Finland

Finland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden from the 12th to the 19th centuries and an autonomous grand duchy of Russia after 1809. It gained complete independence in 1917. During World War II, Finland successfully defended its independence through cooperation with Germany and resisted subsequent invasions by the Soviet Union, albeit with some loss of territory. During the next half-century, Finland transformed from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy; per-capita income is among the highest in Western Europe. A member of the EU since 1995, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro single currency at its initiation in January 1999. In the 21st century, the key features of Finland’s modern welfare state are high-quality education, promotion of equality, and a national social welfare system, although the system is currently facing the challenges of an aging population and the fluctuations of an export-driven economy. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Finland opted to join NATO; it became the organization’s 31st member in April 2023.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes

Geography

Location

Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia

Geographic coordinates

64 00 N, 26 00 E

Map references

Europe

Area

total : 338,145 sq km

land: 303,815 sq km

water: 34,330 sq km

comparison ranking: total 66

Area – comparative

slightly more than two times the size of Georgia; slightly smaller than Montana

Area comparison map:

Land boundaries

total: 2,563 km

border countries (3): Norway 709 km; Sweden 545 km; Russia 1,309 km

Coastline

1,250 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm (in the Gulf of Finland – 3 nm)

contiguous zone: 24 nm

continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm; extends to continental shelf boundary with Sweden, Estonia, and Russia

Climate

cold temperate; potentially subarctic but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes

Terrain

mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills

Elevation

highest point: Halti (alternatively Haltia, Haltitunturi, Haltiatunturi) 1,328 m

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 164 m

Natural resources

timber, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, nickel, gold, silver, limestone

Land use

agricultural land: 7.5% (2022 est.)

arable land: 7.4% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 0.1% (2022 est.)

forest: 73.7% (2022 est.)

other: 18.8% (2022 est.)

Irrigated land

80 sq km (2016)

Major lakes (area sq km)

fresh water lake(s): Saimaa – 1,760 sq km; Paijanne – 1,090 sq km; Inarijarvi – 1,000 sq km; Oulujarvi – 900 sq km; Pielinen – 850 sq km

Population distribution

the vast majority of people are found in the south; the northern interior areas remain sparsely populated

Natural hazards

severe winters in the north

Geography – note

long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain

People and Society

Population

total: 5,626,414 (2024 est.)

male: 2,773,656

female: 2,852,758

comparison rankings: total 118; female 118; male 119

Nationality

noun: Finn(s)

adjective: Finnish

Ethnic groups

Finnish, Swedish, Russian, Estonian, Romani, Sami

note: 90.9% of the population has a Finnish background (2022 est.)

Languages

Finnish (official) 85.9%, Swedish (official) 5.2%, Russian 1.7%, other 7.2% (2022 est.)

major-language sample(s):
World Factbook, korvaamaton perustietolähde. (Finnish)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Finnish audio sample:

Religions

Lutheran 66.6%, Greek Orthodox 1.1%, other 1.7%, none 30.6% (2022 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 16.2% (male 464,939/female 444,585)

15-64 years: 60.3% (male 1,725,072/female 1,668,604)

65 years and over: 23.5% (2024 est.) (male 583,645/female 739,569)

2024 population pyramid:

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 62.4 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 23.8 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 38.5 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 2.6 (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 43.3 years (2024 est.)

male: 41.8 years

female: 44.9 years

comparison ranking: total 36

Population growth rate

0.2% (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 178

Birth rate

10.2 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 184

Death rate

10.4 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 30

Net migration rate

2.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 47

Population distribution

the vast majority of people are found in the south; the northern interior areas remain sparsely populated

Urbanization

urban population: 85.8% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.42% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas – population

1.338 million HELSINKI (capital) (2023)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Mother’s mean age at first birth

29.5 years (2020 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

8 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

comparison ranking: 152

Infant mortality rate

total: 2.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 2.3 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 1.9 deaths/1,000 live births

comparison ranking: total 221

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 82.2 years (2024 est.)

male: 79.3 years

female: 85.2 years

comparison ranking: total population 31

Total fertility rate

1.74 children born/woman (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 150

Gross reproduction rate

0.85 (2024 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

85.5% (2015)

note: percent of women aged 18-49

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

Health expenditure

10.2% of GDP (2021)

14.8% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

3.61 physicians/1,000 population (2021)

Hospital bed density

2.8 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved:

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

22.2% (2016)

comparison ranking: 80

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 8.23 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 3.76 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 1.59 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 1.96 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0.91 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

comparison ranking: total 41

Tobacco use

total: 18% (2025 est.)

male: 21.7% (2025 est.)

female: 14.3% (2025 est.)

comparison ranking: total 85

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

57.2% (2023 est.)

Child marriage

women married by age 18: 0.1% (2017)

Education expenditure

6.5% of GDP (2021 est.)

10.2% national budget (2021 est.)

comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 25

Literacy

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 19 years

male: 18 years

female: 20 years (2020)

Environment

Environment – current issues

limited air pollution in urban centers; some water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations

Environment – international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Climate

cold temperate; potentially subarctic but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes

Land use

Urbanization

urban population: 85.8% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.42% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Air pollutants

particulate matter emissions: 5.47 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 45.87 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 4.46 megatons (2020 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 2.738 million tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 769,926 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 28.1% (2015 est.)

Major lakes (area sq km)

fresh water lake(s): Saimaa – 1,760 sq km; Paijanne – 1,090 sq km; Inarijarvi – 1,000 sq km; Oulujarvi – 900 sq km; Pielinen – 850 sq km

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 1 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 2 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural: 500 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Total renewable water resources

110 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Geoparks

total global geoparks and regional networks: 4 (2024)

global geoparks and regional networks: Impact Crater Lake – Lappajarvi; Rokua; Lauhanvuori-Haemeenkangas; Saimaa; Salpausselka (2024)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Finland

conventional short form: Finland

local long form: Suomen tasavalta (Finnish)/ Republiken Finland (Swedish)

local short form: Suomi (Finnish)/ Finland (Swedish)

etymology: name derives from the Finns, an ethnic group in northeastern Europe; their name comes from the Germanic word finna, meaning “fish scale;” the local name, Suomi, may come from two local words: suo, meaning “marsh,” and maa, meaning “land”

Government type

parliamentary republic

Capital

name: Helsinki

geographic coordinates: 60 10 N, 24 56 E

time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

etymology: the modern name is a Finnish derivation; King Gustav VASA of Sweden founded the city in 1550 as Helsingfors; the name came from Helsing, the Old Norwegian name for a local people, and the word fors, or “waterfall,” referring to a waterfall at the city’s original location on the Vantaa River

Administrative divisions

19 regions (maakunnat, singular – maakunta (Finnish); landskapen, singular – landskapet (Swedish)); Aland (Swedish), Ahvenanmaa (Finnish); Etela-Karjala (Finnish), Sodra Karelen (Swedish) [South Karelia]; Etela-Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Sodra Osterbotten (Swedish) [South Ostrobothnia]; Etela-Savo (Finnish), Sodra Savolax (Swedish) [South Savo]; Kanta-Hame (Finnish), Egentliga Tavastland (Swedish); Kainuu (Finnish), Kajanaland (Swedish); Keski-Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Mellersta Osterbotten (Swedish) [Central Ostrobothnia]; Keski-Suomi (Finnish), Mellersta Finland (Swedish) [Central Finland]; Kymenlaakso (Finnish), Kymmenedalen (Swedish); Lappi (Finnish), Lappland (Swedish); Paijat-Hame (Finnish), Paijanne-Tavastland (Swedish); Pirkanmaa (Finnish), Birkaland (Swedish) [Tampere]; Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Osterbotten (Swedish) [Ostrobothnia]; Pohjois-Karjala (Finnish), Norra Karelen (Swedish) [North Karelia]; Pohjois-Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Norra Osterbotten (Swedish) [North Ostrobothnia]; Pohjois-Savo (Finnish), Norra Savolax (Swedish) [North Savo]; Satakunta (Finnish and Swedish); Uusimaa (Finnish), Nyland (Swedish) [Newland]; Varsinais-Suomi (Finnish), Egentliga Finland (Swedish) [Southwest Finland]

Legal system

civil law system based on the Swedish model

Constitution

history: previous 1906, 1919; latest drafted 17 June 1997, approved by Parliament 11 June 1999, entered into force 1 March 2000

amendment process: proposed by Parliament; passage normally requires simple majority vote in two readings in the first parliamentary session and at least two-thirds majority vote in a single reading by the newly elected Parliament; proposals declared “urgent” by five-sixths of Parliament members can be passed by at least two-thirds majority vote in the first parliamentary session only

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Finland

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 6 years

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Alexander STUBB (since 1 March 2024)

head of government: Prime Minister Petteri ORPO (since 20 June 2023)

cabinet: Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to Parliament

election/appointment process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 6-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by Parliament

most recent election date: 28 January 2024, with a runoff on 11 February 2024

election results:
2024: Alexander STUBB elected in the second round; percent of vote in the first round – Alexander STUBB (KoK) 27.2%, Pekka HAAVISTO (Vihr) 25.8%, Jussi HALLA-AHO (PS) 19.0%, Olli REHN (Kesk) 15.3%; percent of vote in second round – STUBB 51.6%, HAAVISTO 48.4%

2018: Sauli NIINISTO reelected president; percent of vote – Sauli NIINISTO (independent) 62.7%, Pekka HAAVISTO (Vihr) 12.4%, Laura HUHTASAARI (PS) 6.9%, Paavo VAYRYNEN (independent) 6.2%, Matti VANHANEN (Kesk) 4.1%, other 7.7%

expected date of next election: by 28 January 2030

Legislative branch

legislature name: Parliament (Eduskunta – Riksdagen)

legislative structure: unicameral

number of seats: 200 (all directly elected)

electoral system: proportional representation

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 4 years

most recent election date: 4/2/2023

parties elected and seats per party: National Coalition Party (KOK) (48); The Finns Party (PS) (46); Social Democratic Party (SDP) (43); Center Party (KESK) (23); The Greens (13); Left Alliance (Vas) (11); Other (16)

percentage of women in chamber: 45.5%

expected date of next election: April 2027

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (consists of the court president and 18 judges); Supreme Administrative Court (consists of 21 judges, including the court president; organized into 3 chambers)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court and Supreme Administrative Court judges appointed by the president of the republic; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 68

subordinate courts: 6 Courts of Appeal; 8 regional administrative courts; 27 district courts; special courts for issues relating to markets, labor, insurance, impeachment, land, tenancy, and water rights

note: Finland has a dual judicial system; courts with civil and criminal jurisdiction, and administrative courts with jurisdiction for litigation between individuals and administrative organs of the state and communities

Political parties

Aland Coalition (a coalition of several political parties on the Aland Islands)
Center Party or Kesk
Christian Democrats or KD
Finns Party or PS
Green League or Vihr
Left Alliance or Vas
Movement Now or Liike Nyt
National Coalition Party or Kok
Social Democratic Party or SDP
Swedish People’s Party or RKP or SFP

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Leena-Kaisa MIKKOLA (since 18 September 2024)

chancery: 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 298-5800

FAX: [1] (202) 298-6030

email address and website:
[email protected]

https://finlandabroad.fi/web/usa/mission

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Christopher KRAFFT (since September 2024)

embassy: Itainen Puistotie 14 B, 00140 Helsinki

mailing address: 5310 Helsinki Place, Washington DC 20521-5310

telephone: [358] (9) 616-250

FAX: [358] (9) 174-681

email address and website:
[email protected]

https://fi.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UNSOM, UNTSO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Independence

6 December 1917 (from Russia)

National holiday

Independence Day, 6 December (1917)

Flag description

white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the blue stands for the country’s thousands of lakes, and the white for snow

National symbol(s)

lion

National color(s)

blue, white

National anthem

name: “Maamme” (Our Land)

lyrics/music: Johan Ludvig RUNEBERG/Fredrik PACIUS

note: in use since 1848; although never officially adopted by law, the anthem has been popular since it was first sung by a student group in 1848; Estonia’s anthem uses the same melody as that of Finland

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 7 (6 cultural, 1 natural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Fortress of Suomenlinna (c); Old Rauma (c); Petäjävesi Old Church (c); Verla Groundwood and Board Mill (c); Bronze Age Burial Site of Sammallahdenmäki (c); High Coast / Kvarken Archipelago (n); Struve Geodetic Arc (c)

Economy

Economic overview

high-income, export-based EU and eurozone economy; major timber, metals, engineering, telecom, and electronics industries; emerging from recession triggered by inflation, weak consumer and export demand, and lower private investment; labor market reform plan to address structural rigidities

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$318.638 billion (2023 est.)
$322.39 billion (2022 est.)
$317.782 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 59

Real GDP growth rate

-1.16% (2023 est.)
1.45% (2022 est.)
2.84% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 202

Real GDP per capita

$57,100 (2023 est.)
$58,000 (2022 est.)
$57,400 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 32

GDP (official exchange rate)

$295.532 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.6% (2024 est.)
6.3% (2023 est.)
7.1% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

comparison ranking: 45

GDP – composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 2.3% (2023 est.)

industry: 23.9% (2023 est.)

services: 61.4% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

comparison rankings: services 80; industry 107; agriculture 150

GDP – composition, by end use

household consumption: 53.3% (2023 est.)

government consumption: 25.6% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 23.2% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories: -0.3% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services: 42.8% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services: -42.5% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products

milk, barley, oats, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, pork, chicken, peas, rye (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries

metals and metal products, electronics, machinery and scientific instruments, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing

Industrial production growth rate

-2.04% (2023 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 181

Labor force

2.876 million (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

comparison ranking: 114

Unemployment rate

8.3% (2024 est.)
7.2% (2023 est.)
6.7% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

comparison ranking: 146

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 19.2% (2024 est.)

male: 20% (2024 est.)

female: 18.3% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

comparison ranking: total 64

Population below poverty line

12.2% (2022 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income

27.7 (2021 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

comparison ranking: 140

Average household expenditures

on food: 12.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

on alcohol and tobacco: 4.4% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.8% (2021 est.)

highest 10%: 22.9% (2021 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Remittances

0.23% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.24% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.23% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget

revenues: $105.182 billion (2022 est.)

expenditures: $106.991 billion (2022 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Public debt

61.3% of GDP (2017 est.)

note: data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions

comparison ranking: 80

Taxes and other revenues

25.3% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

comparison ranking: 42

Current account balance

$930.393 million (2024 est.)
-$1.58 billion (2023 est.)
-$7.026 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

comparison ranking: 57

Exports

$124.531 billion (2024 est.)
$127.098 billion (2023 est.)
$129.389 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 43

Exports – partners

USA 11%, Germany 11%, Sweden 10%, Netherlands 7%, China 5% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports – commodities

paper, refined petroleum, steel, wood pulp, ships (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

$122.644 billion (2024 est.)
$126.175 billion (2023 est.)
$135.119 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 43

Imports – partners

Germany 14%, Sweden 12%, China 9%, Norway 8%, Netherlands 5% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports – commodities

crude petroleum, cars, refined petroleum, packaged medicine, broadcasting equipment (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$14.322 billion (2024 est.)
$16.929 billion (2023 est.)
$16.036 billion (2022 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

comparison ranking: 65

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar –

Exchange rates:
0.924 (2024 est.)
0.925 (2023 est.)
0.95 (2022 est.)
0.845 (2021 est.)
0.876 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 26.782 million kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 77.419 billion kWh (2023 est.)

exports: 7.883 billion kWh (2023 est.)

imports: 9.644 billion kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 2.721 billion kWh (2023 est.)

comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 136; imports 27; exports 29; consumption 41; installed generating capacity 41

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 5.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

nuclear: 41.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar: 0.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind: 18.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity: 19.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

biomass and waste: 13.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Nuclear energy

Number of operational nuclear reactors: 5 (2025)

Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 4.37GW (2025 est.)

Percent of total electricity production: 42% (2025 est.)

Coal

production: 811,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

consumption: 3.933 million metric tons (2023 est.)

exports: 113,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports: 2.624 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production: 8,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 172,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)

Natural gas

consumption: 1.55 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

exports: 479.457 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

imports: 2.112 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

33.594 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 7.536 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 23.069 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 2.989 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total emissions 69

Energy consumption per capita

183.54 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 21

Communications

Telephones – fixed lines

total subscriptions: 158,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 124

Telephones – mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 7.14 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 129 (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 112

Broadcast media

3 publicly operated TV stations and numerous privately owned TV stations; several free and special-interest pay-TV channels; cable and satellite multi-channel subscription services are available; all TV signals are digital; 13 national and 25 regional public radio stations; a large number of private radio broadcasters

Internet country code

.fi

note – Aland Islands assigned .ax

Internet users

percent of population: 94% (2023 est.)

Broadband – fixed subscriptions

total: 1.98 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total 62

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports

98 (2025)

comparison ranking: 56

Heliports

17 (2025)

comparison ranking: 56

Railways

total: 5,918 km (2020) 3,349 km electrified

Merchant marine

total: 282 (2023)

by type: bulk carrier 9, general cargo 75, oil tanker 4, other 194

comparison ranking: total 57

Ports

total ports: 37 (2024)

large: 5

medium: 7

small: 11

very small: 14

ports with oil terminals: 21

key ports: Helsinki, Kaskinen, Kokkola, Kotka, Kristinestad, Mantyluoto, Oulu, Pietarsaari, Pori, Rauma, Turku, Vaasa

Military and Security

Military and security forces

Finnish Defense Forces (FDF; Puolustusvoimat): Army (Maavoimat), Navy (Merivoimat), Air Force (Ilmavoimat) (2025)

note: the Border Guard (Rajavartiolaitos) and National Police are under the Ministry of the Interior; the Border Guard becomes part of the FDF in wartime

Military expenditures

2.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
2.45% of GDP (2023)
2% of GDP (2022)
1.9% of GDP (2021)
1.5% of GDP (2020)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 31,000 active Finnish Defense Forces (23,000 Army; 5,000 Navy; 3,000 Air Force) (2024)

note: active-duty figures include about 21,000 conscripts carrying out their obligated military service (approximately 17,000 Army; 3,500 Navy; 1,000 Air Force)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the military’s inventory consists of a wide mix of modern US, European, Israeli, South Korean, and domestically produced weapons systems; the Finnish defense industry produces a variety of military equipment, including wheeled armored vehicles and naval vessels; Finland also cooperates with other European countries and the US in the joint production of arms (2024)

Military service age and obligation

all Finnish men are obligated to serve 5.5-12 months of service within a branch of the military or the Border Guard upon reaching the age of 18 (length of service depends on the type of duty); women 18-29 may volunteer for service; there is also an option to perform non-military service which lasts for 8.5 or 11.5 months; after completing their initial conscript obligation, individuals enter the reserves and remain eligible for mobilization until the age of 50 for rank-and-file and 60 for non-commissioned and commissioned officers (2025)

note 1: Finland has had conscription since 1951; each year, the military inducts and active-duty units train approximately 21,000 conscripts; the resulting pool of trained reservists gives the FDF a wartime strength of approximately 280,000 and a total reserve of some 900,000 citizens with military service

note 2: women have served on a voluntary basis since 1995, and as of 2022 made up about 19% of the military’s full-time personnel

Military deployments

165 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (2024)

Military – note

the Finnish Defense Forces (FDF) are focused primarily on territorial defense, which is based on having a large, trained reserve force created by general conscription; other FDF responsibilities include support to international peacekeeping operations and some domestic security duties, such as assisting the National Police in maintaining law and order in crises

the FDF is also focused on fulfilling its commitment to NATO; following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Finland applied for NATO membership, gaining entry in April 2023; Finland had been part of NATO’s Partnership for Peace program since 1994 and participated in NATO-led military missions in the Balkans, Afghanistan, and Iraq; in 2024, it joined NATO’s Air Policing mission in Eastern Europe

Finland is a signatory of the EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy and actively participates in EU crisis management missions and operations; the FDF also cooperates closely with the militaries of other Nordic countries through the Nordic Defense Cooperation structure (NORDEFCO; established 2009), which consists of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden and involves cooperation in such areas as armaments, education, human resources, training and exercises, and operations; Sweden, the UK, and the US are close bi-lateral defense partners; in 2022, Finland signed a mutual security agreement with the UK, and since 2014 has been part of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, a pool of high-readiness military forces from 10 Baltic and Scandinavian countries designed to respond to a wide range of contingencies in the North Atlantic, Baltic Sea, and High North regions (2025)