Contemporary migration in estonia

Contemporary Migration Processes in Estonia Authors: Mihkel Keldoja Triin Kesk체la K채rt Anton Karl Kevin Klais Tutors: Vaike Rootsmaa Reet Kandimaa JPG students presentation at Comenius meeting in Paris November 27th 2013

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

Emigration from Estonia in 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.

Migration net rate before and after 1991 • Population of Estonia was 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

Population changes 1990–2010 nationality

1989

2000

2010

total Estonians

1.56 million 61%

1.37 million 68%

1.34 million 69%

Russians

30%

26%

25%

Ukrainians

3%

2%

2%

Changes in national composition 100% 90%

6% 3%

80%

4% 2%

4% 2%

26%

25%

68%

69%

2000

2010

30% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30%

61%

20%

10% 0% 1989

Estonians

Russians

Ukrainians

Other nations

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

Border between Estonia and Russia

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

Why Estonians left Estonia in 1990s?

• It became easier to apply for foreign visas • 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 living in the West was much higher.

• There was very difficult period in Estonia: unemployment, lack of stability, inflation • Employment agencies & organisations helped to find a job abroad

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

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

Estonians picking turkeys in Ireland

What changed after Estonia joined EU in 2004?

• visa-free travel with EU countries • access to the labour market in EU • It increased emigration of Estonians to Europe and elsewhere

Emigration from Estonia in 2004-2012 12000

10000 8000 6000 4000

Number of people leaving Estonia

2000 0

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Migration net rate in 2004–2012 the number of people by which emigration exceeds immigration 0 -1000 -2000 -3000 -4000 -5000 -6000

-7000 -8000

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

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%)

Changes in population 1990-2013 Total of all age groups 1800000 1600000 1400000 1200000

1000000 800000 600000 400000 200000 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2012* 2013

0

Mehed ja naised

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

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 openminded, friendy and helpful

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

Destinations • Austria, Germany and Switzerland opened 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

Other European countries Other countries

Russia

Ukraine

UK

Finland

Germany

Sweden

Emigration and immigration in Estonia

Immigration Emigration

Emigration and immigration in Estonia

IMMIGRATION EMIGRATION

http://f6.pmo.ee/f/2013/05/22/1776396t101h5774.jpg

Immigration into Estonia by countries Number of immigrants 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Eesti*

Venemaa

Soome

Muu riik

*Estonians returning to Estonia: the highest share among the immigrants

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

Emigration positive impact on Estonia • Emigrants receive new work experience • People improve foreign language skills • New prospects for cooperation due to personal contacts • Migrants share their experience when back in Estonia • Emigrants support financially the family in Estonia • Higher tolerance towards migrants due to personal migration experience

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

Toomas Hendrik Ilves • He was born in Stockholm, Sweden. His parents were Estonian refugees.

• He grew up in the United States.

• 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

Emigration to Finland

Highest emigration rate to Finland: 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

Highest emigration rate to Finland: why? • Wage level is higher in Finland, for example in health care, construction, service sector etc • unemployment in Estonia

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

Unemployment rates in Estonia 1993–2011 (%)

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

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

People position in Estonia and Finland 40%

35% 30% 25% 20% 15%

10% 5% 0%

Among the people working in Estonia Among the people who have emigrated to Finland

Senior Technicians Officials and executives and customer Skilled labor and associate service professionals professionals

Unskilled labor

25%

13%

16%

36%

10%

22%

11%

23%

35%

9%

Tarja Halonen: I hope that Estonians like living in Finland.

Eesti P채evaleht, 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_Ha lonen_1c389_8827-2.jpg

Young Estonians in Australia Reasons for leaving To earn 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

• • • • •

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.

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

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

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

Estonian communities in Australia keep together and communicate with each other

They take trips and celebrate together Estonian holidays

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.

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.

JPG students' attitudes to migrants %

negative rather negative no opinion rather positive positive 0

5

10

15

20

25

The relationship of Estonian emigrees with family/friends in Estonia?

After leaving he/she Estonia hasn’t returned.

1%

Other.

10%

I do not know any emigrant.

22%

Meet rarely (once or twice a year) 20% Previously visited the home often, now fewer and fewer.

Goes home 7% frequently (every few weeks).

13%

We communicate constantly via PC or telephone.

27%

Are you planning to emigrate from Estonia?

Other I have no plan to leave Estonia I definitely leave Estonia after graduation and do not come back I would like to go abroad for a few years to work and then come back After graduation I want to work abroad I would like to study abroad and then come back

0%

5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

What do you think looking at this picture?

Illegal Pakistan immigrants captured http://tworque.blogspot.com/2009/07/emigration-to-save-life-or-country.html

Some answers • It’s sad that people must leave their own country in such a dangerous way.

• Illegal enter to another country is not safe, one should look for legal possibilities.

• The home country brings them back anyway regardless of the situation.

• This situation does’nt bother me.

Is emigration from Estonia somehow specific?

Some answers • Nowadays Estonians are leaving because of the lack of job. Previously they emigrated from the fear of foreign powers (Soviet Union).

• In the past it was perhaps necessary or forced.

Now it is voluntary.

• There is no difference, people move to another countries to seek better life and adventures.

• There is no difference, it is just much easier to emigrate from Estonia because the borders are open with many countries.

• The immigration into Estonia is not very high.

The differencies between Estonians and immigrants Some answers • The immigrants speak rather poor Estonian and part of them do not want to learn Estonian • Their cultural background is different • Immigrants are more open, tempered and friendly than Estonians • Many of them are wealthier than Estonians since they are interpreneurs

Estonian newspapers about immigrants in Estonia Tha Japans in Estonia: Estonians know how to enjoy life Eesti P채evaleht, 09.11.2013.

Two young men from Japan Masashi Tsuda (29) ja Daigo Takagi (32) opened a restaurant in Tallinn, they say that moved to Estonia partly because wished to escape strict rules and standards of their homeland. http://epl.delfi.ee

The man from Columbia about Estonians: you should be proud of yourself! Eesti P채evaleht, 23.11.2013.

Young man Carlos from Columbia married Estonian woman, moved to Estonia and works as a teacher. He says that he relishes the stillness of Estonian forests and taste of apple juice.

Their daughter Sofia grows up amid three languages: she speaks Estonian with mother Kersti, Spanish with father Carlos, the parents speak English with each other.

Estonian-French couple Taoubi from France : Eesti Päevaleht, 19.10.2013 Fashion shopkeeper Nadim ja President Ilves former French teacher Hanna-Leana Taoubi are doing business in Estonia. They have never thought to returt to France where they met each other in 2008.

French hairdresser brought froglegs to Estonia Eesti Päevaleht, 05.10.2013 Patrice Daniel keeps with his Estonian wife French gourmetshop in Tallinn.

One can find French wine, cheese, oyster, froglegs, fresh croissants and baguette’s, cakes and champagne in his shop. Each month there is something new to taste.

Interviews with Estonians living abroad Vambo – bus driver in Finland Kristi – married with Italian man, lives in France http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agwcTCScdZE

Used materials • http://valitsus.ee/UserFiles/valitsus/et/riigikantselei/strateegia/poliitik a-analuusid-ja-uuringud/tarkade-otsuste-fondi-noorteadlastealameetme/TOF_Projekti_uuringu_kokkuvote-Anniste.pdf • http://entsyklopeedia.ee/artikkel/rahvastiku_r%C3%A4nne_eestis • http://www.postimees.ee/1244736/2012-aasta-kusimus-miks-eestiinimesed-jarsku-lahkuma-hakkasid • http://www.slideshare.net/Statistikaamet/eesti-rahvastik-rel2011andmetel-enemargit-tiidu-ettekanne-vabariigi-presidendi-mttekojas • http://www.stat.ee/20391 • http://valitsus.ee/UserFiles/valitsus/et/riigikantselei/strateegia/poliitik a-analuusid-ja-uuringud/tarkade-otsuste-fondi-noorteadlastealameetme/TOF_Projekti_uuringu_kokkuvote-Anniste.pdf • http://entsyklopeedia.ee/artikkel/rahvuskoosseis_eestis • http://www.4rail.net/reference_estonia_main_x.php • http://tworque.blogspot.com/2009/07/emigration-to-save-life-orcountry.html

Thank you for attention!

http://www.presseurop.eu/files/images/article/estonia-talents_0.jpg?1303392051