Formal Borrowing Statistics in Estonia (2026)
As of the 2021 data, 33.6% of adults in Estonia borrowed from a formal financial institution, per World Bank Global Findex. Up from 31.8% in 2017 to 33.6% in 2021 (+1.8 percentage points). Estonia ranks #20 of 46 economies in Europe & Central Asia on this measure, and #34 of 142 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2021)
- 33.6% (2021)
- Formal Borrowing in Estonia as of 2021, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
- Change since 2017
- +1.8 pp (2021)
- Up from 31.8% in 2017 to 33.6% in 2021 (+1.8 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (2014)
- 32.4% (2014)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 32.4% in 2014 to 33.6% in 2021.
- Record high (2021)
- 33.6% (2021)
- The 2021 value is the highest in the available World Bank Global Findex series for Estonia.
- Rank in Europe & Central Asia
- #20 of 46 (2021)
- Estonia ranks 20 of 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #34 of 142 (2021)
- Estonia ranks 34 of 142 countries with data globally.
- Europe & Central Asia average
- 33.3% (2021)
- Estonia (33.6%) is above the average of 33.3% across the 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data.
- Among women (2021)
- 32.9% (2021)
- Value for women in Estonia, same 2021 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Among men (2021)
- 34.4% (2021)
- Value for men in Estonia, same 2021 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Gender gap (women minus men)
- −1.5 pp (2021)
- In 2021, the figure was 32.9% for women and 34.4% for men — 1.5 percentage points lower among women.
- Among the poorest 40% (2021)
- 23.6% (2021)
- Value for adults in the poorest 40% of households in Estonia in 2021.
- Poorest-40% gap vs national
- −10.1 pp (2021)
- The poorest 40% (23.6%) are 10.1 percentage points below the national figure (33.6%).
- Internet use in Estonia (2024)
- 92.2% (2024)
- 92.2% of the population in Estonia used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 1.4 million (2024)
- Estonia had a population of 1.4 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 2014–2021
| Year | % of adults (age 15+) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 33.6% | +1.8 pp |
| 2017 | 31.8% | −0.6 pp |
| 2014 | 32.4% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of adults in Estonia borrowed from a formal financial institution?
33.6% of adults in Estonia borrowed from a formal financial institution in 2021, according to World Bank Global Findex data.
How has formal borrowing in Estonia changed over time?
World Bank Global Findex data show a rise from 32.4% in 2014 to 33.6% in 2021.
How does Estonia compare with other countries in Europe & Central Asia?
Estonia ranks 20 of 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data, with 33.6% versus a regional average of 33.3% (latest values per country).
Where does Estonia rank globally on formal borrowing?
Estonia ranks 34 of 142 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank Global Findex value for each country.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank Global Findex, indicator
fin22a, retrieved .
Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.
Last updated .