Elanikkonna

Elanikkonna is a term used in demography to denote the resident population of a defined geographic area. In its central use, elanikkond refers to the people who ordinarily reside in the area for statistical purposes, and it is often distinguished from non-residents, tourists, or temporary visitors. The exact definition can vary by country, but common practice is to define the population by place of usual residence.

Data on elanikkonna are typically collected from censuses, population registers, vital statistics, and migration records. Censuses provide a comprehensive snapshot at fixed intervals, while between censuses population estimates are produced using birth and death data, as well as internal and international migration. In some jurisdictions, the term also encompasses people who are temporarily absent but whose usual residence remains in the area.

Key indicators associated with elanikkonna include its size and density, the age structure and median age, the sex ratio, fertility and mortality rates, life expectancy, and net migration. These indicators help describe demographic dynamics such as aging, urbanization, and population growth or decline, and they are essential for planning in areas like healthcare, education, housing, and infrastructure.

In practice, elanikkonna is used at various geographic levels, from national to regional and municipal, to compare demographic characteristics, monitor trends over time, and inform policy decisions. The concept is widely used in Estonian-language statistical terminology as part of standard demographic reporting.