Estonia's injury rates fall, but youth self-harm cases surge alarmingly

Injury cases in Estonia have dropped overall, but intentional self-harm is rising sharply. The trend is most pronounced among young people, with a notable increase over the past decade. Official figures for 2025 highlight both progress and concern in public health. In 2025, Estonia recorded a 7 percent drop in total injuries compared to the previous year. Over the past decade, the decline has reached 11 percent. Falls remained the leading cause, responsible for 42 percent of all injury cases.

Despite this improvement, intentional self-harm cases surged. More than 2,100 such incidents were reported in 2025, a 38 percent rise since 2016. The increase was steepest among younger age groups. Children aged 5-14 accounted for around 31,000 cases, while those aged 15-24 made up around 23,000. Girls represented 79 percent of cases in the younger group and 65 percent in the older one.

Alcohol played a significant role in these incidents. It was a factor in 53 percent of intentional self-harm cases among men and 29 percent among women. Meanwhile, the number of suicides stayed steady, with 179 recorded in 2025. The data shows a mixed picture for Estonia’s injury trends. While overall cases have decreased, the sharp rise in self-harm, especially among girls and young women, signals a growing challenge. Alcohol’s involvement in many cases adds another layer of concern for health authorities.