Estonian Swedes
The Estonian Swedes, or Estonia-Swedes (Swedish: estlandssvenskar, colloquially aibofolke, "island people"; Estonian: eestirootslased), or "Coastal Swedes" (Estonian: rannarootslased) are a Swedish-speaking minority traditionally residing in the coastal areas and islands of what is now western and northern Estonia. During World War II, almost all of the remaining Swedish-speaking minority escaped from the Soviet invasion of Estonia and fled to Sweden in 1944. Only the descendants of a few individuals who stayed behind are permanent residents in Estonia today.
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Sweden | 26,000 |
| Estonia | 811 |
| Languages | |
| Estonian Swedish, Estonian | |
| Religion | |
| Historically Lutheranism Predominantly irreligious | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Finland-Swedes, Swedes, Baltic Germans | |
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