The Formation and Development of the Estonian Diaspora

Refugee Quota: Is Estonia Ready to Receive Refugees? A Review of the Literature on Migration and Ethnic Minorities in Estonia

“…This was the time when Estonia experienced its second peak of emigration in its size and the total number was around 200,000 people. This number remained quite stable for a period of time (Tammaru, Haukanomm & Anniste, 2010). However, the main reason for this was because during the Soviet occupation both return migration and migration towards West was almost nonexistence (Tammaru, Haukanomm & Anniste, 2010).…”

“…The formation of this east ward Estonian diaspora was due to demographic transition and population boom in the rural parts of Estonia on one hand (Katus, 1989), and on the other hand contemporary politics and the period along with some social and economic factors played a vital role (Jansen, 2007). This flow of eastern diaspora begun to decrease after the First World War (Tammaru, Haukanomm & Anniste, 2010).…”

“…Emigration from Estonia was at its peak in this time and approximately 19 percent of total population of Estonia migrated to Russia. In 1917 the total number of Estonian diaspora was 215,000 people (Tammaru, Haukanomm, & Anniste, 2010, p. 1159. The formation of this east ward Estonian diaspora was due to demographic transition and population boom in the rural parts of Estonia on one hand (Katus, 1989), and on the other hand contemporary politics and the period along with some social and economic factors played a vital role (Jansen, 2007).…”

“…Later parts of this paper would focus on emigration and ethnic minorities in Estonia and the concept of naturalization that arguably makes the entire discussion of Immigrants in Estonia and ethnic minorities into a complex perspective. Tammaru, Haukanomm, & Anniste (2010), in their study of the formation and development of the Estonian diaspora, figured out three major waves of emigration from Estonia. First wave was East ward and took place between mid-nineteenth century and Second World War.…”

“…Estonia makes a very interesting context and it is one of those few countries in Europe where emigration, return migration and immigration have varied in different times and in different background (Kulu & Tammaru, 2000;Tammaru, Haukanomm & Anniste, 2010;Kulu, 1998). By studying the specific setting of studies on migration in Estonia, this study will enhance our understanding of the pattern of migration studies in this country.…”