Survey: Estonian companies are the most crisis-prepared in the Baltics
Estonian companies are more proactive than their Latvian and Lithuanian counterparts in preparing for geopolitical risks and potential disruptions, according to a Baltic corporate survey commissioned by OP Corporate Bank. Companies in Estonia also collaborate more closely with public authorities and the public sector.
The survey found that 99% of Estonian companies have taken measures to strengthen their resilience against geopolitical risks or potential disruptions. The corresponding figures are 87% in Latvia and 95% in Lithuania.
According to Maila Kirspuu, Country Manager of OP Corporate Bank in Estonia, the crises of recent years have changed how companies perceive risks.
“Cybersecurity, contingency planning, supply chain resilience and cooperation with the public sector are no longer exceptional activities but an integral part of responsible business management. The results show that companies in Estonia take geopolitical risks very seriously,” says Kirspuu.
The most common measure taken by Estonian companies has been strengthening cybersecurity (88%). Companies have also developed business continuity and crisis management plans (82%), cooperated with public authorities or the public sector to mitigate risks (68%), and invested in employee training and crisis preparedness (67%).
Less than half of Estonian companies have focused on securing supplies and critical resources (49%), investing in more resilient infrastructure (48%), supporting the defence or security sector (36%), or providing donations and assistance to countries affected by crises (19%).
One example is AS Tallinna Vesi, which has developed crisis management plans and established crisis response teams to prevent or resolve problems caused by severe weather, technical disruptions or other unforeseen events more effectively.
“Continuously strengthening our resilience is a natural part of our company’s strategy and is supported by ongoing investments. Cooperation with local authorities, the state and other partners is particularly important for us as a provider of an essential daily service,” says Aleksandr Timofejev, CEO of Tallinna Vesi.
Compared with other Baltic countries, Estonia stands out for the frequency with which companies cooperate with the government or public sector to address geopolitical risks and disruptions. In Estonia, 68% of surveyed companies reported such cooperation, compared with 30% in Lithuania and 22% in Latvia.
“This suggests that crisis preparedness is increasingly seen in Estonia as a shared responsibility. Private sector readiness, public sector information and the broader security framework must work together,” explains Kirspuu.
The high level of preparedness among Estonian companies is a positive sign for the resilience of the economy as a whole. According to Kirspuu, corporate preparedness benefits far more than individual organisations.“When companies can continue operating during disruptions, reorganise supply chains, protect employees and maintain essential services, they help keep the broader economy functioning as well. Particularly in a small and open economy, it is important that companies do not only react to crises after they occur but build resilience continuously and systematically,” says the Country Manager of OP Corporate Bank in Estonia.
The survey commissioned by OP Corporate Bank included 305 companies from various sectors across Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. It was conducted in April 2026. The results provide valuable insights into the key challenges companies face amid economic and geopolitical uncertainty. The survey was carried out by KOG Institute for Marketing and Communications Sciences.