Finland’s population reached 5,652,881 at the end of 2025, with annual growth slowing to 16,910 people after two years of stronger increases driven by migration, according to data from Statistics Finland.
The latest figures show that growth in 2025 was nearly half the level recorded in the previous year. In 2023 and 2024, population gains rose due to arrivals from Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.
The data points to a shift in demographic trends as migration flows stabilised. Despite the slowdown, the population continued to expand, extending a long-term upward trend.
Regional patterns show uneven development. The population increased in 77 municipalities during 2025, while 227 recorded a decline.
Urban regions continued to attract residents. In Uusimaa, which includes the capital Helsinki, one in five residents now has a foreign background. The figure reflects sustained migration and the concentration of newcomers in larger cities.
The number of people with a foreign background born in Finland, often referred to as second-generation residents, has passed 100,000 for the first time.
The data also shows changes in religious affiliation. More than two million people in Finland now report no affiliation with a religious community.
Statistics Finland links recent population growth to migration rather than natural increase. The country has faced low birth rates and an ageing population for several years.
The slowdown in 2025 follows a period of rapid change. Annual population growth had risen sharply in the previous two years, driven by international events and increased arrivals.
HT