We know Estonia
19.11.2021 | Estonia

Estonian IT Sector Requires 7000 Workers from Abroad in the Coming Years

Text Mark Taylor
Photo Fatos Bytyqi / Unsplash

Estonian IT Sector Requires 7000 Workers from Abroad in the Coming Years

 

In the coming years, there will be a shortage of approximately 7000 workers in the Estonian IT sector that neither the education system nor business training will be able to resolve. 

The issue is already visible in the sector, with IT companies trying to lure potential employees from other Estonian companies in order to fill vacancies. A tactic that is not sustainable, and why workers from abroad will be needed to fill this gap.

Although startups in Estonia with 10 employees or less have an exemption on the amount of foreign workers they can employ, beyond this, restrictions apply. This makes it much harder for bigger startups like Pipedrive, Bolt and Transferwise to hire internationally, worsening the problem. 

According to Andres Sutt, Minister of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology, “The aim is to find solutions to the growth constraints of businesses, to make their lives easier, so that both our own people and those skilled workers who cannot be found here in sufficient numbers can see Estonia as a country with an attractive and high-quality living environment” 

He went on to state “It is wrong to think that there’s a queue at our door of people who want to work in Estonia. We are competing with our neighbours and other countries of the European Union, as well as with America and Asia”

Estonia’s aging population also means that in 5 years time, there will be 32,000 fewer working-age people, creating shortages in many other sectors in the coming years. 

Source: ERR 

 

To learn more about this and similar topics
Ageing Population Estonian IT Sector IT IT Jobs IT Jobs Estonia Jobs for Foreigners in Estonia jobs in Estonia Labour Shortage

5.4.2026 | Estonia

In Stella’s Pawprints—A Perfect Weekend Getaway for Dog and Owner

In Stella’s Pawprints—A Perfect Weekend Getaway for Dog and Owner

My dog Stella is an experienced traveller. Despite her young age, she has travelled with me all over Finland, … Read more

3.4.2026 | Estonia

April Fool’s in Estonia

April Fool’s in Estonia

Lazy holidays, a dome beach, and dissolving plates: this is how April Fool’s Day was celebrated in Estonia. At … Read more

1.4.2026 | Estonia

New Environmental Standards Are Making Plates Dissolve—Literally

New Environmental Standards Are Making Plates Dissolve—Literally

Green Key is the world’s leading sustainability programme and certification for the tourism industry, established in 1994. To receive … Read more

1.4.2026 | Estonia

Massive Record Fair and Music Bazaar

Massive Record Fair and Music Bazaar

Tallinn Music Week is one of Europe’s premier music festivals, and has grown from a very humble start to … Read more

28.3.2026 | Estonia

April Fool’s Day Three Days Earlier This Year

April Fool’s Day Three Days Earlier This Year

Everyone’s favourite day has been rescheduled to take place three days earlier than planned due to the current geopolitical … Read more

27.3.2026 | Leisure

Cycling in Estonia With Guidance From Komoot and a TV Series

Cycling in Estonia With Guidance From Komoot and a TV Series

With its mostly flat terrain and short distances, Estonia is an excellent destination for cycling tourism. Many visitors arriving … Read more

17.3.2026 | Restaurants

Estonia Made an Impression at the Gastro Helsinki Fair

Estonia Made an Impression at the Gastro Helsinki Fair

Estonian food producers and companies from the food events sector made a strong showing last week in Helsinki, where … Read more

17.3.2026 | Estonia

Estonia to Test Air Raid Sirens Across Country

Estonia to Test Air Raid Sirens Across Country

Following Monday’s multiple test notifications to cell phones, Wednesday, 18 March will see a full-fledged and nationwide test of … Read more