On the whole, people’s sense of security has not changed: a total of 70% of residents of the country (Estonians and people of other nationalities alike) feel safe living in Estonia, compared to 72% in September. People of other nationalities are more likely than Estonians themselves to think that Estonia as a state can feel safe (60% compared to 50%).
Membership of NATO is supported by 77% of the population, compared to 79% in September. Among Estonians, backing for the country’s membership of the alliance remains stable: the 92% who showed their support for this in December is within the range of 91-94% that has been recorded over the last few years. Support for NATO membership grew among people of other nationalities upon the outbreak of war in Ukraine, peaking at 53% in September 2023. This figure fell slightly in December, to 48%.
The rate of overall satisfaction with life fell from 71% in September to 65% in December. People’s sense of financial security also decreased: among Estonians, 54% of respondents felt financially insecure (compared to 42% in September), while insecurity among people of other nationalities rose from 55% to 67% between the two surveys.
Trust in the government, parliament and president remained at more or less the same level in December as that recorded in September: respectively, 37% (down from 39%), 35% (up from 32%) and 72% (up from 69%). Trust in local government has somewhat declined: in May, when this indicator was last measured, 72% of respondents said they trusted their local government, but this figure fell to 65% in December.
Whereas 50% of the population felt in May that changes to taxation were needed, only 43% of respondents felt the same way in September and 39% in December. People of other nationalities are much more negatively minded than Estonians when it comes to tax changes: 74% consider the changes unnecessary, compared to 49% of Estonians. More negatively minded than average in this regard are people aged 35-49, those who live in north-eastern Estonia and those who are facing financial difficulties.
Attitudes to the transition to Estonian-language studies remain positive: in total, 74% of all respondents in September and 75% in December felt that the transition would offer all children in Estonia regardless of their mother tongue equal opportunities to gain a high-quality education in Estonian. However, there are marked differences between nationalities in this regard: 91% of Estonians agreed with the statement, whereas just 44% of other nationalities agreed with it and 52% disagreed with it.
Support for Ukrainian refugees remains as high as ever
The level of support among the population for taking in Ukrainian refugees remains more or less the same: 60% of all respondents were in favour of it in September and 63% in December. Support rose slightly among Estonians between September and December (from 66% to 72%), but remained more or less the same among other nationalities (46% in the last survey compared to 45% in the most recent survey).
A total of 61% of respondents are in favour of military assistance for Ukraine, 74% back humanitarian aid and 60% support Estonia contributing to the rebuilding of the nation once the war ends.
Russian hostilities in Ukraine are condemned by 84% of the population, while 4% back them and 12% hold no clear position (no change compared to September). Here again there are differences along national lines: 96% of Estonians condemn Russia’s hostilities compared to 60% of people of other nationalities, among whom 11% support the military action and 29% hold no clear position.
The final monitoring survey of public opinion for 2023 was conducted by Turu-uuringute AS from 6-12 December. A total of 1252 Estonian residents of at least 15 years of age were surveyed either online or over the phone.
The latest survey and previous editions can be found on the website of the Government Office at www.riigikantselei.ee/uuringud.
