At the beginning of 1980s about 142 000 - 162 000 Estonians were living in the West as well as East on the basis of several different assessments outside Estonia, half of whom were able to preserve the mother tongue to a smaller or larger extent by that time.
Ühtekokku elas 1980. aastate algul väljaspool Eestit nii Läänes kui Idas mitmete erinevate hinnangute alusel umbes 142 000 - 162 000 eestlast, kellest peaaegu pooled olid selleks ajaks veel suutnud vähemal või suuremal määral säilitada emakeele.