How Estonia became one of the world’s most advanced digital societies | CNBC Reports

Ninety-nine percent of public services are available online in the Baltic country of Estonia. So how did this nation of 1.3 million people become one of the most advanced digital societies in the world? CNBC’s Elizabeth Schulze reports from Tallinn.
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[@sumbo8452]

I am from Estonia and I am happy because i speak the secret language that only 1.3 million do!

[@ellulemmumup]

Sama siin

[@Cr4kyr]

What the hell are you talking about. 300 000 - 400 000 immigrants and you think 1.3m is talking Estonian?? Have you been to Tallinn or Narva at all?

[@Cr4kyr]

@@AKR088 Tibla detected. You're not fooling anyone. Voting for Keskerakond yeah? Yana Toom your idol? Mihhail Kõlvart perhaps

[@odgerelgansukhkatuu692]

Great i was looking down population of Dallas. 1.3 mil. I am from Mongolia 3mill. Your country is great, Leader to whole world.

[@markus8553]

A K jah meil on 1.3 mil inimest aga 25% on venelased ju ja paljud ei oska eesti keelt.

[@MrWatchmen759]

This is a heaven for anyone who studies competed programming

[@solareiusdeiu]

or cryptos ...

[@gilfoylekhan]

and torrenting bros.lmao

[@spookysenpai7642]

🇪🇪Estonia: Beep Boop Baap, I'm a Robot. 🇯🇵Japan: Im I a joke to you 🇪🇪Estonia: Beep Boop, yes.

[@ersatzvitamin1]

Japan, home of Galaga, Gyals, Games, and Galapagos-ification!

[@hardking5252]

Why?

[@osamabinladen824]

Evergreen Indio BEST COMMENT!

[@KirbyPlays23]

China 🇨🇳: 朋友是一个坚韧不拔的纪录片， 在香港这座城市的设置。 主演：钱德勒 索罗斯 傅博斯1 瑞秋 莫妮卡 和一些其他他妈的演员。朋友”是一部精彩的纪录片，位于香港城市，主演陈莉，现代动漫剧中的前任男人

[@erseshe]

In 2400 Estonia's going to have solve the problem of not having metros by uploading everyone's brain into the first virtual democracy while Japan's going to have mechas that communicate via fax machine

[@santiagocarreno5881]

I'm here because Estonia has become far and away the most successful economy of the ex-soviet states (per capita wise), so, I'm trying to figure out how did Estonia manage to do that, given than most of the ex-soviet countries are economically stagnant in comparison to Western European countries

[@r.t.hannah9575]

After they regained independence from the Soviet Union in the 90's their new prime minister listened to Milton Friedman. They enacted an easy to manage flat tax rate for citizens and a 0% corporate tax on re-investments in Estonia. They allowed their economy to grow and kept their government small and un-intrusive. In later decades they adopted technology and outsourced expensive administrative government work to machines and automation. They're a brilliant and modern people. I hope the US will adopt some of their practices.

[@Uga-booga]

Estonias took a strong stand against corruption and the old soviet ways. It has become a principal here to say no to bribes of any kind. Fascinating culture based on truths and transparency.

[@FrontlineNepal]

Happy to hear. (From Nepal)

[@patrickm7754]

They also rank very high on the economic freedom index

[@avas5311]

they can't produce anything real.

[@eddenoy321]

Which is what, exactly ?

[@Junaidkhan-nd7zx]

@@avas5311 in future everything will be digital. If you are pointing to wheat rice and other things then they can buy it. So no problem.

[@sakthiprasanna8010]

They are the least religious country in the world - what a coincidence.

[@freethinker4liberty]

That is the ONLY reason, Milton's ideas put into practice, a flat tax, little regulation.

[@KrK-EST]

@CNBC International < - - CORRECTION @ 2:51 ! in 1991 Estonia RE gained independence. Estonia the country is 101 years old, Estonia was forcefully occupied by Russia ! Estonia won the independence war against Russia with overwhelming success (almost capturing Russian capital), but they still manage to take control.

[@ryhanzfx1641]

Its just words my friend, i do think it should be regained independence

[@ryhanzfx1641]

And what is that event about almost capturing Russian capital? Never heard of it

[@krokuke]

@@ryhanzfx1641 The estonian war of independence where we were 10 km away from petrograd.

[@HigherQualityUploads]

Ironic that the countries that's perhaps most known for being "high-tech," (e.g. Japan and USA) actually have perhaps the most antiquated digital infrastructure.

[@QODHardasiandickBAC]

How about China

[@INTJ791]

​@@QODHardasiandickBACchina not known as high tech for west people, it usually japan

[@Bambisgf77]

That’s not by accident… I don’t feel as passionate as some but I would not like everything to be done digitally.

[@newkid7]

been there, a fun place to visit, many post soviet heritage

[@joghaella9500]

Her pronounciation of Estonian names is pretty good! :)

[@windskm]

Nice. Many cool videos to watch here from Elizabeth and Uptin

[@spookypineapple]

I'm so jealous of this! America is ass-backwards when it comes to voting, medical records, and doing anything through the DMV. I can't say I ever thought I would be jealous of Estonia, but here we are!

[@KarlSnarks]

Same from the Netherlands. We do have a decent system for medical records, online ID for government websites, and online banking and finances (even payment system called Tikkie specifically designed for "going Dutch" digitally😁) but it's all no where near as advanced and easy as their system (and our voting is still 100% paper). It's also not as secure as theirs, because it's not a blockchain system.

[@IsverJusver]

You're always welcome in Estonia because Estonians are really welcoming and nice to people who go to Estonia because Estonia doesn't get attention at all from media. So you might wanna look forward on visiting us in the future.

[@hellofkn3282]

@@IsverJusver yours country immigration laws is very complex.

[@havalinachiel7694]

yaa . I could think of running ass backwards into the t-800 ( Terminator ) . And I ´ll be all like : I ´ll be back !

[@driver13g27]

The leader of the German liberal party sees Estonia as a digital role model for Germany & rightfully so, Germany really is a digital third-world country due to the lack of broadband internet / bad digital infrastructure, lack of 5G, masses of bureaucracy that come to you by mail just to get a signature and the date from you, rural regions not having Internet altogether, lacking AI investment (although it's getting better) etc.

[@jascrandom9855]

Germany not having broadband internet? There is 40Mbps for 40€/month. Nobody has 5G yet.

[@huckleberryfinn6578]

@@jascrandom9855 Yes, but only in the big cities and conurbations, and even there not everywhere. The Internet coverage is very porous.

[@jascrandom9855]

@@huckleberryfinn6578 My paternal side of my family lives in the country side in Germany, and they have very fast Internet. You must be thinking of Eastern Germany.

[@gustavohernandez5900]

@@jascrandom9855 I've lived in the south if Germany for a while, and the only big problem with Internet that I've had has been the bad signal. Sometimes just getting into a house is enough to make your intenet not work, but this is mostly in small towns. Nonetheless, I've also experienced some problems in big cities like Munich or Stuttgart

[@suokkos]

@@jascrandom9855 , I know this is a bit old comment but 1Gbps for 50-70€ is and expected consumer pricing for today (both 5G and fiber). I personally have used only 4G for 25€ per month (unlimited data) since 2015 before that I used 3G which worked well enough so I was lazy to upgrade.

[@princeabbas1996]

Tere to Estonia from Azerbaijan!!!

[@MafiosoDon21]

Can you move easily?

[@JustOneGirl81]

Tere Alex! :)

[@travel9two557]

I went here in March of 2018 with my friend (were two black guys from America NYC🗽) and it was the COLDEST! Country I've ever been too and the coldest I've been in my life lol. None the less we had a GREAT! Time...and everything about the video is 100% true. If it wasn't for the cold weather i'd move there cause they are looking for skilled immigrants workers to move in 🙌🏾

[@user-kn3of5pp8j]

Jethro Auguste It‘s not that cold here.

[@travel9two557]

@@user-kn3of5pp8j go in February/ March and see for yourself then. 👌🏾

[@margot3711]

true...

[@user-kn3of5pp8j]

Jethro Auguste I live here.

[@zbridgjpxupzm]

then certainly you have never been to Canada. Europe's coldest places are very mild compared to Canada...

[@ml68cutie]

Note to self: There are three things that seemingly relevant but actually totally separate and independent from each other - (1) how well a country builds its comprehensive digital system, (2) how safe a country can keep its comprehensive digital system from hacking, and (3) how much interest hackers would have to invade the digital system to steal valuable assets, if there is any valuable.

[@rinojohn2289]

Feels like a Star Trek episode, where everything is online and can be accessed digitally.

[@avas5311]

it's a tale for fools

[@johnroekoek12345]

@@avas5311 It still is today? I'm just curious

[@liyuling1984]

The cute journalist is my favorite part of CNBC

[@Baldoxxx4000]

shes ok

[@frieza2235]

Yuling nooooo

[@kagez6515]

How to overthrow the estonian government: break the electricity system

[@margot3711]

OH NO. PLEASE DOONT

[@AlexLuik]

Nope. We have an e-embassy that stores all the data in a backup, in Luxembourg. More locations coming soon.

[@kagez6515]

AlekseiLebedevEU congrats, you ruined the joke with the ‘ackchually’ card.

[@AlexLuik]

@@kagez6515 we don't make jokes in Estonia

[@jansenskyler6072]

You meant how to overthrow the world

[@tommalfoy8539]

My eye is on Estonia now! After Singapore

[@satriaamiluhur622]

When your country is small enough that just adequate amount of infrastructure is enough for everybody

[@hannes0000]

Well if you have more people your gov gets more tax money to spend its all the same in the end.

[@infiltr80r]

Size is not that relevant. Infrastructure spend per capita is high in Estonia. The country is geographically the size of Netherlands, population about 17 million (Estonia 1.3). Think about the costs of the road network that needs upkeep. Plenty of highways lead to places where there are really no taxpayers.

[@opaulodetarso]

Excelente reportagem.

[@Beaheadoeverybody]

I love this this is what our country America need's also as in this era internet it is a basic right that is needed to keep up to date with everything and to work online and to study online it is a basic right for all humans to have internet in this day and age

[@englishbest]

It will take Germany 20 to 30 years to reach the point Estonia is at now.

[@driver13g27]

Plus political will is lacking, at least I don't see any of the steps that need to be taken being made

[@ewgegkeugrwug1739]

I find that the political system is just a slogan. The key is leadership.

[@Redmanticore]

for example many british, german, and usa private company and public system still uses faxes...(!) ( they are not secure _at all_ , they were not originally designed with security in mind, no reason to use them ) in usa filing taxes is still a nightmare for no reason .. sometimes it really is better to be a small, nimble, high tech country, you can make big upgrades and changes fast, if you want to and the country can be more positive with tech use and training. you can far more easily totally train smaller populations than big ones, that have the culture of not trusting government. small new countries governments dont carry that baggage. in usa they would have a civil war if you tried to make estonia level changes into society, they would be scared, yell facism and all kinds of nonsense. in usa there are taxing firms industry that lobby against making taxes automated, because they would lose their business. in big countries its all so tiresome..

[@kyleterry5190]

It depends, cuz in a certain situation it will only take a few days for the german flag to fly in their capital

[@kyleterry5190]

@dota vinkz you might've forgotten the holy roman empire

[@polloloci21]

Having 1 million people makes it easier. Still impressed though

[@chelsea655]

This is so freaking cool

[@marlineharrold1937]

I really enjoyed the video. :)

[@WorldwideTrainSpotter]

India and Estonia can work together to reap the benefits of digital services, since both countries are introducing a whole range of digital initiatives. 🇮🇳🤝🇪🇪

[@Kvaliteetne]

As an estonian I think people have wrong impression about us. It's not as good as you think. The ID cards of all the citizens were compromised, all the info was potentially available for everyone. And then they say that you have to get a new card and pay for it yourself.There have been few times when the cards are compromised, but that might be only a small number what the public is aware of.

[@ravindertalwar553]

Great excitement to see

[@chaibig]

Amazing

[@jzk2020]

Rwanda is doing something similar.

[@JSH-do5qf]

In South Korea, most of those services have been placed But some of them are nor because of personal information issues.

[@marcusrakyat8891]

Estonia 🇪🇪 is a beautiful country but beware of Russia 🇷🇺. Superb country. Good luck from Malaysia 🇲🇾.

[@rapator9270]

Russia superb, have you Ever been in Russia?

[@marcusrakyat8891]

Yes I went during World Cup 2018. Yes country view is nice.

[@rapator9270]

@@marcusrakyat8891 So 135 EUR minimum salary, beton flats and garbage around them is superb for you?

[@rapator9270]

@@marcusrakyat8891 2 options, you have 3 world standards or you havent been in Russia.

[@matthew5556]

I'm Polish, fuck Russia. You don't need to talk about this country everytime you see an Eastern/ Central European country. It's irrelevant. It's 21st century now, not cold war. It makes Europeans angry.

[@Wanoiyori]

Switzerland should take notes!

[@richardlighthouse5328]

Estonia regained independence in 1991 and gained independence in 24th of February, 1918. But shortly after was under the Russian occupation.

[@Mart77]

from 1796 Estonia was occupied by russian empire. Gained independence from russian empire in 1918. Got occupied by Nazi Germany in 1941. In 1945 german occupation was replaced with russian occupation. Gained final independence in 1991. So yeah, not much of indepence been going on.

[@noelj317]

I don't think I've seen any videos on them from you guys, but can you look into emerging markets like Vietnam and Taiwan.

[@QODHardasiandickBAC]

I suppose that U mean China

[@infoprovider4844]

Estonia rocks!

[@ThriftyCHNR]

Very powerful country.

[@danielgyllenbreider]

lol

[@tommyk1807]

Yeah! We can easily switch off electricity in your country 7f u dont stop your stupid sarkasm

[@DougGrinbergs]

3:23 Skype an Estonian company 4:05 2007 major cyber attack 4:22 elementary schools teach cyber hygiene! 4:51 digital nomad visa, e-residency 6:30 Estonia population roughly same as Dallas

[@madhusaivemulamada3556]

Calling the channel international and compares population with dallas, which makes people outside from US look into actual population. If you call the channel international explain in international standards not in any specific country's standards. By the way video is good

[@Dim.g0v]

They know their audience and it's not like even most Americans know how big the city of Dallas is. What city would you prefer they use, and how would that make any meaningful difference as to giving the audience a sense of perspective.

[@madhusaivemulamada3556]

I don't prefer any city. Giving the numbers would do the job

[@EganMRMark]

They used a comparison because their demographic contains mostly English speakers from the United States. CNBC is a mainstream news source in the United States, not just a KZbin Channel. Their audience is huge here, hence the comparison to a U.S State. The channel isn't generally geared toward "international markets" but for the people in the United States to view the international community.

[@EganMRMark]

In a sense, generally for Americans looking out. This is why the channel is called "International." Not because of their audience but because of the content.

[@madhusaivemulamada3556]

Good explanation @@EganMRMark That explains. I'm not against it, but if they could explain it in more general terms like numbers, they'll have more audience.

[@MS-37]

The children learn to code?! Damn, good on them

[@piggybanks6682]

WOW! amazing

[@ignaciobalais5394]

Awesome

[@mhdabdulhai123]

they should've called the conference "e-stonia" man what a missed oppurtunity

[@pyqxquake]

Hello im estonian

[@driver13g27]

Coooooooool I love it

[@davidfreeman3083]

Soo...... What's the requirement of getting an e-residency? I'm seriously thinking about applying for one.

[@xevicxavier9802]

OMG this is very unbelievable. Its sad to know that they are not included in the list of top advanced countries.

[@kasper2892]

We have one of the vest public transports for free and wery good train systems across the country, for transport you can rent bikes and electronic cars in many cities as well

[@thaminduKavinda]

That's the country I wish to live

[@johanomega200]

Estonia has interest to take most of world money stream in start up, nowadays. Trust me.

[@movingshapes]

I just got my Estonian e-Resident card :)

[@conor20118]

Does it have your photo on it ??

[@necdetsumer6977]

Same in Türkiye as well

[@evaristegalois6282]

_In Soviet Russia, you-..._ oh wait, incorrect muse of meme

[@lourencovieira313]

Estonia belonged to soviet russia so

[@nevoobrazimiy]

Don't even start... Even within USSR Estonia has a relatively advanced economy.

[@xwiirastusx]

@@lourencovieira313 Almost everything USED TO belong to something or another. Let go already...

[@mrpythagoras7079]

You need a life

[@Sten172]

No soviets here

[@sathiyogi7085]

Same like denmark

[@magicmystery4211]

you won't ever feel lonely cause you exists. you exists at someone's database

[@WeMakeVideosCA]

One of the reason America is so successful. Is that we invested in tech and have a pretty rewarding tax system for the upper class. So if you become rich in another first world country you will notice that the tax is pretty large. So America attracts rich immigrants to start a business or become a resident there. Just think about it. It's harder for a poor person to leave a country but extremely easy for a rich person.

[@tejaswilog3946]

India is doing the same at a new level

[@god-son-love]

How does E-voting ensure breach from hackers ?

[@minaolenella869]

hackers would leave a trace, which means new elections. So far there has not been any successful hacks of elections

[@potatomatop9326]

They can thank Kerli

[@jiainsf]

vanguard Estonia!

[@saimairam9936]

Whats the scope of drs there?

[@HectorSpector]

Maybe Tallinn will be our own Nordic Cyberpunk Venice in 20 years.

[@HectorSpector]

@Radiation___2 Rise of the Finno Ugric tech empire then.

[@user-jo1qf9bd6o]

Now that was very good reporting! Must point out, Wal-Mart Pickup Towers are also coming from Estonia, even made in Estonia, just saying! :)

[@MrDanielfff777]

Thank you Milton Friedman

[@321crypto2]

@Nancy_investment

[@mvpmikey]

I told my coworker what if America have an all-in one I.D that includes driver license, Tax, vote, medical record with digital prescriptions so people will lose the ability to abuse drugs since every pharmacy knows how much you already bought, so as higher accuracy in diagnosis cause every doctor share the same records of you. My coworkers called me stupid and that's never going to happen. *Estonia just made my American coworker stupid* I migrated to the wrong country. Guess I'll head to Estonia next.

[@ryhanzfx1641]

@Studydocu Dotcom its less about that, its about easier access to IDs

[@ryhanzfx1641]

@Robert Adkins hey man quit smoking weed, that is degenerate statement

[@Dream-kv9wj]

Probably the richest country in Eastern Europe in terms of GDP

[@Sininehobune]

😄I live in Estonia

[@sebi089]

I was looking if Estonia is legit because many p2p and crypto companys that pay me are there. This is the future. change my mind.

[@swirlandtwirl5417]

Wow, direct interview to the president

[@TZarKar]

Tech the right way!

[@DubaiWalkingTours]

Amazing 👏..Am into digital currency business, AI bot. The world is digital already.

[@stevesiverling4628]

Personally, I wonder about online access is more important if there is stuff like that. I think it would cost the same but I am not sure about how that would work. I am not sure what people would do without the internet.

[@shubhamp5]

No lyf vro without internet

[@endlessfreedomful]

And Estonia has the highest forest coverage rate in the world

[@zerihunyakob3909]

hi I am from Ethiopia how can I visit your country?

[@wendynz9961]

需要很长时间去普及

[@abdulqadira.mohammed2415]

Wow

[@brinkermeers3196]

See how tones changes when it is about " allied nations" Imagine how the title and the reporter tone gonna change if it is reporting technology advancement from China

[@infiltr80r]

Meanwhile for certain types of income, Estonia taxes people more than say Sweden, Netherlands or the UK. Taxation is why the digital nomad plan won't take off. Digital nomads aren't about renting a desk and having internet in 2019, it's mostly financial incentives that lure them in.

[@Redmanticore]

if i remember right, estonia has flat taxation. like 20% for every income class. sweden has progressive taxation up to 60%.

[@infiltr80r]

@@Redmanticore Income taxes and capital gains is flat at 20%. But there are social taxes and high VAT (20%). Meanwhile if you derive your income from abroad and it's capital gains, you'd be taxed less in the UK or Netherlands. They actually favor people immigrating who bring in money from abroad and don't compete with local workforce. Not true for Estonia.

[@sten260]

yea the social tax sucks, we need to get rid of it and reduce VAT as well

[@plebisycthe]

so... now we know what country will fall first if internet goes down all throughout for like, say, zombie apocalypse?

[@HITSAvideokanal]

Digital education facts at 3:00

[@JIROHirokawa]

Puppey is proud

[@conor20118]

People called people crazy for using paper, and they will do the same for digital

[@watcher5729]

Digital Citadel

[@Obibininsoy3nipa]

Wow! Can someone sponsor me to move to Estonia?? I will work hard to pay Thank you

[@hannes0000]

Thats my country,i want to live there because i hate people or talking to them and doing all in internet is like wow ,i can stay at home.

[@ipkeez]

OMG the country has an offical CIO!! :O

[@novaholive1290]

The Rich are rich not because they look rich, but rather becAuse they possess the skills and strategies of the rich.The rich invest their money first into asset first before purchasing liabilities.the rich build multiple incOme streams to diversify thier income

[@genesishaisley7019]

it doesn't really work that way I have been watching video and wasting time on strategies.Get yourself a professional broker and make your own profit

[@emailwilliamgrobanmanageme6677]

I don't even know the basics and fundamental of Bitcoin trading talk more of having a broker I really need one

[@genesishaisley7019]

and I can say they are the most sincere and trusted broker service I can stand for

[@comfortudoiyak5196]

automate trading service is obviously the best I invested 8000 and I made profit of 47000 in weeks

[@emailwilliamgrobanmanageme6677]

their success story is everywhere please how can I reach automate

[@bemo8943]

What a place to be a hacker

[@rushdHBTS]

E-Residence is EU Citizens only ? If available for other Country Citizens, How to Apply? ?

[@szoszk]

It's available for everyone. You apply online and one you are approved you have to pick the ID card up at any Estonian embassy or consulate around the world. But keep in mind that e-residency doesn't grant you physical residency in Estonia or the EU.

[@peterchiung1159]

1.3 million people is a country... easy to do. But in China for example.. province of Guangzhou is 44 million people. It's a totally different ball game.

[@eksiarvamus]

How are such reforms any easier in a small society??

[@Notsovegan]

@@eksiarvamus Less resources are required.

[@rapator9270]

@@Notsovegan China havent solved main problem, what is low% internet access. If you want make servises digital, people must use it also.

[@jascrandom9855]

@@Notsovegan Also, Less resources are available

[@jascrandom9855]

@@rapator9270 You don't need people using the Internet to make services Digital. Only if you intend to make Exclusively Digital.

[@moonjuice8322]

This is all great but how did you solve the problem of unemployment after making so many of vital processes digital? Were people just left without jobs?

[@moonjuice8322]

I bet Estonia took corona situation way better than most of the countries

[@chadigalul3485]

They probably work in tech fields

[@kalx007]

even during covid conditions... we still need more workers. job offerings skyrocket. especially engineers, tech fields, specialists.

[@liweisun2037]

I knew this country because of Puppey

[@gbaili]

Georgie Bailey

[@joshuajoshua46]

THAT'S YOUR NORMAL VOICE ?

[@billbecker5357]

This is how government gets access to all your information. There's no such thing as digital privacy. Estonia may be able to overcome these issues because it has virtually no reason to intimidate its tiny population. But for other countries, thanks but no thanks.

[@JesusChristDenton_7]

"Privacy stopped being a right when everyone started using 'free' e-mail accounts and smartphones." - ShadowChild, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

[@JesusChristDenton_7]

"Your notions of privacy are old-fashioned. It was a love of privacy that brought on the Collapse. A love of secrets, plans, and personal possessions." - Ava Johnson, Deus Ex: Invisible War

[@boyar3033]

Hopefully that at 1:11 is not this guy's real ID card.

[@Potchefstroom]

Wow, can I become an Estonian? And how?

[@facehugger8995]

is there net good? mite have to move there !!!

[@keirtapper6158]

Good

[@ShantyTowniekKMm]

99% of Estonia is covered by a connection to the net.