Immigration to Finland

The most common reasons for immigration to Finland are work, family reunification, study, asylum, return migration and the pursuit of a high quality of life. Immigration is linked to discussions about ethnicity, economic effects, employment, integration and political developments. It also addresses labour shortages, supports the ageing population and contributes to innovation.

Historically, Finland has been predominantly ethnically homogeneous, with native Finns forming the majority of the population. Traditional minority groups include Finland-Swedes, Sámi and Roma communities. Immigration has increased significantly over the last three decades, leading to greater ethnic diversity. Major immigrant groups in Finland include Estonians, Russians, Ukrainians, Iraqis, Chinese, Somalis, Filipinos, Indians and Iranians.

As of 2024, Statistics Finland has published data on the foreign population using three different methods. The Finnish population includes persons of foreign origin and background, who make up 11.1% of the total population. In additional calculations, the proportion of persons born outside Finland is 10.3%. Persons with a mother tongue other than Finnish, Swedish or Sámi account for 10.8%.