems in Ida-Viru County," Ene-Margit Tiit said.
"Almost certainly one reason is that there aren't enough jobs. Second, people don't only live to work but need cultural pastimes. It's clear that state policy can help here with tax incentives, infrastructure and everything else."
Besides the numbers of inhabitants, the average age in Ida-Viru County is the highest in Estonia, and elderly make up close to 20 percent of the population.