Factbook dossier
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.
Location
Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia
Area
total : 338,145 sq km land: 303,815 sq km water: 34,330 sq km
Natural resources
timber, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, nickel, gold, silver, limestone
Natural hazards
severe winters in the north
Population
total: 5,550,449 (2025 est.) male: 2,750,057 female: 2,800,392
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 perustietol hde. (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.)
Environmental issues
limited air pollution in urban centers; some water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations
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
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
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$313.591 billion (2024 est.) $314.075 billion (2023 est.) $317.078 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita
$55,600 (2024 est.) $56,200 (2023 est.) $57,100 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
1.6% (2024 est.) 6.3% (2023 est.) 7.1% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Exports - partners
USA 11%, Germany 11%, Sweden 10%, Netherlands 7%, China 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Imports - partners
Germany 14%, Sweden 12%, China 9%, Norway 8%, Netherlands 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
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
2.8% 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.)