Muhu Rural Municipality: population and statistics
Muhu Rural Municipality has a population of 1,561 (2026) across 207.9 km², or 7.5 people per km². It ranks 75 of 78 municipalities by population. Its population is falling: −5.2% between 2022 and 2026.
- 1,561 residents
- 207.9 km²
- 8 people/km²
- 23 m
Muhu Rural Municipality in numbers
Key points
Among the 3 municipalities in Saare County, Muhu Rural Municipality ranks No. 2 by population.
Natural increase per 1,000 inhabitants: −29.7 ‰ in Muhu Rural Municipality, compared with an average of −7.8 ‰ in Saare County and −4.7 ‰ nationally.
Dwellings in detached houses (single-dwelling buildings): 88.0% in Muhu Rural Municipality, compared with an average of 59.1% in Saare County and 27.4% nationally.
Largest business sector: Agriculture, forestry and fishing, with 16.5% of the area's businesses.
A 1 kWp solar panel tilted at 43° generates about 1,006 kWh a year here.
Did you know?
- “Natural increase per 1,000 inhabitants”: lower than in 99% of municipalities.
- “Dwellings in detached houses (single-dwelling buildings)”: higher than in 99% of municipalities.
- “Dwellings with central heating”: lower than in 99% of municipalities.
- Its area is roughly equal to 29,116 football pitches.
- Its population density is 4.2 times lower than the national average.
- The nearest more populous municipality is Lääneranna Rural Municipality (4,951 residents), 41 km away.
- A 4 kWp rooftop solar system here would generate about 4,024 kWh a year, roughly what an average household uses.
Population of Muhu Rural Municipality over time
Muhu Rural Municipality had 1,646 residents in 2022 and 1,561 in 2026.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 1,646 |
| 2023 | 1,640 |
| 2024 | 1,627 |
| 2025 | 1,603 |
| 2026 | 1,561 |
All indicators for Muhu Rural Municipality
Value for the municipality, then the regional average and the national median (for counts: regional and national totals). The gauge places the municipality between the lowest and highest value in the country.
Population
| Indicator | Muhu Rural Municipality | Saare County | National | Position? | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of people aged 65 and over (2026) | 29.3% | 23.6% | 24.9% | ranked 10 of 75 | |
| Share of people aged 17 and under (2026) | 14.5% | 18.0% | 18.1% | ranked 67 of 75 | |
| Natural increase per 1,000 inhabitants (2025) | −29.7 ‰ | −7.8 ‰ | −8.4 ‰ | ranked 75 of 75 | |
| Net migration per 1,000 inhabitants (2025) | 2.5 ‰ | −1.4 ‰ | −0.5 ‰ | ranked 30 of 75 |
Housing
| Indicator | Muhu Rural Municipality | Saare County | National | Position? | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dwellings built before 1946 (2021) | 53.7% | 26.2% | 22.3% | ranked 3 of 75 | |
| Dwellings built after 2000 (2021) | 7.6% | 8.1% | 4.5% | ranked 29 of 75 | |
| Dwellings in detached houses (single-dwelling buildings) (2021) | 88.0% | 59.1% | 50.2% | ranked 1 of 75 | |
| Average floor area of dwellings (2021) | 92.6 m² | 77.8 m² | 78.4 m² | ranked 10 of 75 | |
| New dwellings permitted for use in 2021–2025 per 1,000 inhabitants (2025) | 12.6 ‰ | 13.7 ‰ | 8.8 ‰ | ranked 29 of 71 |
Energy
| Indicator | Muhu Rural Municipality | Saare County | National | Position? | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dwellings with central heating (2021) | 12.6% | 35.6% | 45.2% | ranked 75 of 75 |
Economy
| Indicator | Muhu Rural Municipality | Saare County | National | Position? | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average monthly gross wage (2025) | 1,424 € | 1,602 € | 1,676 € | ranked 73 of 75 | |
| Median monthly gross wage (2025) | 1,296 € | – | 1,464 € | ranked 68 of 74 | |
| Number of enterprises (statistical profile enterprises) (2025) | 284 | 3,830 | 159,827 | ranked 74 of 78 | |
| Enterprises per 1,000 inhabitants (2025) | 181.9 ‰ | 121.5 ‰ | 97.1 ‰ | ranked 1 of 75 | |
| Businesses entered in the Commercial Register per 1,000 inhabitants (2026) | 325.4 ‰ | 226.4 ‰ | 174.5 ‰ | ranked 2 of 75 | |
| Businesses registered in the last 12 months per 1,000 inhabitants (2026) | 21.1 ‰ | 13.6 ‰ | 11.4 ‰ | ranked 4 of 75 |
Employment
| Indicator | Muhu Rural Municipality | Saare County | National | Position? | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered unemployed among people aged 16–64 (2025) | 4.4% | 5.1% | 4.7% | ranked 48 of 75 |
Business sectors: Muhu Rural Municipality
Share of each sector in total businesses; “×1.5” means the sector is 1.5 times more common than nationally.
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing16.5% ×2.6
- Professional, scientific and technical13.7% ×0.9
- Construction11.3% ×1.0
- Accommodation and food services10.2% ×3.3
- Manufacturing8.1% ×1.3
- Administrative and support services7.4% ×1.4
- Wholesale and retail trade7.0% ×0.5
- Real estate7.0% ×1.0
Sunshine and temperatures: Muhu Rural Municipality
Where is Muhu Rural Municipality?
Neighbouring municipalities
- Lääneranna Rural Municipality41 km · 4,951
- Haapsalu City41 km · 13,033
- Saaremaa Rural Municipality42 km · 29,869
- Vormsi Rural Municipality45 km · 260
- Hiiumaa Rural Municipality51 km · 8,330
- Lääne-Nigula Rural Municipality53 km · 6,907
- Kihnu Rural Municipality68 km · 490
- Märjamaa Rural Municipality76 km · 7,188
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Muhu Rural Municipality?
Muhu Rural Municipality has 1,561 residents (2026), ranking 75 of 78 municipalities.
How big is Muhu Rural Municipality?
Muhu Rural Municipality covers 207.9 km², with a density of 8 people per km².
Is the population of Muhu Rural Municipality growing?
Between 2022 and 2026, the population of Muhu Rural Municipality went from 1,646 to 1,561, a change of −5.2%.
Where is Muhu Rural Municipality?
Muhu Rural Municipality is in Saare County. Latitude 58.600, longitude 23.250.
Natural increase per 1,000 inhabitants: what is the figure for Muhu Rural Municipality?
In Muhu Rural Municipality, “Natural increase per 1,000 inhabitants” stands at −29.7 ‰ (2025), ranking 75 of 75 municipalities; the national median is −8.4 ‰.
Dwellings in detached houses (single-dwelling buildings): what is the figure for Muhu Rural Municipality?
In Muhu Rural Municipality, “Dwellings in detached houses (single-dwelling buildings)” stands at 88.0% (2021), ranking 1 of 75 municipalities; the national median is 50.2%.
How much electricity does a solar panel produce in Muhu Rural Municipality?
In Muhu Rural Municipality, a 1 kWp south-facing system tilted at 43° produces about 1,006 kWh a year.
Which municipalities border Muhu Rural Municipality?
The nearest to Muhu Rural Municipality are Lääneranna Rural Municipality (41 km), Haapsalu City (41 km), Saaremaa Rural Municipality (42 km), Vormsi Rural Municipality (45 km), Hiiumaa Rural Municipality (51 km).
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