Introduction
1.
Haridus murdepunktis
Introduction
  1. The foundations of education: Human capital, strong institutions and the will to pursue education Reflection
  1. Education at a turning point: the old system crumbling, the new one is still emerging Reflection
  1. Seven opportunities to develop the export of Estonian education Reflection
  1. Educational inequality in Estonia: where does it persist and how effectively has it been reduced? Reflection
  1. Lifelong learning must engage both the university-educated engineer and the low-skilled worker Reflection
2.
Hariduse andmetarkus
Introduction
  1. From data to decisions: How does Statistics Estonia help make society more informed? Reflection
  1. PISA blindness: Why is Estonia not using the full potential of its register data? Reflection
3.
Haridus kui tuluteenimise vahend
Introduction
  1. Returns to education Reflection
  1. Does vocational education pay off? Reflection
  1. Teachers’ wage models Reflection
4.
Haridus kui sotsiaalne lift
Introduction
  1. Studying in Estonian-medium schools supports the integration of ethnic minorities Reflection
  1. How do we design a school network that adapts to declining pupil numbers while supporting educational goals and regional development? Reflection
  1. Educational inequality in life expectancy and ways to reduce it Reflection
  1. People with higher education value solidarity and innovation more, while security is valued equally across educational levels Reflection
5.
Tarkvara uuendatud, aga kas õppimine ka?
Introduction
  1. Smart digital learning resources are evolving into an adaptive ecosystem Reflection
  1. Smart use of artificial intelligence requires human intelligence Reflection
  1. Estonia’s education system in the winds of technological and legal change Reflection
  1. Today’s classrooms require digital innovation Reflection
6.
Kestlikkus hariduspeeglis
Introduction
  1. Education is only one stone in the foundation of a sustainable lifestyle Reflection
  1. Local schools and sustainable mobility as prerequisites for independent school travel Reflection
  1. Educational institutions can bridge the gap between climate awareness and climate-responsible behaviour Reflection
  1. Supporting sustainability in education requires changes not only in content but also in teaching methods Reflection
7.
Haridus on turvalise ühiskonna alus
Estonian education 2050 Contributors For the media Information

For the media

The 2026 Estonian Human Development Report, Education Reflected in Society, edited by Prof Eneli Kindsiko of the University of Tartu, examines the impact of education on society and explores how education is reflected in the economy, people’s health, sense of security and the development of the e-state. A central theme running through the report is educational inequality in general education, adult learning and extracurricular education: how to recognise it, understand it and analyse its effects.

  1. Press release  
  2. Key messages and chapter findings
  3. Video introducing the key messages
  4. Full report PDF
  5. Citation: Kindsiko, E. (ed.) 2026. Estonian Human Development Report 2026. Education Reflected in Society. Tallinn: Estonian Cooperation Assembly. 2026.inimareng.ee. https://doi.org/10.58009/aere-perennius0189
  6. Authors
  7. Media contact: Helin Vaher, helin.vaher@agendapr.ee
  8. Estonian Cooperation Assembly contact: Kairi Tilga, kairi@kogu.ee 

The Estonian Human Development Report is a biennially published collection of articles reflecting and interpreting the current socio-economic situation in Estonia and possible future developments.

Produced as a collaboration involving leading researchers and experts, this in-depth report contributes to evidence-based perspectives and policymaking and helps make research accessible to the general public.

The Estonian Human Development Report follows the model of the Human Development Index and Human Development Report published by the United Nations.

The Estonian Human Development Report has been published since 1995, with the Estonian Cooperation Assembly as its publisher since 2006.