Nestled in the north of Europe, Finland is a land adorned with spectacular natural sceneries, forests, and long coastlines. The country boasts a diverse economy, a modern education system, and an excellent health care system that ranks amongst the best in the world. Finland is an increasingly popular destination for expats seeking a high standard of living in a peaceful and technical environment.
Expat destinations in Finland
Demographics of Finland:
Ethnic groups
Finnish (91.5%), Swedish (5.2%), other (3.3%)
Languages
Finnish (official) 90.5%, Swedish (official) 5.6%, Russian 0.8%
Religion Overview
Although over three-fourths of the population claim to be Christian, Finland is a secular country with a constitution that promotes freedom of religion.
Major Religions
Climate
Finland lies in the path of the Polar Maritime Climate, which results in a mild climate despite the country's high latitude. Summers are cool, with temperatures ranging from 16°C to 21°C, while winters are long and frigid, with low temperatures that can plunge as low as -35°C.
Economy Overview
Finland boasts a prosperous economy, with a nominal GDP of around $228.3bn. The country is a global leader in fields like forestry, electronics, and engineering, while its workforce enjoys one of the highest average salaries in Europe.
Key Industries
- Technology
- Forestry
- Manufacturing
- Energy
- Transportation
Major Companies
- Konecranes
- Rautaruukki
- Wärtsilä
- Valmet
- Packchio Oy
Culture and Language Overview
Finland is known for its unique blend of ancient folklore, modern urban life, and prominent art and design scene, all of which reflect vividly in the country's cultural fabric. The Finnish language belongs to the Finno-Ugric group, which sets it apart from the major European languages.
Cultural Highlights
- National Library of Finland
- Suomenlinna Sea Fortress
- Sibelius Museum
- Helsinki Cathedral
- Aleksanterin Kauppahalli
- The Kalevala
- Finnish Folk Music
Geography and Landmarks Overview
Finland is a landscape of sprawling forests, pure lakes, and snowy mountains. The country boasts 179,586 lakes, and 188,000 rivers, which cover around 10% of its total area. Finland is also home to striking landmarks like the Helsinki Cathedral, Old Rauma, and the Rauhaniemi Beach.
Notable Landmarks
- Levi Ski Resort
- Saimaa Lake
- Kevo Arctic Resort
- Pisa Sulaturi National Park
- Päijänne Tavast Husby Manor
- Jyvaskyla Winter Festival
- Aurora Borealis
National Holidays
- New Year's Day (January 1)
- Epiphany Day (January 6)
- Midsummer Day (close to June 24)
- All Saints' Day (November 1)
- Independence Day (December 6)
- Christmas (December 25)
- Boxing Day (December 26)
Political Stability
Finland ranks highly in global metrics for political stability, democracy, freedom of speech, and the press. The country has a multi-party political system dominated by the Center Party, National Coalition Party, and the Social Democratic Party. Finland has a reputation for being one of the welcoming countries in Europe for expats.
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