Estonia's population is shrinking, raising concerns about the country's long-term future. Official data reveals a nearly 5,000-person decrease in 2024, marking the first population drop since 2016. This decline is primarily attributed to a deepening natural decrease, with births plummeting to record lows and deaths remaining relatively stable. In 2024, only 9,690 births were recorded, a stark 11.5% drop from the previous year and a historic low since record-keeping began in 1919. This decline is coupled with an aging population; the average age of first-time mothers is now 28.9 years, significantly higher than a decade ago. While net migration showed a positive balance, with more people immigrating than emigrating (18,634 arrivals vs 17,260 departures), this positive migration was insufficient to offset the dramatic natural population decrease. The net migration gain of 1,374 was the lowest since 2016, highlighting the severity of the birth rate decline. Further analysis reveals a concerning trend in emigration. While immigration levels were comparable to pre-pandemic levels, emigration surged in 2024, exceeding the ten-year average by approximately 5,000 people. This increase was partially attributed to Ukrainians leaving Estonia after seeking refuge during the war. The emigration of Estonian citizens also contributed to the net loss. A significant decrease was observed in Ukrainian and Russian immigration, with Russian net migration turning negative for the first time in two decades. The demographic breakdown reveals that Estonian citizens constitute 82% of the population, with Russian and Ukrainian citizens making up 6% and 5%, respectively. Interestingly, the number of people identifying as ethnically Estonian increased by nearly 3,000, while the ethnic Russian population declined by more than 10,000. Estonian remains the native language for 65% of the population. Experts like Terje Trasberg of Statistics Estonia emphasize the inability of positive net migration to compensate for the growing natural decrease. The shrinking population poses significant challenges for Estonia's future, impacting its workforce, economy, and social welfare systems. Addressing this demographic crisis requires a multi-pronged approach, including policies to encourage higher birth rates, attract skilled immigrants, and support families. The long-term consequences of this shrinking population remain a significant concern for the Estonian government and its citizens.