The Finnish population

In 2023, about 5.6 million people lived in Finland. Most of the population lives in or near cities. Northern Finland is the most sparsely populated area. Finland is home to people from many diverse backgrounds.

Most people in Finland speak Finnish, but many other languages are also spoken. Finnish minorities include, for example, Swedish-speaking Finns, Sámi, Roma, Jews, Tatars, Russian speakers and Karelian speakers.

Finland was once a poor country, and people emigrated to places like the United States and Sweden in search of a better life or work. Today, many people move to Finland to work or study, for family reasons, or as refugees.

Among the more recent population groups in Finland are Estonians, Somalis, Arabic-speaking populations, Kurds, Indians, and Ukrainians. According to Finnish law, all residents have the right to maintain and develop their own language and culture.

Majority of the Finnish population lives in urban areas

Over the millennia, Finland’s population has become a mix of people who have arrived from different directions. Before the rise of nationalism in the early 19th century, there was no concept of a unified Finnish nation. People living in different parts of the country primarily identified with their own locality or region. Even today, there are regional differences in dialects and customs across Finland.

The largest population group in present-day Finland consists of Finnish-speaking Finns. Most people living in Finland are Christians, and the majority belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

There are also many kinds of minorities living in Finland. Some minorities are united by language, others by culture, religion, or ethnic origin. According to the Finnish constitution, all minorities in Finland have the right to maintain and develop their own language and culture.

The native language of Finland Swedes is Swedish

Swedish-speaking Finns (Finland Swedes) are Finnish citizens whose native language is Swedish. In 2023, there were about 286,000 people in Finland who spoke Swedish as their first language. Most Swedish-speaking Finns live in Uusimaa, Ostrobothnia, Turku archipelago, and Åland island.

Historically, the Finnish and Swedish languages have coexisted in Finland for a long time. The territory of present-day Finland was part of Sweden for many centuries. This is why Finland has two national languages. Swedish-speaking Finns have their own linguistic and cultural identity, and there are Swedish-language schools, a military unit, a university, newspapers, radio stations, theatres, and organizations operating in Finland.

More information about Swedish-speaking population of Finland: Hejsan (svenskfinland.fi)  English, Finnish, and Swedish

The Sámi and Sámi speakers are the Indigenous people of the North

The Sámi are the only officially recognized Indigenous people in the European Union. Indigenous peoples are groups with deep cultural, historical, and spiritual connections to the territories and natural environments they have traditionally lived in. They have their own languages, customs, and traditions. As an indigenous people, the Sámi have the right to maintain and develop their languages and culture, as well as their traditional livelihoods in Finland. Traditional Sámi livelihoods include reindeer herding, fishing, hunting, gathering, and handicrafts. Today, most Sámi live in cities and work in professions common across Finland. In 2023, there were about 10,000 Sámi living in Finland.

In addition to Finland, Sámi people also live in Sweden, Norway, and Russia. They speak several different Sámi languages, of which three are used in Finland: Northern Sámi, Skolt Sámi, and Inari Sámi. Most modern Sámi are Christians, with the majority belonging to the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Skolt Sámi have traditionally been Orthodox Christians. 

The Sámi have linguistic and cultural self-government in the traditional Sámi territory, which includes certain municipalities or parts of municipalities in the northernmost part of Lapland. More than half of Finland’s Sámi population lives outside the traditional Sámi territory. 
The Sámi Parliament is the representative self-government body of the Sámi in Finland. Its main task is to implement the self-government guaranteed by the Constitution concerning Sámi language and culture, and to ensure the preservation and development of Sámi indigenous culture. According to the law, Finnish authorities must negotiate with the Sámi Parliament on measures that may affect the Sámi. 

The cultural, linguistic, and land ownership rights of the Sámi have not been fully realized in the past, which has caused significant suffering. The struggle for better realization of these rights continues to this day. 

More information about the Sámi: Sámi Parliament – Saamelaiskäräjät (samediggi.fi) Northern Sámi, Skolt Sámi, Inari Sámi, Finnish, and English

The Roma in Finland have a long history and a rich cultural heritage

As in many other European countries, Finland also has a Roma minority. The first Roma arrived in Finland about five hundred years ago. In 2023, there were an estimated 10,000–12,000 Roma living in Finland.

The native language of most Finnish Roma is Finnish, but about one-third speak the Romani language at least at a satisfactory level. Children can receive Romani language instruction in school. The language is related to Sanskrit and Hindi. Finnish Roma are Christians and usually belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church or Pentecostal congregations.

The Roma have their own rich cultural heritage, including Romani music, customs, traditional clothing, and historically also handicraft skills. Important aspects of Romani culture include respect for elders, community spirit, and family-centeredness. In the past, the lifestyle of Finnish Roma was nomadic. Today, most live in Finland’s largest cities.

Roma in Finland have faced significant discrimination and prejudice, for example in schools, employment, and housing. The status of the Roma as a historical linguistic and cultural minority in Finland has gradually improved.

More information about the Roma: The Roma (thl.fi) Finnish, Swedish, and English

Sign-language users have the right to interpreting services

Sign-language users are considered a linguistic minority in Finland. There are two national sign languages in use: Finnish Sign Language and Finland-Swedish Sign Language. Sign language users may be deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing. Approximately 5,500 people use Finnish Sign Language as their native language. If a sign language user needs an interpreter in various situations, they have a legal right to receive interpreting services free of charge.

More information about sign language users: The Finnish Association of the Deaf (kuurojenliitto.fi) Finnish and Swedish.

Tatars are the oldest Muslim Community in Finland

The Tatars are a Turkic people and Finland’s oldest Muslim community. The Tatars originally came to Finland from Russia at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, primarily as merchants. Today, there are an estimated 700 Tatars living in Finland. The native language of Finnish Tatars is Finnish, although some older Tatars also speak the Tatar language.

There is a small Jewish minority in Finland

Jews originally migrated to Finland from Russia in the 1830s. They have two congregations, one in Turku and one in Helsinki. In Helsinki, there is also a Jewish kindergarten and a co-educational school. In the 19th century, the native language of Finnish Jews was largely Yiddish, and later Swedish. Today, they speak Finnish and several other languages at home. There are an estimated 1,500 Jews living in Finland.

Karelian speakers were resettled across Finland after the war

Karelian is the closest related language to Finnish. According to various estimates, there are between 5,000 and 11,000 people in Finland who speak Karelian. After World War II, Karelian speakers were resettled throughout Finland when their native regions became part of the Soviet Union because of the war. Today, Karelian is spoken in both Finland and Russia. Karelian speakers are generally Orthodox Christians.

Russians and Russian speakers are a diverse population group

At various points in history, Russians and Russian speakers have migrated to Finland. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 significantly increased migration, and many Russians and Russian speakers moved to Finland for work, studies, or family reasons.

The Russian-speaking population in Finland has always been diverse. Some are Ingrian Finns or their family members, while others are Estonians, Ukrainians, or people of other backgrounds who are not Russian citizens. In 2023, there were nearly 100,000 Russian speakers living in Finland.

Estonians and Estonian speakers have moved to Finland for family reasons and work

In 2023, there were about 50,000 Estonian speakers living in Finland. The Estonian language is related to Finnish, and someone who speaks Finnish can understand some Estonian, and vice versa. Estonian speakers moved to Finland after the collapse of the Soviet Union, mainly for family reasons and as Ingrian Finns. Since Estonia joined the European Union in 2004, many Estonians have moved to Finland for work. Many Estonians also work in Finland while living permanently in Estonia, and they may work in both Finland and Estonia. In addition, people have moved from Estonia to study in Finland both before and after Estonia's EU membership.

Migration from different parts of the world is making population of Finland more diverse

Numerous newer ethnic, linguistic, religious, and cultural minority groups have also emerged in Finland. Among the larger groups from outside Europe are Somalis, Chinese, Iraqis, and Indians. Many Arabic speakers from various countries live in Finland, and all the world’s major religions are now present in the country.