Hiiumaa municipality
Introduction
The Municipality of Hiiumaa encompasses Estonia’s second-largest island, located in the Baltic Sea, approximately 140 kilometres west of the capital city of Tallinn. It covers a territory of 1,032.44 square kilometres. According to Statistics Estonia, as of 2024, the population of Hiiumaa municipality is 9,758 inhabitants.
Location of the Hiuma municipality in Estonia
Population and demographic structure
Hiiumaa municipality, Estonia’s second-largest island, has a population of 9,758 inhabitants as of 2024.
The settlement pattern consists of one town (Kärdla) and 182 villages, with a population density of 9.5 inhabitants per km².
Hiiumaa represents a unique case of an island municipality showing resilience and even slight growth, contrary to the general trend of rural population decline in Estonia. The recent positive trend might indicate a shift in residential preferences and improving economic conditions on the island.
Based on demographic data, the Total Dependency Ratio (TDR) for Hiiumaa municipality stands at 60.8%
Population dynamics in Hiiumaa Municipality on years 2018-2024.
Visualization of the Hiiumaa population demographic breakdown.
Economy
Hiiumaa municipality shows an unemployment rate of only 1.39% in 2024, with 136 registered unemployed persons – this is the lowest unemployment rate among the Estonian pilot municipalities.
The municipality’s economic structure shows a three-sector distribution:
- Primary sector (including fishing and agriculture): 8% of employment
- Secondary sector: 35% of employment, with strong presence in manufacturing and handicrafts
- Tertiary sector: 57% of employment, with significant seasonal variation due to tourism
According to 2023 economic data, Hiiu County had:
- Total GDP: €0.15 billion
- GDP per capita: €17,700
- County ranking: 15th out of 15 Estonian counties
GDP per capita in Hiiuma municipality
Energy resources
Hiiumaa municipality, situated on Estonia’s second-largest island, presents a unique and efficient energy profile. Total energy consumption per capita is 6.8 MWh, reflecting moderate energy use in comparison to mainland municipalities.
Annual electricity consumption stands at 48,917 MWh, supporting the needs of households, businesses, and local industries. Heat energy production totals 15,406 MWh annually, with 14,112 MWh (92%) coming from renewable sources, primarily biomass. This high reliance on renewables demonstrates the municipality’s commitment to sustainable energy practices.
Renewable electricity production to the grid reaches 1,855 MWh per year, a noteworthy contribution among municipalities of similar size. This output highlights Hiiumaa’s potential for further renewable energy development, particularly in wind and solar power, which are well-suited to its island geography.
