Background: 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.

Area
Total: 338,145 km²
Land: 303,815 km²
Water: 34,330 km²
Comparative: slightly more than two times the size of Georgia; slightly smaller than Montana

Land boundaries
Total: 2,563 km
Border countries (3): (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

Land use
Agricultural land: 7.4% (2023 est.)
Arable land: 7.4% (2023 est.)
Permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.)
Permanent pasture: 0% (2023 est.)
Forest: 74.2% (2023 est.)
Other: 18.4% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land: 80 km² (2016)

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

Population
Total: 5,626,414 (2024 est.)
Male: 2,773,656
Female: 2,852,758
Distribution: the vast majority of people are found in the south; the northern interior areas remain sparsely populated
Growth rate: 0.2% (2024 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.

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)

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

Population growth rate: 0.2% (2024 est.)

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

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

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.)

Maternal mortality ratio: 8 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

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

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 82.2 years (2024 est.)
Male: 79.3 years
Female: 85.2 years

Total fertility rate: 1.74 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Drinking water source
Urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access
Urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Youth unemployment
Rate (ages 15-24): 8.3% (2024 est.); 7.2% (2023 est.); 6.8% (2022 est.)
Rate (ages 15-24) note: % of labor force seeking employment

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

International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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
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 2,030

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 2,027

Flag description: white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the cross is shifted to the left in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

National anthem
Title: 'Maamme' (Our Land)
Lyrics/music: Paavo Eemil KAJANDER, Johan Ludvig RUNEBERG/Fredrik PACIUS
History: in use since 1848; although never officially adopted, the anthem has been popular since a student group first sang it in 1848

National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites: 7 (6 cultural, 1 natural)
Selected World Heritage Site locales:

Real gdp growth rate: -0.2% (2024 est.); -0.9% (2023 est.); 0.8% (2022 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real gdp per capita: -0.2% (2024 est.); -0.9% (2023 est.); 0.8% (2022 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Gdp composition by end use
Household consumption: 53.4% (2023 est.)
Government consumption: 25.6% (2023 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 23.4% (2023 est.)
Investment in inventories: -0.4% (2023 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 43.1% (2023 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -42.8% (2023 est.)
Note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture: 2.5% (2024 est.)
Industry: 22.1% (2024 est.)
Services: 62.9% (2024 est.)
Note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

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

Industrial production growth rate: -2.2% (2024 est.)
Note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Labor force: 2.898 million (2024 est.)
Note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Unemployment rate: 8.3% (2024 est.); 7.2% (2023 est.); 6.8% (2022 est.)
Note: % of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment
Rate (ages 15-24): 8.3% (2024 est.); 7.2% (2023 est.); 6.8% (2022 est.)
Rate (ages 15-24) note: % of labor force seeking employment

Budget
Revenues: $126.337 billion (2023 est.)
Expenditures: $131.978 billion (2023 est.)
Note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Taxes and other revenues: 25.4% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
Note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

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
Commodities: paper, refined petroleum, steel, wood pulp, ships (2023)
Commodities 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
Commodities: crude petroleum, cars, refined petroleum, packaged medicine, broadcasting equipment (2023)
Commodities note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

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.)
Access electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Generation sources fossil fuels: 5.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources nuclear: 41.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources solar: 0.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources wind: 18.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources hydroelectricity: 19.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources biomass and waste: 13.7% of total installed capacity (2023 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 CO&sub2; (2023 est.)
From coal and metallurgical coke: 7.536 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 23.069 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)
From consumed natural gas: 2.989 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita: 183.54 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Telephones
Fixed lines total subscriptions: 158,000 (2023 est.)
Fixed lines subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2023 est.)
Mobile cellular total subscriptions: 7.14 million (2023 est.)
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 129 (2022 est.)

Internet
Users percent of population: 94% (2023 est.)

Broadband fixed subscriptions
Total: 1.98 million (2023 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2023 est.)

Military expenditures: 2.8% of GDP (2025 est.); 2.4% of GDP (2024 est.); 2.1% of GDP (2023 est.); 1.7% of GDP (2022 est.); 1.4% of GDP (2021 est.)

Airports: 98 (2025)

Heliports: 17 (2025)

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