Nordic identity in Estonia refers to the concept that Estonia is, or ought to be considered, one of the Nordic countries. The current mainstream view outside of Estonia does not usually include Estonia among Nordic countries, but categorizing it as a Nordic or Northern European country is common in Estonia.
A push towards being defined as a "Nordic" has existed in independent Estonia since the war of independence in 1918, however, gaining "official membership" of the Nordic region was interrupted by their annexation by the Soviet Union during World War II. Estonia has been interested in joining the Nordic region again since 1991, when it regained its independence from the Soviet Union's occupation. The Estonian language is closely related to the Finnish language; both are Finnic languages. The Swedish indigenous minority called eestirootslased or rannarootslased in Estonian, and estlandssvenskar or aibofolket in Swedish, has attestably lived in Estonia since the 13th century, similarly to Finnish Swedes in Finland. The extensive settlement of Swedes in Northern and Western Estonia, especially in the islands and coastal areas, has had a significant impact on Estonian culture and also language. Historically, Swedes made up about 25% of the population of Tallinn (Reval), the capital, and even more in Haapsalu (Hapsal). The number of Swedes in Estonia, including in these cities, fell sharply due to the Soviet occupation. The Scandinavian connection from the Estonian Viking Age and later from being a part of the Danish and Swedish Empires for few centuries, especially Northern Estonia (historically called Estland), left a lasting influence on the creation of the Estonian identity during the national awakening period of the 19th century.
Some of the most important trade partners of Estonia are the Nordic countries. Estonia's largest import and export partners from the Nordic countries are Finland and Sweden (23% of all export and 20% of all import in July 2020). Three quarters of the investments that go to Estonia come from the Nordic countries, especially from Finland.
Public attitudes
Põhjamaad means both "Nordic countries" and "Northern countries" in the modern Estonian language. Whereas very few Estonians self-identify as Scandinavians, the ethnic Estonians' homeland has been almost invariably referred to as põhjamaa ("Northern country", instead of "Western" or "Eastern" country), both in Estonian popular culture and media, as well as in surveys of public opinion and statements made by leading politicians.
53.3% of ethnically Estonian youth consider belonging in the Nordic identity group as important or very important for them. 52.2% have the same attitude towards the "Baltic" identity group, according to a research study from 2013.
Sociologist Mikko Lagerspetz has observed that the attitudes towards the Nordic identity in the Estonian society can be grouped in three: (1) Estonia is already a Nordic country; (2) Estonia needs to become a Nordic country but is not there yet; (3) Estonia should walk its own unique path.
In 2020, the University of Tartu conducted a psychological survey with 6th grade students to find out, among other things, which countries they consider to be the most important and closest to Estonia. The study was performed by drawing. Ethnic Estonian students depicted Estonia the most, together with Sweden, Finland and other Nordic countries, leaving Latvia, Lithuania and Russia generally undrawn. Non-Estonian students (mostly Russians) on the contrary portrayed Estonia with the Baltic states and also with Russia. This shows that ethnic Estonian (6th graders) consider themselves as one of the Nordic nations and we can assume that this view is common in younger ethnic Estonians including young adults.
Modern political narrative
An important element in Estonia's post-independence reorientation has been closer ties with the Nordic countries, especially Finland and Sweden. In December 1999, then Estonian foreign minister (and President of Estonia from 2006 until 2016) Toomas Hendrik Ilves delivered a speech titled "Estonia as a Nordic Country" to the Swedish Institute for International Affairs. In 2003, the foreign ministry also hosted an exhibit called "Estonia: Nordic with a Twist".
In 2015, the Estonian prime minister Taavi Rõivas defined the country's narrative as a "New Nordic Country", or "Uus Põhjamaa".
A conference comprising the heads of the coalition government was held in September 2016, discussing Estonia's outlook as a Nordic country.