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This January, the population of Tallinn increased by over 4,000 people – more than last year’s total. In addition to Harju County, a strong flow towards the capital came from Ida-Viru County with close to half thousand people registering as Tallinners in January.
From the town of Kohtla-Järve, one of Ida-Viru County’s largest municipalities, 105 people registered as Tallinners over the month. According to Mayor Yevgeni Solovyev, the benefits offered by Tallinn definitely play a role, including the capital’s free public transport.
«The picture is clear and this was to be expected. We don’t have enough jobs here and they go find one in Tallinn,» admitted Mr Solovyev, adding that people used to remain citizens of Kohtla-Järve, but are now reregistering as Tallinners. «The family is registered in Kohtla-Järve, but they themselves get registered in Tallinn,» he explained.
Mr Solovyev believes, however, that it is a one-off migration, expecting the tide to go down in months to come. If and how it affects the town budget and income, the Mayor was unable to pinpoint at the moment.
From Narva, a total of 475 people reregistered for Tallinn last year, according to records – a fifth of that in December. Even here, parallels may be drawn with the option of free public transport.
In addition to Ida-Viru County, significant numbers also left Tartu County – 305 people registering in Tallinn, in January. The least number of people left Hiiu County and Põlva County (56 and 61, respectively). In Harju County, 804 turned Tallinners.