GeoRealityMatch
Capture of Helsinki's historic architecture and skyline with Helsinki Cathedral.A stunning view of Helsinki's vibrant cityscape with the iconic Helsinki Cathedral under a dramatic sky.

Finland

Europe · Northern Europe

Very high safetyExpensive cost of livingVery high development

It is one of the most peaceful countries, and people live long. Youth unemployment is high for Europe.

ExpatCombines very high development and very high safety.
vs Denmarkvs Swedenvs Norway
Safety

9th most peaceful of 161

Global Peace Index
1.478lower is more peacefulVery high safety
#9 of 161
IEP GPI · 2026
Homicides
1.0per 100,000 people a yearLowUNODC / World Bank · 2023
Safety index
73.5Numbeo's safety index, higher is saferHighNumbeo · 2026
Money

Incomes above the European median

Median disposable income
€29,740per adult, a year, after tax and transfersHigh
Eurostat · 2025
Rent index
21.9New York = 100ExpensiveNumbeo · 2026
Property price to income
7.2years of median income to buy a median flatVery affordableNumbeo · 2026

Income and inflation over time

Income per person rose 36% in current dollars from 2006 to 2025, and rose 2% after inflation.

GDP per person, current US$At purchasing power parityInflation

$0$40K$80K$65,884 PPP$56,149Inflation, % a year8%0200620102015202020252006, $41,214 a person, $34,440 at PPP, inflation 1.6%2007, $48,473 a person, $37,843 at PPP, inflation 2.5%2008, $53,769 a person, $40,081 at PPP, inflation 4.1%2009, $47,478 a person, $37,988 at PPP2010, $46,506 a person, $38,946 at PPP, inflation 1.2%2011, $51,060 a person, $40,846 at PPP, inflation 3.4%2012, $47,552 a person, $40,739 at PPP, inflation 2.8%2013, $49,691 a person, $41,326 at PPP, inflation 1.5%2014, $50,074 a person, $41,547 at PPP, inflation 1%2015, $42,560 a person, $42,258 at PPP, inflation -0.2%2016, $43,451 a person, $44,562 at PPP, inflation 0.4%2017, $46,085 a person, $47,235 at PPP, inflation 0.8%2018, $49,654 a person, $49,249 at PPP, inflation 1.1%2019, $48,358 a person, $52,276 at PPP, inflation 1%2020, $48,829 a person, $53,297 at PPP, inflation 0.3%2021, $53,099 a person, $56,790 at PPP, inflation 2.2%2022, $50,441 a person, $62,133 at PPP, inflation 7.1%2023, $52,865 a person, $63,467 at PPP, inflation 6.3%2024, $53,156 a person, $65,137 at PPP, inflation 1.6%2025, $56,149 a person, $65,884 at PPP, inflation 0.3%$0$40K$80KInflation, % a year8%0200620102015202020252006, $41,214 a person, $34,440 at PPP, inflation 1.6%2007, $48,473 a person, $37,843 at PPP, inflation 2.5%2008, $53,769 a person, $40,081 at PPP, inflation 4.1%2009, $47,478 a person, $37,988 at PPP2010, $46,506 a person, $38,946 at PPP, inflation 1.2%2011, $51,060 a person, $40,846 at PPP, inflation 3.4%2012, $47,552 a person, $40,739 at PPP, inflation 2.8%2013, $49,691 a person, $41,326 at PPP, inflation 1.5%2014, $50,074 a person, $41,547 at PPP, inflation 1%2015, $42,560 a person, $42,258 at PPP, inflation -0.2%2016, $43,451 a person, $44,562 at PPP, inflation 0.4%2017, $46,085 a person, $47,235 at PPP, inflation 0.8%2018, $49,654 a person, $49,249 at PPP, inflation 1.1%2019, $48,358 a person, $52,276 at PPP, inflation 1%2020, $48,829 a person, $53,297 at PPP, inflation 0.3%2021, $53,099 a person, $56,790 at PPP, inflation 2.2%2022, $50,441 a person, $62,133 at PPP, inflation 7.1%2023, $52,865 a person, $63,467 at PPP, inflation 6.3%2024, $53,156 a person, $65,137 at PPP, inflation 1.6%2025, $56,149 a person, $65,884 at PPP, inflation 0.3%

World Bank: GDP per person in current US dollars and at PPP, real GDP per person, consumer price inflation. Observed years only.

Health

Among the longest-lived countries

Life expectancy
82.3years, at birthVery high
#26 of 195
World Bank · 2024
Health coverage
86WHO universal health coverage index, 0 to 100Very highWHO · 2023
Air pollution
4.1PM2.5, micrograms per cubic metre, national averageVery lowWHO · 2023
Work and internet

Among the highest youth unemployment in Europe

Youth unemployment
21.8%share of 15 to 24 year olds in the labour forceVery high
Eurostat · 2025
Home internet
178 Mbpsmedian download speedVery fastOokla Speedtest · 2025
English proficiency
603EF English Proficiency Index scoreVery highEF EPI · 2025

Internet speeds

Home internet178 MbpsVery fast
Mobile160 MbpsVery fast

Ookla Speedtest Global Index, median download speed, ranked among the countries Ookla lists.

A stunning view of Helsinki's vibrant cityscape with the iconic Helsinki Cathedral under a dramatic sky.
How it changed

Finland's Human Development Index

0.948Very high human development

12th of 193 in UNDP's 2023 ranking, 10th of 44 in Europe.

UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. UNDP Human Development Report 2025.

Nearest countries by HDI

  1. #10Belgium0.951
  2. #11Ireland0.949
  3. #12Finland0.948
  4. #13Singapore0.946
  5. #13United Kingdom0.946
Full HDI ranking, all 193 countries

HDI since 1990

Year by year

Human development rose from 0.823 in 1990 to 0.948 in 2023.

0.800.901.000.94819902000201020231990: 0.8231991: 0.8271992: 0.8331993: 0.8381994: 0.8501995: 0.8561996: 0.8631997: 0.8711998: 0.8801999: 0.8892000: 0.8982001: 0.9082002: 0.9122003: 0.9152004: 0.9112005: 0.9142006: 0.9172007: 0.9202008: 0.9212009: 0.9162010: 0.9202011: 0.9242012: 0.9242013: 0.9342014: 0.9362015: 0.9382016: 0.9402017: 0.9422018: 0.9452019: 0.9472020: 0.9472021: 0.9492022: 0.9462023: 0.9480.800.901.0019902000201020231990: 0.8231991: 0.8271992: 0.8331993: 0.8381994: 0.8501995: 0.8561996: 0.8631997: 0.8711998: 0.8801999: 0.8892000: 0.8982001: 0.9082002: 0.9122003: 0.9152004: 0.9112005: 0.9142006: 0.9172007: 0.9202008: 0.9212009: 0.9162010: 0.9202011: 0.9242012: 0.9242013: 0.9342014: 0.9362015: 0.9382016: 0.9402017: 0.9422018: 0.9452019: 0.9472020: 0.9472021: 0.9492022: 0.9462023: 0.948

UNDP Human Development Report, 2025 edition. 34 annual values, none interpolated.

Twenty years here

Year by yearThe world report
Life expectancy at birth
82.3 years2024at birthUp 3.5 years from 78.8 years in 2005
Internet users
94%2024of people onlineUp 14 points from 80% in 2006
Urban population
75%2025of people in towns and citiesUp 6 points from 69% in 2006
Births per woman
1.252024births per womanDown 0.55 from 1.80 in 2005
Renewable share of energy
50%2021of energy usedUp 19 points from 31% in 2004
Access to electricity
100%2024of people with electricityLevel with 2005
Infant mortality
22024deaths before age one, per 1,000 birthsDown 1 from 3 in 2005
CO2 emissions per person
5.5 t2024of CO2 per person a yearDown 5.6 t from 11.1 t in 2005
Forest area
74%2023of land under forestLevel with 2004

World Bank, from the first to the last observed year of each indicator; each has its own window.

Our take

World-class education and air quality in a quiet, functional society with dark winters. The case for living here is peace, long lives and wide access to essential health services. The case against is high youth unemployment for Europe and a high cost of living.

About Finland

Finland is a Nordic country of vast forests, thousands of lakes, and a culture shaped by the extremes of its seasons, from the perpetual summer daylight to the deep silence of a dark winter. The Finns have a strong relationship with nature, solitude, and the sauna as both physical and spiritual practice. It suits those who find restoration in quietness, landscape, and a culture that values honesty and self-sufficiency over performance.

Practical facts

  • CapitalHelsinki
  • LanguagesFinnish, Swedish
  • Currencyeuro (EUR)
  • Area303,960 km²
  • Plug typeType C/F
  • Drives on theright
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Quick answers

What is Finland's Human Development Index?

Finland's Human Development Index is 0.948 for 2023 (UNDP Human Development Report 2025), ranked #12 of 193 by UNDP.

Is Finland safe?

Finland scores 1.48 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #9 of 161 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.

How expensive is Finland?

Numbeo's cost-of-living index puts Finland at 69.0 (New York = 100); that is #130 cheapest of 143 countries with data.

What is life expectancy in Finland?

Life expectancy at birth in Finland is 82.3 yrs (World Bank), ranked #26 of 195 countries.

What is the quality of life in Finland?

Numbeo's quality-of-life index scores Finland at 204.5, ranked #6 of 87 countries with data. It composites purchasing power, safety, healthcare, cost of living, commute and pollution from resident surveys, so it reflects what residents report rather than what an economy produces.