Editing Finland (section)

== Demographics ==
{{Main|Demographics of Finland}}
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|direction=row
|caption = Population by continent<br/>of origin (2024)<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2024-final">{{cite web |url= https://stat.fi/en/publication/cm1jg8tr20lco07vwvoif9s6i |title= Number of foreign-language speakers exceeded 600,000 during 2024 |date=4 April 2025 |series= Population structure |publisher= Statistics Finland |issn= 1797-5395 |access-date=4 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |website=Statistics Finland |url=https://stat.fi/meta/kas/syntypera_ja_ta_en.html |access-date=18 July 2024 |title=Concepts: Origin and background country |language=en}}</ref>
|label1 = Finland
|value1 = 88.9
|color1 = #003399
|label2 = Rest of Europe
|value2 = 5.5
|color2 = #0392cf
|label3 = Asia
|value3 = 3.8
|color3 = #ffbf00
|label4 = [[African diaspora in Finland|Africa]]
|value4 = 1.4
|color4 = #028900
|label5 = Americas
|value5 = 0.3
|color5 = #ee4035
|label6 = Ocenia
|value6 = 0.1
|color6 = #e86af0
}}

The population of Finland is approximately 5.6&nbsp;million. The [[birth rate]]  is 7.8 per 1,000 inhabitants, giving a [[Total fertility rate|fertility rate]] of 1.26 children born per [[Women in Finland|woman]],<ref name="immigration-record-high-in-finland-in-2023">{{Cite web | url=https://stat.fi/en/publication/clmixlq2e5fnt0bw60d4l2t7g | title=Immigration record high in Finland in 2023 | date=25 January 2024 | publisher=Statistics Finland | access-date=25 January 2024 | language=en | archive-date=25 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125063517/https://www.stat.fi/en/publication/clmixlq2e5fnt0bw60d4l2t7g | url-status=live }}</ref> one of the lowest in the world and well below the replacement rate of 2.1. In 1887, Finland recorded its highest rate, with 5.17 children born per woman.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/children-born-per-woman?year=1800&country=FIN|title=Total Fertility Rate around the world over the last centuries|first=Max|last=Roser|year=2014|work=[[Our World in Data]], [[Gapminder Foundation]]|access-date=7 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190205121631/https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/children-born-per-woman?year=1800&country=FIN|archive-date=5 February 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> Finland has one of the oldest populations in the world, with a median age of 44.0 years and 23.6% of the population aged 65 and over.<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2024-final"/> Finland has an average population density of 19 inhabitants per square kilometre.<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2024-final"/> This is the third lowest population density in Europe, after Norway and [[Iceland]], and the lowest in the European Union. Finland's population has always been concentrated in the southern parts of the country, a phenomenon that became more pronounced during the urbanisation of the 20th century. Three of Finland's four largest cities are located in the [[Helsinki Metropolitan Area]]: Helsinki, [[Espoo]] and [[Vantaa]].<ref>[http://www.kirkkonummensanomat.fi/neo/?app=NeoDirect&com=6/159/55218/ab3d2d5ebf Kirkkonummen Sanomat: Nurmijärvi – ilmiö voimistui heinäkuussa – Kirkkonummella väkiluvun kasvu 1,2 %] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930155959/http://www.kirkkonummensanomat.fi/neo/?app=NeoDirect&com=6/159/55218/ab3d2d5ebf |date=30 September 2020 }} {{in lang|fi}}.</ref> The city of [[Tampere]] is third after Helsinki and Espoo, and Vantaa is fourth. Other cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants are [[Turku]], [[Oulu]], [[Jyväskylä]], [[Kuopio]] and [[Lahti]].

[[Immigration to Finland|Finland's immigrant population]] is growing.<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2024-final"/> {{As of|2024}}, there were 623,949 people with a foreign background living in Finland (11.1% of the population), most of them from the former Soviet Union, Estonia, Iraq, Somalia, Ukraine, China and India.<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2024-final"/> The children of foreigners are not automatically granted Finnish citizenship, as Finnish citizenship law maintains a policy of ''[[jus sanguinis]]'', whereby only children born to at least one Finnish parent are granted citizenship.  If they are born in Finland and cannot obtain citizenship of another country, they become Finnish citizens.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Child born in Finland |publisher=Finnish Immigration Service |access-date=25 April 2021 |url=https://migri.fi/en/child-born-in-finland |language=en |archive-date=5 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505223359/https://migri.fi/en/child-born-in-finland |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, certain people of Finnish descent living in countries that were once part of the Soviet Union retain the [[Right of return#Finland|right of return]], i.e. the right to establish permanent residence in the country, which would eventually entitle them to citizenship.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.migri.fi/netcomm/content.asp?path=8,2475 |title=Finnish Directorate of Immigration |date=10 November 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110122502/http://www.migri.fi/netcomm/content.asp?path=8,2475 |archive-date=10 November 2011 }}</ref> {{As of|2024}}, 10.3% of the Finnish population were foreign born. As a result of recent immigration, the country has significant populations of ethnic [[Estonians in Finland|Estonians]], [[Russians in Finland|Russians]], [[Ukrainians in Finland|Ukrainians]], [[Iraqis in Finland|Iraqis]], [[Chinese people in Finland|Chinese]], [[Somalis in Finland|Somalis]], [[Filipinos in Finland|Filipinos]], [[Indians in Finland|Indians]] and [[Finnish Iranians|Iranians]].<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2024-final"/>

Finland's national minorities include the Sami, the [[Romani people|Roma]], the [[Jews]] and the [[Tatars]]. The Roma of the [[Finnish Kale]] group settled in the country at the end of the 16th century.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://minorityrights.org/country/finland/|title=Finland - World Directory of Minorities & Indigenous Peoples|date=2 November 2023|access-date=4 January 2024|archive-date=4 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504090129/https://minorityrights.org/country/finland/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Language ===
{{Main|Finnish language|Finland Swedish|Languages of Finland}}
{{See also|List of municipalities of Finland in which Finnish is not the sole official language}}

[[File:Languages of Finnish municipalities (2016).svg|thumb|Municipalities of Finland: {{legend|#EEEEC1|unilingually Finnish}}{{legend|#37ABC8|bilingual with Finnish as majority language, Swedish as minority language}}{{legend|#0055D4|bilingual with Swedish as majority language, Finnish as minority language}}{{legend|#000080|unilingually Swedish}}{{legend|#800033|bilingual with Finnish as majority language, Sami as minority language}}]]

[[Finnish language|Finnish]] and [[Swedish language|Swedish]] are the official languages of Finland. Finnish predominates nationwide while Swedish is spoken in some coastal areas in the west and south (with towns such as [[Ekenäs, Finland|Ekenäs]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theculturetrip.com/europe/finland/articles/the-10-most-beautiful-towns-in-finland/|title=The 10 Most Beautiful Towns in Finland|first=Lani|last=Seelinger|website=Culture Trip|date=16 June 2015|access-date=23 April 2021|archive-date=23 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423195917/https://theculturetrip.com/europe/finland/articles/the-10-most-beautiful-towns-in-finland/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Pargas]],<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/18417-twice-a-minority-foreign-immigration-to-swedish-speaking-communities-in-finland.html|title=Twice a minority: foreign immigration to Swedish-speaking communities in Finland|website=helsinkitimes.fi|date=12 December 2020|access-date=23 April 2021|archive-date=9 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509230145/https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/18417-twice-a-minority-foreign-immigration-to-swedish-speaking-communities-in-finland.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Närpes]],<ref name="auto1"/> [[Kristinestad]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/themes/themes/travel/12675-discovering-swedish-speaking-municipalities-kristinestad.html|title=Discovering Swedish-speaking municipalities: Kristinestad|website=helsinkitimes.fi|date=8 November 2014|access-date=23 April 2021|archive-date=23 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423121854/https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/themes/themes/travel/12675-discovering-swedish-speaking-municipalities-kristinestad.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Jakobstad]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/themes/themes/travel/13124-discovering-swedish-speaking-municipalities-jakobstad.html|title=Discovering Swedish-speaking municipalities: Jakobstad|website=helsinkitimes.fi|date=8 January 2015|access-date=23 April 2021|archive-date=23 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423121854/https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/themes/themes/travel/13124-discovering-swedish-speaking-municipalities-jakobstad.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Nykarleby]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/themes/themes/travel/12953-discovering-swedish-speaking-municipalities-nykarleby.html|title=Discovering Swedish-speaking municipalities: Nykarleby|website=helsinkitimes.fi|date=4 December 2014|access-date=23 April 2021|archive-date=23 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423121854/https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/themes/themes/travel/12953-discovering-swedish-speaking-municipalities-nykarleby.html|url-status=live}}</ref>) and in the autonomous region of [[Åland]], which is the only monolingual Swedish-speaking region in Finland.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.norden.org/en/info-norden/swedish-language-courses-foreigners-aland|title=Swedish language courses for foreigners in Åland &#124; Nordic cooperation|website=norden.org|access-date=25 July 2020|archive-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726065442/https://www.norden.org/en/info-norden/swedish-language-courses-foreigners-aland|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2024}}, the [[native language]] of 84.1% of the population was Finnish,<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2024-final"/> which is part of the Finnic subgroup of the [[Uralic languages|Uralic language]]. The language is one of only four official [[Languages of the European Union|EU languages]] not of [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]] origin, and has no relation through descent to the other [[North Germanic languages|national languages]] of the [[Nordic countries|Nordics]]. Conversely, Finnish is closely related to [[Estonian language|Estonian]] and [[Karelian language|Karelian]], and more distantly to [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]] and the [[Sami languages]].

Swedish is the native language of 5.1% of the population ([[Swedish-speaking population of Finland|Swedish-speaking Finns]]).<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2024-final"/> Swedish is a compulsory school subject and general knowledge of the language is good among many non-native speakers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_en.pdf|title=Europeans and their languages, the situation in 2005|publisher=European Commission|access-date=5 January 2021|archive-date=14 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414102658/http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_en.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Likewise, a majority of Swedish-speaking non-Ålanders can speak Finnish.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hbl.fi/artikel/finlandssvenska-ungdomar-talar-sallan-finska-sarskilt-pa-natet-ar-finskan-ovanlig/|title=Finlandssvenska ungdomar talar sällan finska – särskilt på nätet är finskan ovanlig|publisher=Hufvudstadsbladet|last=Piippo|first=Mikael|date=12 December 2018|access-date=5 January 2021|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308121149/https://www.hbl.fi/artikel/finlandssvenska-ungdomar-talar-sallan-finska-sarskilt-pa-natet-ar-finskan-ovanlig/|url-status=dead}}</ref><!-- the complete report at http://magma.fi/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/111.pdf --> The Finnish side of the land border with Sweden is unilingually Finnish-speaking. The Swedish across the border is distinct from the Swedish spoken in Finland. There is a sizeable pronunciation difference between the varieties of Swedish spoken in the two countries, although their [[mutual intelligibility]] is nearly universal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.infofinland.fi/sv/livet-i-finland/finska-och-svenska-spraket/det-svenska-spraket-i-finland|title=Det svenska språket i Finland|publisher=InfoFinland|language=sv|access-date=5 January 2021|archive-date=6 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106222638/https://www.infofinland.fi/sv/livet-i-finland/finska-och-svenska-spraket/det-svenska-spraket-i-finland|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Finnish Kalo language|Finnish Romani]] is spoken by some 5,000–6,000 people; there are 13,000-14,000 Romani people in Finland<ref>{{Cite web |title=Romanit ovat etninen vähemmistö {{!}} Näin se näkyy meillä |url=https://romanit.fi/ |access-date=9 February 2024 |website=Romanit.fi |language=fi |archive-date=14 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214124437/https://romanit.fi/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Romani and [[Finnish Sign Language]] are also recognized in the constitution. There are two sign languages: Finnish Sign Language, spoken natively by 4,000–5,000 people,<ref>{{cite web |title=Forskningscentralen för de inhemska språken—Teckenspråken i Finland |language=sv |url=http://www.kotus.fi/index.phtml?l=sv&s=206 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318084839/http://www.kotus.fi/index.phtml?l=sv&s=206 |archive-date=18 March 2015 }}</ref> and [[Finland-Swedish Sign Language]], spoken natively by about 150 people. [[Mishar Tatar dialect|Tatar]] is spoken by a [[Finnish Tatars|Finnish Tatar]] minority of about 800 people whose ancestors moved to Finland mainly between the 1870s and 1920s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://forum.hunturk.net/national-minorities-of-finland-the-tatars-2491.html |title=National Minorities of Finland, The Tatars |publisher=Forum.hunturk.net |access-date=6 December 2011 |archive-date=11 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111211121203/http://forum.hunturk.net/national-minorities-of-finland-the-tatars-2491.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Sámi languages]] have an official status in parts of Lapland, where the [[Sámi people#Finland|Sámi]], numbering over 10,000<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 July 2017 |title=Saamelaisten määrä Sisä-Suomessa |url=https://barbmu.wordpress.com/mika-barbmu/saamelaisten-maara-sisa-suomessa/ |access-date=9 February 2024 |website=bárbmu ry/rs |language=fi |archive-date=18 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118044435/https://barbmu.wordpress.com/mika-barbmu/saamelaisten-maara-sisa-suomessa/ |url-status=live }}</ref> are recognized as an [[Indigenous peoples|indigenous people]]. About a quarter of them speak a Sami language as their mother tongue.<ref name="Population 2006-12-31">{{cite web |url=http://tilastokeskus.fi/til/vaerak/2006/vaerak_2006_2007-03-23_tie_001_en.html |title=The population of Finland in 2006 |work=Statistics Finland |date=31 December 2006 |access-date=4 September 2007 |archive-date=13 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913065123/https://tilastokeskus.fi/til/vaerak/2006/vaerak_2006_2007-03-23_tie_001_en.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Sami languages that are spoken in Finland are [[Northern Sami]], [[Inari Sámi language|Inari Sami]], and [[Skolt Sami language|Skolt Sami]].{{refn|group=note|The names for Finland in its Sami languages are: {{lang|se|Suopma}} ([[Northern Sami]]), {{lang|smn|Suomâ}} ([[Inari Sámi language|Inari Sami]]) and {{lang|sms|Lää'ddjânnam}} ([[Skolt Sami language|Skolt Sami]]). See [https://www.geonames.de Geonames.de.]}} The rights of minority groups (in particular Sami, Swedish speakers, and Romani people) are protected by the constitution.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf |title=The Constitution of Finland, 17 § and 121 § |work=FINLEX Data Bank |access-date=4 September 2007 |archive-date=13 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113222833/http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Nordic countries#Languages|Nordic]] languages and [[Karelian language|Karelian]] are also specially recognized in parts of Finland.

{{As of|2024}}, the most common foreign languages are [[Russian language|Russian]] (1.8%), [[Estonian language|Estonian]] (0.9%), [[Arabic]] (0.8%), [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]] (0.7%) and [[English language|English]] (0.7%).<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2024-final"/>

English is studied by most pupils as a compulsory subject from the first grade (at seven years of age), formerly from the third or fifth grade, in the comprehensive school (in some schools other languages can be chosen instead).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/15462-finland-s-first-graders-to-start-learning-foreign-language-in-spring-2020.html|title=Finland's first-graders to start learning foreign language in spring 2020|last=Teivainen|first=Aleksi|date=13 April 2019|work=[[Helsinki Times]]|access-date=1 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite thesis|last=Yang|first=Junyi|title=Teachers' Role in Developing Healthy Self-esteem in Young Learners: A study of English language teachers in Finland|date=Spring 2018|degree=Master's Degree Program in Early Language Education for Intercultural Communication|publisher=University of Eastern Finland|url=http://epublications.uef.fi/pub/urn_nbn_fi_uef-20180513/urn_nbn_fi_uef-20180513.pdf|access-date=1 May 2019|archive-date=23 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523084242/http://epublications.uef.fi/pub/urn_nbn_fi_uef-20180513/urn_nbn_fi_uef-20180513.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://finlandtoday.fi/finland-places-among-the-top-four-english-speaking-countries-in-the-world/|title=Finland Places Among the Top Four English-Speaking Countries in the World|first=Tony|last=Öhberg|access-date=25 July 2020|archive-date=25 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725213602/https://finlandtoday.fi/finland-places-among-the-top-four-english-speaking-countries-in-the-world/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/finland_ranks_sixth_in_english_skills_early_instruction_crucial/10071036|title=Finland ranks sixth in English skills, early instruction crucial|website=Yle Uutiset|date=12 February 2018|access-date=25 July 2020|archive-date=25 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725215547/https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/finland_ranks_sixth_in_english_skills_early_instruction_crucial/10071036|url-status=live}}</ref> German, French, Spanish and Russian can be studied as second foreign languages from the fourth grade (at 10 years of age; some schools may offer other options).<ref>{{Cite conference|last=Nuolijärvi|first=Pirkko|date=Fall 2011|title=Language education policy and practice in Finland|url=http://www.efnil.org/documents/conference-publications/london-2011/the-role-of-language-education-in-creating-a/15-Pirkko-Nuolijarvi.pdf|conference=European Federation of National Institutions for Language|access-date=1 May 2019|archive-date=22 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222175213/http://efnil.org/documents/conference-publications/london-2011/the-role-of-language-education-in-creating-a/15-Pirkko-Nuolijarvi.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Largest cities ===
{{Largest cities
| country      = Finland
| stat_ref     = Statistics Finland<ref>{{cite web |url= https://stat.fi/en/publication/cm0nk6gq0jmhm08w3rxb4yzpx |title= Finland's preliminary population figure was 5,639,600 at the end of February 2025 |date=25 March 2025 |series= Population structure |publisher= Statistics Finland |access-date=4 April 2025}}</ref>
| list_by_pop  = 
| div_name     = Region
| div_link     =

|city_1 = Helsinki
|div_1 = Uusimaa
|pop_1 = {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Helsinki }} }}

|city_2 = Espoo
|div_2 = Uusimaa
|pop_2 = {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Espoo }} }}

|city_3 = Tampere
|div_3 = Pirkanmaa
|pop_3 = {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Tampere }} }}

|city_4 = Vantaa
|div_4 = Uusimaa
|pop_4 = {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Vantaa }} }}

|city_5 = Oulu
|div_5 = North Ostrobothnia
|pop_5 = {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Oulu }} }}

|city_6 = Turku
|div_6 = Southwest Finland
|pop_6 = {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Turku }} }}

|city_7 = Jyväskylä
|div_7 = Central Finland
|pop_7 = {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Jyväskylä }} }}

|city_8 = Kuopio
|div_8 = North Savo
|pop_8 = {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Kuopio }} }}

|city_9 = Lahti
|div_9 = Päijät-Häme
|pop_9 = {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Lahti }} }}

|city_10 = Pori
|div_10 = Satakunta
|pop_10 = {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Pori }} }}

|city_11 = Joensuu
|div_11 = North Karelia
|pop_11 = {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Joensuu }} }}

|city_12 = Kouvola
|div_12 = Kymenlaakso
|pop_12 = {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Kouvola }} }}

|city_13 = Lappeenranta
|div_13 = South Karelia
|pop_13 = {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Lappeenranta }} }}

|city_14 = Vaasa
|div_14 = Ostrobothnia (administrative region) {{!}} Ostrobothnia
|pop_14 = {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Vaasa }} }}

|city_15 = Hämeenlinna
|div_15 = Kanta-Häme
|pop_15 = {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Hämeenlinna }} }}

|city_16 = Seinäjoki
|div_16 = South Ostrobothnia
|pop_16 = {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Seinäjoki }} }}

|city_17 = Rovaniemi
|div_17 = Lapland (Finland) {{!}} Lapland
|pop_17 = {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Rovaniemi }} }}

|city_18 = Mikkeli
|div_18 = South Savo
|pop_18 = {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Mikkeli }} }}

|city_19 = Porvoo
|div_19 = Uusimaa
|pop_19 = {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Porvoo }} }}

|city_20 = Salo, Finland{{!}}Salo
|div_20 = Southwest Finland
|pop_20 = {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Salo, Finland }} }}

}}

=== Religion ===
{{Main|Religion in Finland}}
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Registered members of religions groups in Finland by the Statistics Finland (2024)<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2024-final"/>
|label1 = Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
|value1 = 62.2
| color1 = #4575b4 
|label2 = Orthodox Church
|value2 = 1.0
| color2 = #91bfdb
|label3 = Other Christian
|value3 = 1.0
| color3 = #e0f3f8
|label4 = Other religions
|value4 = 0.9
| color4 = #1b7837
|label5 = Unaffiliated
|value5 = 34.9
| color5 = #fff
}}

With 3.5&nbsp;million members,<ref>[https://www.kirkontilastot.fi/viz.php?id=271 Jäsentilasto 2024] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429170934/https://www.kirkontilastot.fi/viz.php?id=271 |date=29 April 2024 }} Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland</ref> the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland]] is Finland's largest religious body; {{As of|2024}}, 62.2% of Finns were members of the church.<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2024-final"/> The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland has seen its share of the country's population declining by roughly one percent annually in recent years. The decline has been due to both church membership resignations and falling baptism rates.<ref>[http://eroakirkosta.fi/media/none/tiedote_13_2015.html?year=2015 Eroakirkosta.fi – Kirkosta eronnut tänä vuonna 40 000 ihmistä] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731065845/http://eroakirkosta.fi/media/none/tiedote_13_2015.html?year=2015 |date=31 July 2016 }} {{in lang|fi}}.</ref><ref>[http://www.karjalainen.fi/uutiset/uutis-alueet/kotimaa/item/108142-kastettujen-maara-romahtanut-kirkollisista-ristiaisista-luopuu-yha-useampi ''Karjalainen – Kastettujen määrä romahtanut – kirkollisista ristiäisistä luopuu yhä useampi''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816230621/https://www.karjalainen.fi/uutiset/uutis-alueet/kotimaa/item/108142-kastettujen-maara-romahtanut-kirkollisista-ristiaisista-luopuu-yha-useampi |date=16 August 2018 }} 13 June 2016 {{in lang|fi}}.</ref> The second largest group, accounting for 26.3% of the population<ref name="relig_stat">[http://tilastokeskus.fi/tup/suoluk/suoluk_vaesto_en.html#structure Population structure] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018134205/http://www.tilastokeskus.fi/tup/suoluk/suoluk_vaesto_en.html#structure |date=18 October 2017 }} Statistics Finland</ref> in 2017, has no religious affiliation. A small minority belongs to the [[Finnish Orthodox Church]] (1.1%). Other [[Protestant]] denominations and the [[Catholic Church in Finland|Roman Catholic Church]] are significantly smaller, as are the [[History of the Jews in Finland|Jewish]] and other non-Christian communities (totalling 1.6%). The [[Pew Research Center]] estimated the [[Islam in Finland|Muslim]] population at 2.7% in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Muslim Population Growth in Europe|url=http://www.pewforum.org/2017/11/29/europes-growing-muslim-population/|website=pewforum.org|date=29 November 2017|access-date=28 September 2018|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201133210/http://www.pewforum.org/2017/11/29/europes-growing-muslim-population/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Finland's state church was the Church of Sweden until 1809. As an autonomous Grand Duchy under Russia from 1809 to 1917, Finland retained the Lutheran State Church system, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland was established. After Finland had gained independence in 1917, religious freedom was declared in the constitution of 1919, and a separate law on religious freedom in 1922. Through this arrangement, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland gained a constitutional status as a national church alongside the Finnish Orthodox Church, whose position however is not codified in the constitution. The main Lutheran and Orthodox churches have special roles such as in state ceremonies and schools.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://finland.fi/Public/default.aspx?contentid=160099&nodeid=41800&culture=en-US |title=The Church in Finland today |first=Salla |last=Korpela |date=May 2005 |access-date=11 January 2011 |publisher=Finland Promotion Board; Produced by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Department for Communications and Culture |archive-date=10 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910195729/http://finland.fi/Public/default.aspx?contentid=160099&nodeid=41800&culture=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2016, 69.3% of Finnish children were [[Baptism|baptized]],<ref>[http://sakasti.evl.fi/sakasti.nsf/0/FFEDB75916EB394AC22576CC003D875E/$FILE/Vaestonmuutokset_koko%20kirkko_2016.xlsx Lutheran church member statistics (2016)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215122035/http://sakasti.evl.fi/sakasti.nsf/0/FFEDB75916EB394AC22576CC003D875E/$FILE/Vaestonmuutokset_koko%20kirkko_2016.xlsx |date=15 December 2018 }} evl.fi</ref> but by 2019, this figure had declined to around 62% <ref>{{Cite web |title=Helsinki leads trend to bypass baptism |url=https://yle.fi/a/3-1136695 |access-date=28 March 2025 |website=yle.fi}}</ref> and 82.3% were [[Confirmation (Lutheran Church)|confirmed]] in 2012 at the age of 15,<ref>[http://sakasti.evl.fi/sakasti.nsf/0/8A75CE045AD09FE4C22577AE00256611/$FILE/KKH_Tilastollinen_vuosikirja2012_toiminta_lopullinen%20versio.pdf Church statistical yesrbook 2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320170001/http://sakasti.evl.fi/sakasti.nsf/0/8A75CE045AD09FE4C22577AE00256611/$FILE/KKH_Tilastollinen_vuosikirja2012_toiminta_lopullinen%20versio.pdf |date=20 March 2014 }} The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland</ref> and over 90% of the funerals are Christian. However, the majority of Lutherans attend church only for special occasions like Christmas ceremonies, weddings, and funerals. The Lutheran Church estimates that approximately 1.8% of its members attend church services weekly.<ref>[http://yle.fi/uutiset/church_attendance_falls_religion_seen_as_private/5539349 Church Attendance Falls; Religion Seen as Private] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418102934/http://yle.fi/uutiset/church_attendance_falls_religion_seen_as_private/5539349 |date=18 April 2016 }} 3 June 2012 YLE</ref> The average number of church visits per year by church members is approximately two.<ref name="state2004">{{cite web |url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2004/35453.htm |title=International Religious Freedom Report 2004 |work=[[United States Department of State|U.S. Department of State]] |date=15 September 2004 |access-date=22 January 2007 |archive-date=17 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217170039/https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2004/35453.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to a 2010 [[Eurobarometer]] poll, 33% of Finnish citizens responded that they "believe there is a God"; 42% answered that they "believe there is some sort of spirit or life force"; and 22% that they "do not believe there is any sort of spirit, God, or life force".<ref name="EUROBAROMETER">{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_341_en.pdf |title=Special Eurobarometer Biotechnology |page=204 |edition=Fieldwork: January–February 2010 |date=October 2010 |access-date=16 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215001129/http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_341_en.pdf |archive-date=15 December 2010 }}</ref> According to ISSP survey data (2008), 8% consider themselves "highly religious", and 31% "moderately religious". In the same survey, 28% reported themselves as "agnostic" and 29% as "non-religious".<ref>Kimmo, Ketola et al. (2011). [http://tampub.uta.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/65683/uskonto_suomalaisten_elamassa_2011.pdf?sequence=1 Uskonto suomalaisten elämässä] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916015652/http://tampub.uta.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/65683/uskonto_suomalaisten_elamassa_2011.pdf?sequence=1 |date=16 September 2018 }}. Tampereen yliopistopaino Oy . {{ISBN|978-951-44-8483-4}}</ref>

=== Health ===
{{Main|Healthcare in Finland}}
[[File:Verenluovuttaja.tiff|thumb|upright|A man donating blood at [[Finnish Red Cross]] {{ill|Blood Service|fi|Veripalvelu}}]]
[[Life expectancy]] was 79 years for men and 84.2 years for women in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Population and society |url=https://stat.fi/tup/suoluk/suoluk_vaesto_en.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114133623/http://www.stat.fi/tup/julkaisut/tiedostot/julkaisuluettelo/yyti_fif_201800_2018_19693_net.pdf |archive-date=14 November 2018 |access-date=10 December 2018 |website=stat.fi |publisher=}}</ref> The under-five mortality rate was 2.3 per 1,000 live births in 2022, ranking Finland's rate among the lowest in the world.<ref>{{cite web |title=Trends in Under five Mortality Rate |url=https://data.unicef.org/country/fin/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210063347/https://data.unicef.org/country/fin/ |archive-date=10 December 2018 |access-date=28 March 2025 |publisher=UNICEF}}</ref> The [[fertility rate]] in 2023 stood at 1.26 children born/per woman and has been below [[Sub-replacement fertility|the replacement rate]] of 2.1 since 1969.<ref name="stat.fi">[https://stat.fi/en/publication/cln4jsw103qcn0avxz5icrry3 Birth rate fell to the lowest level in statistical history in 2023] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928205952/http://www.stat.fi/til/synt/2014/synt_2014_2015-04-14_tie_001_en.html|date=28 September 2015}}. Stat.fi (14 April 2015). Retrieved 28 March 2025.</ref> With a low birth rate women also become mothers at a later age, the mean age at first live birth being 30.3 in 2023.<ref name="stat.fi" /> A 2011 study published in ''[[The Lancet]]'' medical journal found that Finland had the lowest [[stillbirth]] rate out of 193 countries.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(10)62187-3/fulltext#article_upsell |title=Stillbirths: Where? When? Why? How to make the data count? |journal=The Lancet |access-date=6 December 2011 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(10)62187-3 |pmid=21496911 |volume=377 |issue=9775 |pages=1448–1463 |year=2011 |last1=Lawn |first1=Joy E. |last2=Blencowe |first2=Hannah |last3=Pattinson |first3=Robert |last4=Cousens |first4=Simon |last5=Kumar |first5=Rajesh |last6=Ibiebele |first6=Ibinabo |last7=Gardosi |first7=Jason |last8=Day |first8=Louise T. |last9=Stanton |first9=Cynthia |hdl=2263/16343 |s2cid=14278260 |hdl-access=free |archive-date=22 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111222012754/http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(10)62187-3/fulltext#article_upsell |url-status=live }}</ref>

There has been a slight increase or no change in welfare and health inequalities between population groups in the 21st century. Lifestyle-related diseases are on the rise. More than half a million Finns suffer from [[diabetes]], [[type 1 diabetes]] being globally the most common in Finland. Many children are diagnosed with [[type 2 diabetes]]. The number of [[musculoskeletal disease]]s and [[cancer]]s are increasing, although the cancer prognosis has improved. Allergies and dementia are also growing health problems in Finland. One of the most common reasons for work disability are due to mental disorders, in particular [[Major depressive disorder|depression]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stm.fi/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=6511570&name=DLFE-26813.pdf |title=Health care in Finland |publisher=STM |access-date=6 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317183526/http://www.stm.fi/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=6511570&name=DLFE-26813.pdf |archive-date=17 March 2015 }}</ref> Without [[age standardization]], the suicide rates were 13 per 100 000 in 2015, close to the North European average.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/eurostat_falling_suicide_rate_in_finland_nears_european_average/10324113|title=Eurostat: Falling suicide rate in Finland nears European average|date=26 July 2018|publisher=YLE|access-date=18 December 2018|archive-date=18 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218145614/https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/eurostat_falling_suicide_rate_in_finland_nears_european_average/10324113|url-status=live}}</ref> Age-standardized suicide rates are still among the highest among developed countries in the OECD.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.MHSUICIDEASDR?lang=en|title=GHO {{!}} By category {{!}} Suicide rate estimates, age-standardized – Estimates by country|website=WHO|access-date=17 March 2020|archive-date=18 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018170407/http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.MHSUICIDEASDR?lang=en|url-status=live}}</ref>

There are 307 residents for each doctor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stat.fi/tup/suoluk/suoluk_terveys_en.html |title=Health (2004) |work=Statistics Finland |access-date=22 January 2007 |archive-date=4 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404195621/http://www.stat.fi/tup/suoluk/suoluk_terveys_en.html |url-status=live }}</ref> About 19% of health care is funded directly by households and 77% by taxation.

In April 2012, Finland was ranked second in Gross National Happiness in a report published by The Earth Institute.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pakblog.net/2012/04/pakistan-ranked-85th-happiest-nation-in.html |title=World Happiness report |year=2012 |access-date=7 April 2012 |archive-date=4 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404200724/http://www.pakblog.net/2012/04/pakistan-ranked-85th-happiest-nation-in.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Since 2012, Finland has every time ranked at least in the top 5 of world's happiest countries in the annual [[World Happiness Report]] by the [[United Nations]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://worldhappiness.report/ed/2017/|title=World Happiness Report 2017|date=20 March 2017|access-date=22 May 2018|archive-date=20 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320110735/http://worldhappiness.report/ed/2017/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/happiness-report/2016/HR-V1_web.pdf|title=World Happiness Report 2016 {{pipe}} Volume I (page 22)|access-date=22 May 2018|archive-date=3 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503195925/https://s3.amazonaws.com/happiness-report/2016/HR-V1_web.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/happiness-report/2012/World_Happiness_Report_2012.pdf|title=World Happiness Report 2012 (page 30)|access-date=22 May 2018|archive-date=17 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717223949/https://s3.amazonaws.com/happiness-report/2012/World_Happiness_Report_2012.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as ranking as the happiest country since 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://worldhappiness.report/ed/2018/|title=World Happiness Report 2018|access-date=21 May 2018|date=14 March 2018|archive-date=13 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213084642/http://worldhappiness.report/ed/2018/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://worldhappiness.report/news/world-happiness-report-2024-most-comprehensive-picture-yet-of-happiness-across-generations/|title=World Happiness Report 2024: Most comprehensive picture yet of happiness across generations|access-date=20 March 2024|date=20 March 2024|archive-date=20 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320021023/https://worldhappiness.report/news/world-happiness-report-2024-most-comprehensive-picture-yet-of-happiness-across-generations/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Education and science ===
{{Main|Education in Finland}}
[[File:Oodi July 2019 2.jpg|thumb|left|[[Helsinki Central Library Oodi]] was chosen as the best new [[public library]] in the world in 2019.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/collection/worlds-greatest-places-2019/5654132/helsinki-central-library-oodi-finland/|title=World's Greatest Places: Helsinki Central Library Oodi|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919163457/https://time.com/collection/worlds-greatest-places-2019/5654132/helsinki-central-library-oodi-finland/|url-status=live}}</ref>]]
Most pre-tertiary education is arranged at the municipal level. Around 3 percent of students are enrolled in private schools (mostly specialist language and international schools).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurydice.org/ressources/Eurydice/pdf/047DN/047_NL_EN.pdf |title=Summary sheets on education systems in Europe |publisher=Eurydice.org |access-date=26 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910005807/http://www.eurydice.org/ressources/Eurydice/pdf/047DN/047_NL_EN.pdf |archive-date=10 September 2008 }}</ref> Formal education is usually started at the age of 7. Primary school takes normally six years and lower secondary school three years.

The curriculum is set by the [[Ministry of Education and Culture (Finland)|Ministry of Education and Culture]] and the Education Board. Education is compulsory between the ages of 7 and 18. After lower secondary school, graduates may apply to trade schools or [[Gymnasium (school)|gymnasiums]] (upper secondary schools). Trade schools offer a [[vocational education]]: approximately 40% of an age group choose this path after the lower secondary school.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unevoc.unesco.org/worldtvetdatabase1.php?ct=FIN |title=Vocational Education in Finland |date=18 November 2013 |access-date=9 May 2014 |author=UNESCO-UNEVOC |archive-date=13 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513011254/http://www.unevoc.unesco.org/worldtvetdatabase1.php?ct=FIN |url-status=live }}</ref> Academically oriented gymnasiums have higher entrance requirements and specifically prepare for [[Abitur]] and tertiary education. Graduation from either formally qualifies for tertiary education.

[[File:Lc3 2018 (263682303) (cropped).jpeg|thumb|upright|[[Linus Torvalds]], the Finnish [[Software engineering|software engineer]] best known for creating the popular [[Open-source software|open-source]] kernel [[Linux]].]]

In tertiary education, two mostly separate and non-interoperating sectors are found: the profession-oriented polytechnics and the research-oriented universities. Education is free and living expenses are to a large extent financed by the government through [[student benefit]]s. There are 15 universities and 24 Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) in the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scholarshipsineurope.com/list-of-university-in-finland/ |title=List of University in Finland |website=scholarshipsineurope.com |access-date=4 August 2018 |date=July 2017 |archive-date=26 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826214500/https://www.scholarshipsineurope.com/list-of-university-in-finland/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.studyinfinland.fi/where_to_study/universities_of_applied_sciences |title=Universities of Applied Sciences in Finland |website=studyinfinland.fi |access-date=4 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808092603/http://studyinfinland.fi/where_to_study/universities_of_applied_sciences |archive-date=8 August 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[University of Helsinki]] is ranked 117th in the Top University Ranking of 2025.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top University Ranking of 2025: University of Helsinki |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-helsinki |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102111112/http://topuniversities.com/university/258/university-of-helsinki |archive-date=2 January 2010 |access-date=28 March 2025}}</ref> [[List of universities in Finland|Other reputable universities]] of Finland include [[Aalto University]] in [[Espoo]], both [[University of Turku]] and [[Åbo Akademi University]] in [[Turku]], [[University of Jyväskylä]], [[University of Oulu]], [[LUT University]] in [[Lappeenranta]] and [[Lahti]], [[University of Eastern Finland]] in [[Kuopio]] and [[Joensuu]], and [[Tampere University]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.study.eu/best-universities/finland|title=The top 9 best universities in Finland: 2021 rankings|website=study.eu|access-date=23 November 2020|archive-date=30 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130210546/https://www.study.eu/best-universities/finland|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[World Economic Forum]] ranks Finland's tertiary education No. 2 in the world.<ref>{{cite web |author=World Economic Forum |author-link=World Economic Forum |title=The Global Competitiveness Report 2019 |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TheGlobalCompetitivenessReport2019.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920154137/http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GlobalCompetitivenessReport_2013-14.pdf |archive-date=20 September 2018 |access-date=28 March 2025 |page=236}}</ref> Around 33% of residents have a tertiary degree, similar to Nordics and more than in most other OECD countries except Canada (44%), United States (38%) and Japan (37%).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tilastokeskus.fi/artikkelit/2006/art_2006-07-06_001.html |title=Tilastokeskus.fi |publisher=Tilastokeskus.fi |access-date=6 March 2011 |archive-date=9 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509105843/https://www.tilastokeskus.fi/artikkelit/2006/art_2006-07-06_001.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, 38% of Finland's population has a university or [[college degree]], which is among the highest percentages in the world.<ref>Sauter, Michael B. (24 September 2012) [https://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-most-educated-countries-in-the-world.html;_ylt=AlaWy8IcyeBaviKi7_.WJyhE6odG;_ylu=X3oDMTJrY2d2NGZyBG1pdANDeFMgRmluYW5jaWFsbHkgRml0IEFydGljbGUgQXJ0aWNsZSBCb2R5IFByb2QEcG9zAzMEc2VjA01lZGlhQXJ0aWNsZUJvZHlBc3NlbWJseQ--;_ylg=X3oDMTNjdGVoaXJqBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDY2IyOTRhMGEtYmY2OS0zYTdlLThlYTUtZWFlNTU3YWI1ZTc3BHBzdGNhdANleGNsdXNpdmVzfGZpbmFuY2lhbGx5Zml0BHB0A3N0b3J5cGFnZQ--;_ylv=3?page=1 The Most Educated Countries in the World] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820025707/http://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-most-educated-countries-in-the-world.html;_ylt=AlaWy8IcyeBaviKi7_.WJyhE6odG;_ylu=X3oDMTJrY2d2NGZyBG1pdANDeFMgRmluYW5jaWFsbHkgRml0IEFydGljbGUgQXJ0aWNsZSBCb2R5IFByb2QEcG9zAzMEc2VjA01lZGlhQXJ0aWNsZUJvZHlBc3NlbWJseQ--;_ylg=X3oDMTNjdGVoaXJqBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDY2IyOTRhMGEtYmY2OS0zYTdlLThlYTUtZWFlNTU3YWI1ZTc3BHBzdGNhdANleGNsdXNpdmVzfGZpbmFuY2lhbGx5Zml0BHB0A3N0b3J5cGFnZQ--;_ylv=3?page=1 |date=20 August 2016 }}. Yahoo! Finance. Retrieved 18 May 2016.</ref><ref>[https://newsfeed.time.com/2012/09/27/and-the-worlds-most-educated-country-is/ And the World's Most Educated Country Is...] . ''Time''. (27 September 2012). Retrieved 18 May 2016.</ref> Adult education appears in several forms, such as secondary evening schools, civic and workers' institutes, study centres, vocational course centres, and [[folk high school]]s.<ref name="LOC" />

More than 30% of tertiary graduates are in science-related fields. Forest improvement, materials research, environmental sciences, neural networks, low-temperature physics, brain research, biotechnology, genetic technology, and communications showcase fields of study where Finnish researchers have had a significant impact.<ref name="innovation">{{cite web|first=Kari |last=Sipilä |title=A country that innovates |url=http://www.finland.cn/Public/default.aspx?contentid=99637 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707031053/http://www.finland.cn/Public/default.aspx?contentid=99637 |archive-date=7 July 2011 |work=Virtual Finland |publisher=Ministry for Foreign Affairs / Department for Communication and Culture / Unit for Promotion and Publications / Embassy and Consulates General of Finland in China |url-status=dead }}</ref> Finland is highly productive in scientific research. In 2005, Finland had the fourth most scientific publications per capita of the OECD countries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.research.fi/en/performance/scientific_publication.html |title=Scientific publication—Finnish science and technology Information Service |language=fi |publisher=Research.fi |date=15 November 2007 |access-date=3 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113085004/http://www.research.fi/en/performance/scientific_publication.html |archive-date=13 November 2013 }}</ref> In 2007, 1,801 patents were filed in Finland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.research.fi/en/performance/patents/patents_with%20numbers |title=Patents with numbers—Finnish science and technology Information Service |language=fi |publisher=Research.fi |date=8 December 2009 |access-date=4 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091011194752/http://www.research.fi/en/performance/patents/patents_with%20numbers |archive-date=11 October 2009}}</ref>