Finland
Finland is a highly developed Northern European nation known for its expansive forests, advanced technology, and high standard of social welfare. Current estimates show the country has a population of approximately 5.7 million and a GDP per capita of approximately $53,600.
Where is Finland?
Finland
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Finland
- Coordinates
- 64.00°, 26.00°
Population Details
- Population
- 5.7M
- Area
- 338,455 km²
- Density per km²
- 17 / km²
- Growth rate
- +0.64%
- Annual growth
- +36.6K people
- Daily growth
- +100.22 people
- World population share
- 0.07%
Population & Social Snapshot
Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Finland
Age Distribution
Urbanization
Health & Education Benchmarks
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Helsinki
- Region
- Europe
- Area
- 338,455 km²
- Languages
- Finnish, Swedish
- Currency
- euro (€)
- Timezones
- UTC+02:00
- UN Member
- Yes
Economy
The Finnish economy is a highly industrialized, mixed system driven by electronics, machinery, and a world-class forestry sector. Recent data indicates a total GDP of approximately $299 billion and an annual growth rate of 0.4%, placing the nation 47th globally and 19th in Europe. While it maintains a strong social security system, the country currently manages an unemployment rate of 9.5%, which ranks 40th globally for having the lowest unemployment among 186 nations. The latest ranking for GDP per capita places Finland 29th globally and 18th in Europe.
Society
With a life expectancy at birth of 82.3 years, Finland ranks 30th globally, reflecting its commitment to public health and universal healthcare. The nation is a pioneer in digital inclusion, with 93.7% of the population using the internet, a figure that ranks 40th in the world. Despite high education standards and a literacy rate that is among the highest in the OECD, the country faces demographic shifts due to a low fertility rate of 1.25 births per woman. Recent estimates place Finland at a population rank of 116 globally and 23rd in Europe.
Climate & Environment
Finland experiences a cold temperate climate characterized by severe, snowy winters and relatively short, mild summers. Its geographical landscape features a rugged coastline of 1,250 km (777 mi) and over 100,000 lakes scattered across northern taiga forests. Temperatures in the northern Lapland region can frequently drop to -30 °C (-22 °F) during the darkest winter months.
Government & Politics
- Government Type
- parliamentary republic
- Independence
- 1917-12-06 (Soviet Russia)
Finland is a parliamentary republic characterized by a unicameral legislature known as the Eduskunta, consisting of 200 members. The political system emphasizes a multi-party structure, often requiring coalition governments to ensure stability. While the President of the Republic serves as the head of state and leads foreign policy outside of European Union affairs, the Prime Minister acts as the head of government and exercises executive power. This structure provides a high degree of transparency and consistently ranks Finland among the least corrupt nations globally. Administrative divisions rely heavily on local governance, with municipalities exercising significant autonomy over education, healthcare, and local infrastructure. Following its independence from Soviet Russia in 1917, Finland has maintained a resilient democratic tradition. Recent geopolitical shifts led the nation to join NATO, reflecting a strategic evolution in its long-standing policy of military non-alignment while maintaining its status as a dedicated member of the United Nations.
History
Finland's history was defined for centuries by its position between major powers. From the 12th century until 1809, the territory was a central part of the Swedish Kingdom, which influenced its legal and social structures. Following the Finnish War, the region became an autonomous Grand Duchy within the Russian Empire. This autonomy allowed for the development of a distinct national identity, culminating in the declaration of independence on 6 December 1917 during the collapse of the Russian Empire. The early years of independence were marked by a brief but bitter civil war in 1918. During World War II, Finland fought two major conflicts against the Soviet Union—the Winter War and the Continuation War—to preserve its sovereignty. Although it ceded territory, the nation remained independent. In the post-war era, Finland successfully navigated a policy of neutrality while rapidly transforming from an agrarian society into a high-tech industrial leader. The country joined the European Union in 1995 and adopted the euro as its currency. Modern development has focused on the Nordic welfare model, providing extensive social services and high-quality education, contributing to a life expectancy of 82.34 years and an urban population of 74.26%.
Notable Facts
- Finland is often called the Land of a Thousand Lakes, featuring approximately 188000 lakes across a total area of 338455 km² (130678 sq mi).
- The country is home to the indigenous Sami people, who comprise 0.1% of the population and maintain their distinct culture and languages in the northern Lapland region.
- Finland's highest peak is Halti, reaching 1328 m (4357 ft) near the border with Norway, while its lowest point is the Baltic Sea at 0 m (0 ft).
- Sauna culture is integral to Finnish life, with an estimated 3 million saunas serving a population of approximately 5.6 million people.
- The nation has one of the world's highest rates of internet connectivity, with 93.72% of the population accessing the web according to recent estimates.
Geography
- Highest Point
- Halti (1,328 m)
- Lowest Point
- Baltic Sea (0 m)
- Coastline
- 1,250 km
Major Cities
Largest Cities in FinlandExplore weather and climate data for cities in Finland
Climate & Weather
View full climate guideMonthly averages for Helsinki
| Month | Temp | Feels Like | Rain | Sun | Humidity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0°C / -5°C | -5°C / -10°C | 15days (72 mm) Wet | 1.5h Poor | 90% Very Muggy | Poor | View Details |
| February | -1°C / -5°C | -5°C / -10°C | 10days (54 mm) Wet | 3.7h Poor | 87% Very Muggy | Poor | View Details |
| March | 3°C / -3°C | -1°C / -7°C | 9days (40 mm) Wet | 7.3h Good | 81% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| April | 8°C / 1°C | 4°C / -4°C | 9days (47 mm) Wet | 10.7h Excellent | 71% Muggy | Poor | View Details |
| May | 14°C / 6°C | 12°C / 3°C | 9days (47 mm) Wet | 13.7h Excellent | 65% Muggy | Fair | View Details |
| June best | 21°C / 12°C | 19°C / 11°C | 10days (61 mm) Wet | 15h Excellent | 68% Muggy | Good | View Details |
| July best | 22°C / 14°C | 21°C / 14°C | 15days (97 mm) Wet | 14.3h Excellent | 75% Muggy | Good | View Details |
| August best | 20°C / 13°C | 20°C / 12°C | 14days (88 mm) Wet | 11.5h Excellent | 80% Humid | Excellent | View Details |
| September best | 16°C / 10°C | 14°C / 8°C | 10days (64 mm) Wet | 8.4h Good | 84% Humid | Good | View Details |
| October | 10°C / 5°C | 7°C / 2°C | 13days (66 mm) Wet | 5h Fair | 87% Very Muggy | Poor | View Details |
| November | 5°C / 1°C | 1°C / -3°C | 13days (60 mm) Wet | 1.9h Poor | 91% Very Muggy | Poor | View Details |
| December | 0°C / -4°C | -4°C / -8°C | 13days (58 mm) Wet | 1h Poor | 90% Very Muggy | Poor | View Details |
Temperature
Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 0°C / -5°C . Feb: -1°C / -5°C . Mar: 3°C / -3°C . Apr: 8°C / 1°C . May: 14°C / 6°C . Jun: 21°C / 12°C . Jul: 22°C / 14°C . Aug: 20°C / 13°C . Sep: 16°C / 10°C . Oct: 10°C / 5°C . Nov: 5°C / 1°C . Dec: 0°C / -4°C .
Rainfall
Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 72 mm. Feb: 54 mm. Mar: 40 mm. Apr: 47 mm. May: 47 mm. Jun: 61 mm. Jul: 97 mm. Aug: 88 mm. Sep: 64 mm. Oct: 66 mm. Nov: 60 mm. Dec: 58 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The population of Finland is approximately 5.7M (2024).
The capital of Finland is Helsinki.
Finland's GDP per capita is $53.6K (2024).
Life expectancy in Finland is 82.34 years (2024).
Finland covers 338,455 km² (130,678 sq mi).
Finland is sparsely populated, averaging 17 people per km², below the global average of 60.
Finland's population is growing steadily at 0.6% per year, in line with global averages.
Yes — based on GDP per capita, Finland falls in the high GDP-per-person tier at $53.6K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.
Finland reports a very low intentional homicide rate of 1.0 per 100,000 people — among the safest in the world by this measure.
Finland has 2 official languages: Finnish, Swedish.
Finland uses the euro (€) as its sole official currency.
The best months to visit Finland are June, July, August, September, based on climate data for the capital.
Current estimates show that the population of Finland is approximately 5.7 million people. This reflects a modest annual growth rate of 0.6% and places the country at a rank of 116 globally for total population size. Regionally, it holds the 23rd position among 47 European nations and is the 4th most populous in Northern Europe.
Finland is a high-income nation with a projected GDP per capita of approximately $53,600. The country's total GDP stands at approximately $299 billion, which places it at a rank of 47 globally and 19 in Europe. According to the latest ranking, its GDP per capita is the 29th highest in the world.
Approximately 93.7% of the Finnish population are internet users, making it one of the most digitally connected nations in the world. This high rate of connectivity ranks Finland 40th globally. The widespread access to high-speed internet supports the country's advanced technology sector and highly efficient digital public services.
The latest available data shows that the unemployment rate in Finland is 9.5%. According to global rankings for the lowest unemployment rates, Finland holds the 40th position among 186 nations. Despite a highly skilled workforce, the labor market faces ongoing shifts in the industrial and technology sectors as the economy adapts to modern digital trends.
Finland covers a total area of 338,455 km² (130,678 sq mi) with a current population density of 18.7 people per km² (48.4 sq mi). This makes it one of the most sparsely populated countries in Europe. Most residents live in urban areas, which currently account for 74.3% of the total population, primarily in the south.
The latest ranking places Finland at global rank 116 of 215 countries for total population. According to official data, it stands at 23 of 47 in the European region and 4 of 12 in Northern Europe. These rankings reflect Finland's status as a moderately sized nation with a stable population base.
Current estimates show a population density of 18.7 people per km² (48.4 per sq mi), ranking Finland 188 of 215 globally. This low density is primarily due to the vast, uninhabited forest and lake regions in the north. Most of the country's residents are concentrated in southern urban coastal areas.
Recent data indicates a fertility rate of 1.25 births per woman, which is global rank 190 of 215. This is significantly below the replacement level of 2.1 required for a stable population without migration. The low birth rate is a major demographic focus for the Finnish government and long-term planning.
The urban population percentage is 74.3%, which places Finland at global rank 75 of 215. This high level of urbanization is centered around major hubs like Helsinki, Tampere, and Turku. The concentration of residents in cities reflects the nation's advanced service economy and the rural-to-urban migration seen historically.
All Indicators
Explore Finland's data across 50+ indicators
Demographics
Economy
Health
Education
Environment
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Infrastructure
Geography
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