People and Society of Finland

Nationality

Finn(s)

Ethnic Groups

Finn 93%, Swede 6%, Sami 0.11%, Roma 0.12%, Tatar 0.02%

Population

5,626,414

Population in Major Urban Areas

HELSINKI (capital) 1.134 million

In Finland, medical facilities and staff are generally excellent and widely available for emergency services. English is commonly spoken by Finnish medical personnel. Helsinki is a frequent medical evacuation point for emergency cases from the countries of the former Soviet Union. The public hospital system and many private hospitals honor foreign credit cards. Most pharmacies (apteekki in Finnish) are open during normal shopping hours and major cities have at least one 24-hour service pharmacy. If you are a tourist or temporary visitor to Finland and you require immediate emergency medical assistance, you may visit a local medical center, clinic, or first-aid station (ensiapuasema in Finnish). Usually these stations are located at hospitals and will provide a full range of services. The emergency telephone number, 112, can be used throughout Finland to contact emergency medical services. Travelers with special medical needs should consult with their personal physicians and take appropriate precautions, including bringing adequate supplies of necessary medication. Medicines may be brought into the country as long as they are intended for the traveler’s personal use; however, there are special requirements concerning the quantity. Finland allows travelers from the European Economic Area to bring personal prescription medicines (up to a one year supply) without a customs declaration. All others may bring a 90-day supply of personal prescription drugs to Finland. A formal doctor's note may be requested by Finnish customs officials. Prescribed narcotics are more highly restricted, however, and may only be brought into the country for the traveler’s personal use for a maximum of 14 days and must be accompanied by a medical certificate stating why the traveler needs them. In addition, stringent Finnish customs regulations prohibit travelers from receiving drugs from abroad after having arrived in the country. Travelers may also find local physicians reluctant to prescribe equivalent quantities of dosages. For more detailed information, please visit the Finnish National Tourist Board website or contact the Embassy of Finland.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Finland consistently ranks among the top countries in the world for life expectancy, reflecting the nation's strong public health infrastructure, high standard of living, and comprehensive social welfare system. As of the most recent available data, the average life expectancy at birth in Finland is approximately 82 years overall, with women living to around 84–85 years and men to approximately 79–80 years. This gender gap, while notable, has been narrowing steadily over recent decades due to sustained improvements in men's health outcomes. Several factors contribute to Finland's impressive longevity statistics. The country operates a universal healthcare system that provides residents with access to preventive care, early disease detection, and high-quality medical treatment regardless of income. Finland also invests heavily in public health education and has made significant strides in reducing cardiovascular disease, which was historically one of the leading causes of premature death among Finnish men during the mid-20th century. Targeted public health campaigns beginning in the 1970s — most notably the North Karelia Project — dramatically reduced smoking rates and improved dietary habits, contributing to a sharp and sustained decline in heart disease mortality over subsequent decades. Finland's relatively low rates of poverty, strong environmental protections, clean air and water, and a culture that values physical activity — including widespread participation in outdoor pursuits such as Nordic skiing, hiking, and swimming — all play important roles in supporting longer, healthier lives. The country also maintains low levels of occupational hazards and has robust workplace safety regulations. Life expectancy in Finland has increased by more than 20 years since the mid-20th century and continues to trend upward, consistent with broader patterns seen across Nordic countries. While Finland faces some ongoing public health challenges — including alcohol consumption rates that have historically exceeded the European Union average, as well as mental health concerns among younger populations — continued policy efforts and a well-funded health system position the country to maintain and build upon its already strong longevity outcomes in the decades ahead.

Infant Mortality Rate

Finland maintains one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world, reflecting the country's exceptional healthcare infrastructure, high standard of living, and long-standing commitment to maternal and child health. As of the most recent available data, Finland's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 2 to 3 deaths per 1,000 live births, placing it consistently among the top-performing nations globally in this measure. This remarkable outcome is the result of decades of investment in public health services. Finland's universal healthcare system ensures that prenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and postnatal support are accessible to all residents regardless of income. The country's network of maternity clinics, known locally as neuvolat, has been a cornerstone of Finnish child health policy since the 1940s. These clinics provide free, regular health checkups for expectant mothers and newborns, monitoring development and addressing health concerns early. Finland also benefits from very high rates of hospital deliveries, nearly 100 percent, and a well-trained medical workforce. Neonatal intensive care capabilities are advanced, ensuring that premature and low-birth-weight infants receive timely and effective treatment. Socioeconomic factors further support these outcomes. Finland has low poverty rates, strong gender equality, high levels of maternal education, and generous parental leave policies that allow parents to focus on infant care during critical early months. The country also has very low rates of teenage pregnancy, which is statistically associated with higher infant health risks. Comparatively, Finland's infant mortality rate is significantly below the global average of approximately 27 deaths per 1,000 live births and even below the average for high-income countries. It consistently ranks alongside Iceland, Japan, Norway, and Singapore as countries with the safest environments for newborns. Finland's success in this area serves as a model for global health policy, demonstrating that a combination of universal healthcare access, preventive care infrastructure, and strong social support systems can virtually eliminate preventable infant deaths.

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

Education Culture

Education in Finland is free.

Learning

Education in Finland is free, and all children between the ages of seven and sixteen attend comprehensive school.  Parents may enroll their children in either a Finnish-language or a Swedish language school.  Languages, especially English, Russian, French, and German are important in the country's educational system.  Children study three foreign languages in comprehensive school.  Schools run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch is free, and some schools serve breakfast, too.  After nine years of comprehensive school, students attend high school for three years or vocational school for two or three years.  Students in vocational schools learn trade skills. All public schools provide religious and/or philosophical instruction. Students who did not wish to receive religious instruction may choose to study philosophy instead.  High school graduates who pass an entrance exam may continue their education by studying at one of Finland's universities.  On the last Saturday in May Finnish high school graduates receive certificates. All graduates wear white caps, and the young women also carry roses.

• Evangelical Lutheran89.0%
• None9.0%
• Russian Orthodox1.0%
• Other1.0%

Finnish 93.4% (official), Swedish 5.9% (official), small Sami- and Russian-speaking minorities

The Finnish people take great pride in their language.  Through the years they have resisted other nation's attempts to impose their language on them. Over 93% of the population speaks Finnish, a Finnish-Ugric language coming from a language family different from Scandinavian languages. It is closely related to Estonian. Finland recognizes Sami, the tongue of the indigenous minority Sami. English is popular as a second language. Swedish is the second official language, spoken by 6% of the population.  Finnish is a hard language to learn because the same word is used for "he" and "she" and the articles "a" and "the" are rarely used.

• Finnish
• Swedish

Crime Information

Although the crime rate in Finland is low compared to the United States and most European countries, it has increased in recent years. However, Finland remains relatively safe. U.S. citizens visiting Finland are seldom victims of crime, but visitors should not be complacent regarding personal safety or the protection of valuables. The same precautions employed in the United States should be followed in Finland. Finnish police services are excellent. Travelers should be aware that some police officers speak little English. Due to the low crime rate, Finland has fewer police officers than most European nations. Outside of key sites in major urban centers, police rarely project a visible presence; consequently, response times to crisis situations may take longer in rural areas. All forms of public transportation are considered safe. Street crimes, such as mugging and pick-pocketing, remain uncommon, but do occur. Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Finland, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States; for instance, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Finland, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not wherever you go. While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.