The Human Truth Foundation

Finland

https://www.humantruth.info/finland.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

#finland #scandinavia

Finland
Republic of Finland
Flag
StatusIndependent State
Social and Moral Index5th best
CapitalHelsinki
Land Area 303 890km21
LocationEurope, Scandinavia
Population5.5m2
Life Expectancy82.04yrs (2017)3
GNI$49 452 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 CodesFI, FIN, 2465
Internet Domain.fi6
CurrencyEuro (EUR)7
Telephone+3588

1. Overview

#russia #sweden

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 won its complete independence in 1917. During World War II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and resist invasions by the Soviet Union - albeit with some loss of territory. In the subsequent half century, the Finns made a remarkable transformation from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy; per capita income is now among the highest in Western Europe. A member of the European Union since 1995, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January 1999. In the 21st century, the key features of Finland's modern welfare state are a high standard of education, equality promotion, and national social security system - currently challenged by an aging population and the fluctuations of an export-driven economy.

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)9

Book CoverFinland is the deep north, with forests and lakes as far as the eye can see, and revitalising crisp air. Choose between summer´s endless light or winter´s eerie frozen magic. There´s something pure in the Finnish air and a spirit that´s incredibly vital and exciting. It´s an invitation to get out and active year-round. A post-sauna dip in an ice hole under the majestic aurora borealis (Northern Lights), after whooshing across the snow behind a team of huskies, isn´t a typical winter´s day just anywhere. And canoeing or hiking under the midnight sun through pine forests populated by wolves and bears isn´t your typical tanning-oil summer either.

Although socially and economically in the vanguard of nations, large parts of Finland remain gloriously remote; trendsetting modern Helsinki is counterbalanced by vast forested wildernesses elsewhere.

Nordic peace in lakeside cottages, summer sunshine on beer terraces, avant-garde design, and cafes warm with baking aromas are other facets of Suomi (Finnish) seduction. As are the independent, loyal, warm and welcoming Finns, who tend to do their own thing and are much the better for it.

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)10

2. Finland National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Value11
1Switzerland0.962
2Norway0.961
3Iceland0.959
...
8Ireland0.945
9Germany0.942
10Netherlands0.941
11Finland0.940
12Singapore0.939
13=Belgium0.937
13=New Zealand0.937
15Canada0.936
Europe Avg0.87
World Avg0.72
q=191.
Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
PPP $11
1Liechtenstein$146 830
2Singapore$90 919
3Qatar$87 134
...
19San Marino$52 654
20Belgium$52 293
21Andorra$51 167
22Finland$49 452
23Australia$49 238
24Canada$46 808
25Saudi Arabia$46 112
26France$45 937
Europe Avg$40 512
World Avg$20 136
q=193.
Social & Moral
Development Index
12
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank12
1Denmark24.9
2Norway25.3
3Sweden27.7
4Netherlands29.0
5Finland29.2
6Iceland29.9
7New Zealand31.5
8Switzerland32.6
9Australia34.3
10Austria34.5
11Ireland35.1
12Canada35.5
Europe Avg55.7
World Avg89.9
q=199.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Finland's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen

Population:

Finland's population is predicted to rise to 5.619 million by 2030. This rise is despite a low fertility rate, meaning, that this country is helping to alleviate problems with growing population in neighbouring countries by accepting immigrants, very likely as a requirement of maintaining an active workforce. This country has a fertility rate of 1.32. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate (two new children for each set of parents who die), which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.13

Population2
Pos.2018
Population2
1China1.4b
2India1.4b
3USA327.1m
...
112Turkmenistan5.9m
113Singapore5.8m
114Denmark5.8m
115Finland5.5m
116Slovakia5.5m
117Norway5.3m
118Congo, (Brazzaville)5.2m
119Costa Rica5.0m
World Avg39.0m
q=195.
Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
17France82.5
18New Zealand82.5
19Israel82.3
20Finland82.0
21Ireland82.0
22Belgium81.9
23Netherlands81.7
24Austria81.6
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
14
Pos.202214
1US Virgin Islands2.00
2Ecuador2.00
3Nepal2.01
...
116Canada1.33
117Marshall Islands2.67
118=Mauritius1.32
118=Finland1.32
120Thailand1.32
121Cyprus1.31
122Luxembourg1.31
123=Curaço1.30
World Avg2.47
q=208.
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Lower is better
15
Pos.2016
Per 10015
1Uganda04.3
2Mali04.5
3=Chad04.7
...
177Spain41.4
178Netherlands41.9
179Slovenia42.7
180Finland43.3
181Hong Kong43.7
182Portugal44.7
183Germany47.7
184Italy48.6
World Avg18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants16
Pos.2017
%16
1UAE88.4%
2Kuwait75.5%
3Qatar65.2%
...
75Armenia6.5%
76Bhutan6.5%
77Macedonia6.3%
78Finland6.2%
79Marshall Islands6.2%
80Turkey6.0%
81Syria5.5%
82Thailand5.2%
World Avg9.4%
q=195.
Emigrants17
Pos.2010
%17
1Dominica104.8%
2Palestine68.4%
3Samoa67.3%
...
91Kiribati6.5%
92Bhutan6.3%
93Tunisia6.3%
94Finland6.2%
95Singapore6.1%
96Guatemala6.1%
97Brunei6.0%
98Netherlands6.0%
World Avg11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #finland #finland_freedom #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)18
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank18
1Sweden6.1
2Denmark8.6
3Norway9.0
...
8Austria14.9
9Australia16.0
10Luxembourg16.2
11Finland17.4
12Belgium18.4
13Germany21.0
Europe Avg47.4
World Avg86.6
q=199.
When it comes to ensuring human rights and freedom, Finland leads the world, setting excellent examples. Finland does the best for its average Freedom in the World rating. It comes in the best 20 in supporting press freedom19, opposing gender inequality20, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports21, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms22, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)23, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice24 and in eliminating modern slavery25. And finally, it does better than average in LGBT equality26, its nominal commitment to Human Rights27 (but bad for Europe) and in freethought28 (but bad for Europe). Human Rights Watch's 2018 report states that Finland's support of women's rights at home and internationally has been notable29.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

5. Finland's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #finland #germany #health #life_expectancy #longevity #luxembourg #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #suicide #vaccines

Compared to Europe (2025)30
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank30
1Monaco14.3
2Liechtenstein30.1
3Isle of Man32.1
...
7Sweden43.3
8=France44.1
9Iceland45.9
10Finland46.9
11Denmark47.2
12Switzerland48.5
13Netherlands50.2
14Belgium50.7
15Ireland53.2
Europe Avg86.9
q=52.
Health (2025)30
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank30
1Monaco14.3
2Liechtenstein30.1
3Isle of Man32.1
...
9=Japan44.1
9=France44.1
11Iceland45.9
12Finland46.9
13Denmark47.2
14Hong Kong48.2
15Switzerland48.5
16Australia49.3
World Avg96.7
q=212.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and The Isle of Man31. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, Angola and Nigeria31.

21 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Balkans31, whereas the worst are Africa, Micronesia and Melanesia31.

For more, see:

Health:

Finland does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Finland comes in the best 20 in terms of its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance32, its immunizations take-up33 (amongst the best in Europe) and in its adolescent birth rate34. It does better than average for its average life expectancy11. But, there's bad news too. Finland does worse than average when it comes to its fertility rate14, its smoking rate35 (still good for Europe) and in its alcohol consumption rate36. And finally, it falls into the worst 20 when it comes to its suicide rate37. The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the last 40 years. Life expectancy in Finland improved by +6.9yrs in the 30 years from 1990, less than the global average of +7.9yrs. Finland had the 3rd-lowest average fertility rate in the world throughout the 1970s (after Germany and Luxembourg). Its peak fertility rate was 2.72 in 1960.

Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
17France82.5
18New Zealand82.5
19Israel82.3
20Finland82.0
21Ireland82.0
22Belgium81.9
23Netherlands81.7
24Austria81.6
Europe Avg78.36
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Alcohol Consumption
Lower is better
36
Pos.2016
Per Capita36
1Bangladesh0.0
2Kuwait0.0
3Libya0.0
...
156=Cook Islands10.6
156=Australia10.6
158New Zealand10.7
159=Finland10.7
160Uruguay10.8
161=Cyprus10.8
162Serbia11.1
163Belarus11.2
Europe Avg10.3
World Avg6.2
q=189.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
14
Pos.202214
1US Virgin Islands2.00
2Ecuador2.00
3Nepal2.01
...
116Canada1.33
117Marshall Islands2.67
118=Mauritius1.32
118=Finland1.32
120Thailand1.32
121Cyprus1.31
122Luxembourg1.31
123=Curaço1.30
Europe Avg1.53
World Avg2.47
q=208.
Smoking Rates
Lower is better
35
Pos.201435
1Guinea 15
2Solomon Islands 26
3Kiribati 28
...
123Algeria1 024
124Latvia1 041
125USA1 083
126Finland1 083
127Portugal1 113
128Moldova1 114
129Lithuania1 124
130Uruguay1 135
Europe Avg1 648
World Avg 819
q=182.
Suicide Rate37
Pos.2013
Per 100k37
1Haiti0
2Grenada0
3Egypt0.1
...
76Croatia36.4
77Estonia37.9
78Serbia38.1
79Finland39
80Belgium39.1
81Slovenia44
82Ukraine44.8
83Latvia48.2
Europe Avg26.99
World Avg20.93
q=91.
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance
Lower is better
32
Pos.2017
Rank32
1Sweden1
2Ireland2
3Denmark3
...
9Netherlands9
10USA10
11Luxembourg11
12Finland12
13Australia13
14UAE14
15Saudi Arabia15
16Belgium16
Europe Avg47.4
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Overweight Adults
Lower is better
38
Pos.2016
%38
1Vietnam18.3
2India19.7
3Bangladesh20.0
...
117=Romania57.7
118Netherlands57.8
119=Latvia57.8
120Finland57.9
121Macedonia58.1
122Nicaragua58.2
123=Norway58.3
123=Poland58.3
Europe Avg58.5
World Avg49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate
Lower is better
34
Pos.2022
Per 100034
1Hong Kong1.6
2Denmark1.8
3S. Korea2.1
...
12Sweden3.3
13San Marino3.7
14Italy3.9
15Finland4.1
16Luxembourg4.2
17Slovenia4.4
18Iceland5.1
19Belgium5.1
Europe Avg11.4
World Avg43.8
q=195.
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015
Higher is better
33
Pos.2015
Avg %33
1=Hungary99.0
1=China99.0
3Uzbekistan98.9
...
10St Lucia98.2
11Bahrain98.2
12Iran98.1
13Finland98.1
14Saudi Arabia98.0
15=Luxembourg98.0
15=Oman98.0
17Antigua & Barbuda98.0
Europe Avg92.7
World Avg88.3
q=194.

6. Finland's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#angola #biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #energy #finland #food #iceland #meat #over-exploitation #sustainability #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Europe (2023)39
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank39
1Italy57.4
2Greece61.5
3Denmark64.3
...
28Czechia82.6
29Netherlands82.8
30Macedonia85.0
31Finland86.6
32=Belgium89.4
33Sweden89.5
34Poland92.8
35Latvia93.1
36Lithuania93.3
Europe Avg80.6
q=43.
Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)39
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank39
1Uruguay46.1
2Cuba52.0
3Fiji53.7
...
70New Zealand85.9
71Bahrain86.2
72Ghana86.4
73Finland86.6
74Lesotho86.8
75Indonesia87.1
76Thailand87.9
77Singapore89.2
World Avg94.3
q=190.
With regard to its responsibility towards the environment, Finland is 73rd in the world. This rank is derived from 7 data sets. Finland does the second-best in terms of its score on the Green Future Index40. It comes in the best 20 in terms of its environmental performance41. It does better than average when it comes to how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity. But, there's bad news too. Finland does worse than average when it comes to energy to GDP efficiency42, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population43, reducing annual meat consumption per person44 and in its forested percent change 2000-202045.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020
Higher is better
45
Pos.Total45
1Guernsey82.6%
2Bahrain75.2%
3Iceland64.7%
...
135=Kiribati0.0%
135=Saudi Arabia0.0%
137Nepal-0.1%
138Finland-0.2%
139Canada-0.3%
140Guadeloupe-0.5%
141Solomon Islands-0.6%
142Western Sahara-0.6%
Europe Avg8.2%
World Avg-0.1%
q=234.
Environmental Performance
Higher is better
41
Pos.201841
1Switzerland87.4
2France84.0
3Denmark81.6
...
7Luxembourg79.1
8Austria79.0
9Ireland78.8
10Finland78.6
11Iceland78.6
12Spain78.4
13Germany78.4
14Norway77.5
Europe Avg69.6
World Avg56.4
q=180.
Energy to GDP Efficiency
Higher is better42
Pos.201442
1Hong Kong26.32
2Sri Lanka20.00
3Panama17.86
...
86Honduras06.80
87Bulgaria06.54
88Qatar06.49
89Finland06.33
90=Oman06.29
90=S. Korea06.29
92Estonia06.13
93Mongolia06.06
Europe Avg09.80
World Avg09.29
q=119.
Convention on Biological Diversity
Earlier is better
Pos.Total
Signed
1=China1993 Dec 29
1=Guinea1993 Dec 29
1=Cook Islands1993 Dec 29
...
68Netherlands1994 Oct 10
69=Pakistan1994 Oct 24
69=Kenya1994 Oct 24
71Finland1994 Oct 25
72=Estonia1994 Oct 25
73Greece1994 Nov 02
74Grenada1994 Nov 09
75Kiribati1994 Nov 14
Europe Avg1899 Dec 30
World Avg1899 Dec 30
q=197.
Rational Beliefs on the Environment
Higher is better43
Pos.2011
%43
1Argentina78.3%
2Greece77.6%
3Brazil77.1%
...
120Pakistan23.2%
121Liberia23.1%
122Netherlands23.0%
123Finland22.9%
124Congo, DR22.8%
125UK22.6%
126Malawi22.0%
127UAE20.8%
Europe Avg33.6%
World Avg39.9%
q=145.
Meat Consumption
Lower is better
44
Pos.2021
kg44
1Congo, DR03.0
2Burundi03.5
3Bangladesh04.3
...
129Estonia72.1
130Guyana72.4
131Latvia74.0
132Finland74.0
133Italy74.3
134Norway74.7
135Mexico75.4
136Cyprus75.8
Europe Avg71.1
World Avg52.5
q=185.

In the 2010s, meat consumption per person in Finland was well above the global average (of 49kgs per year), putting unnecessary strain on water supplies and the environment.44

Green Future Index
Higher is better
40
Pos.2023
Score40
1Iceland6.7
2Finland6.7
3Norway6.4
4=Sweden6.3
4=Denmark6.3
6Netherlands6.2
7UK6.1
8S. Korea6.0
9France6.0
10=Spain5.9
10=Germany5.9
12Belgium5.8
Europe Avg5.6
World Avg4.8
q=76.

The 2023 edition of the Green Futures Index scored Finland 3rd-best in its recent efforts to reduce its carbon emissions (only Iceland and Angola did better).46

7. Finland's Modernity and Learning

#australia #canada #education #english #finland #intelligence #maths #modernity #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2020)47
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank47
1Finland7.1
2Belgium12.9
3Denmark13.6
4Iceland15.0
5Sweden15.8
6Germany16.3
7Switzerland17.4
8Estonia17.9
9Norway18.3
10UK19.4
11Netherlands19.5
12Ireland19.8
13Austria19.9
Europe Avg39.8
q=45.
Modernity & Learning (2020)47
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank47
1Finland7.1
2Belgium12.9
3Denmark13.6
4Iceland15.0
5New Zealand15.2
6Sweden15.8
7Germany16.3
8Australia16.6
9Switzerland17.4
10Estonia17.9
11Norway18.3
12UK19.4
World Avg86.3
q=190.

Modernity and Education:

In 1993, education in Finland was the 3rd-longest in the world, at 15.0 years, beaten only by Australia and Canada. In the 2000s, the expected duration fell by almost a year - it was one of only 12 countries to see a reduction in that decade. 48

Research & Development
Higher is better
Pos.2016
% RDP PPP
1S. Korea4.2949
2Israel4.1149
3Japan3.5849
4Finland3.1749
5Sweden3.1649
6Denmark3.0549
7Taiwan3.0149
8Austria3.0050
9Switzerland2.9651
10Germany2.8449
11USA2.7452
12Belgium2.4649
Europe Avg1.32
World Avg0.84
q=126.
Secondary Education
Higher is better
53
Pos.201853
1=Luxembourg100.0%
1=Estonia100.0%
1=Austria100.0%
1=Canada100.0%
1=Finland100.0%
1=Iceland100.0%
7Uzbekistan99.9%
8Czechia99.8%
9Slovakia99.3%
10Latvia99.2%
11Kazakhstan98.6%
12Kyrgyzstan98.4%
Europe Avg88.3%
World Avg63.0%
q=169.
Length of Schooling
Higher is better
54
Pos.2021
Years54
1Australia21.1
2New Zealand20.3
3Greece20.0
4Belgium19.6
5Sweden19.4
6Iceland19.2
7Finland19.1
8Ireland18.9
9Denmark18.7
10Netherlands18.7
11Grenada18.7
12Turkey18.3
Europe Avg16.1
World Avg13.5
q=193.
Intellectual Endeavours
Lower is better
32
Pos.2017
Rank32
1Ukraine1
2Czechia2
3Hungary3
4Denmark4
5UK5
6Austria6
7Finland7
8Netherlands8
9Belgium9
10Slovenia10
11Switzerland11
12New Zealand12
Europe Avg31.3
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Maths, Science & Reading
Higher is better
55
Pos.2015
Score55
1Singapore1655
2Hong Kong1598
3Japan1586
4Macau1582
5Estonia1573
6=Taiwan1571
6=Canada1571
8Finland1568
9S. Korea1557
10China154356
11=Ireland1528
11=Slovenia1528
Europe Avg1417
World Avg1389
q=70.
Religiosity
Lower is better
57
Pos.2018
%57
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
...
7=UK10
7=Sweden10
7=Japan10
7=Finland10
11Latvia11
12=France11
12=Belgium11
14Austria12
Europe Avg25.8
World Avg54.3
q=106.
IQ
Higher is better58
Pos.200658
1=Hong Kong108
1=Singapore108
3S. Korea106
...
15=New Zealand99
15=Poland99
15=Germany99
15=Finland99
15=Estonia99
15=Sweden99
15=Belgium99
15=Canada99
Europe Avg96.6
World Avg85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users
Higher is better
59
Pos.201659
1Iceland100%
2Faroe Islands99%
3Norway98%
...
10Sweden93%
11Monaco93%
12UK93%
13Finland93%
14Qatar92%
15UAE92%
16Bahrain92%
17Estonia91%
Europe Avg76.7%
World Avg48.1%
q=201.
IPv6 Uptake
Higher is better
60
Pos.2017
Ratio60
1Belgium55.4
2Germany41.8
3Switzerland35.1
...
18Norway14.7
19Australia14.6
20Trinidad & Tobago14.5
21Finland14.1
22Brazil13.9
23Netherlands10.5
24Czechia10.1
25New Zealand9.7
Europe Avg8.11
World Avg3.82
q=176.
Digital Quality of Life
Higher is better
61
Pos.202461
1Germany77.9%
2Finland76.9%
3France73.9%
4Netherlands72.6%
5Denmark72.3%
6Austria70.8%
7Spain70.5%
8Luxembourg70.0%
9UK69.3%
10Estonia69.3%
11Switzerland69.0%
12Sweden68.7%
Europe Avg61.0%
World Avg48.4%
q=121.

8. National Culture

#charity #corruption #denmark #finland #happiness #morals #politics

World Giving Index
Higher is better
62
Pos.2022
%62
1Indonesia68.0
2Kenya61.0
3USA59.0
...
74=Chile38.0
74=Mali38.0
76Switzerland37.0
77=Finland37.0
77=Hong Kong37.0
77=Cameroon37.0
77=Iraq37.0
77=Croatia37.0
Europe Avg39.0
World Avg39.6
q=125.
Corruption
Higher is better
63
Pos.2022
Points63
1Denmark90.0
2=Finland87.0
2=New Zealand87.0
4Norway84.0
5=Singapore83.0
5=Sweden83.0
7Switzerland82.0
8Netherlands80.0
9Germany79.0
10=Ireland77.0
10=Luxembourg77.0
12Hong Kong76.0
Europe Avg57.61
World Avg42.98
q=180.

When the Corruption Perception Index was launched in 1995, Finland scored the 2nd-best, after Denmark, and maintained the 2nd-best average score of the 1990s, and then topped the chart throughout most of the 2000s. In the 2010s, it still had on average the 3rd-best score.

Happiness
Higher is better
64
Pos.2024
Score64
1Finland7.7
2Denmark7.5
3Iceland7.5
4Sweden7.3
5Netherlands7.3
6Costa Rica7.3
7Norway7.3
8Israel7.2
9Luxembourg7.1
10Mexico7.0
11Australia7.0
12New Zealand7.0
Europe Avg6.37
World Avg5.58
q=147.
Throughout the 2010s, Finland was on average the 2nd happiest country in the world, ascending to the happiest from 2017 to the latest data in 2024!
Creativity & Culture
Lower is better
32
Pos.2017
Rank32
1Belgium1
2Netherlands2
3Estonia3
...
10Luxembourg10
11UK11
12Portugal12
13Finland13
14France14
15Germany15
16Slovenia16
17Latvia17
Europe Avg35.0
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Open Trading, Aid & Development
Lower is better
32
Pos.2017
Rank32
1Ireland1
2Denmark2
3Sweden3
4Netherlands4
5Switzerland5
6Serbia6
7Belgium7
8Norway8
9Finland9
10Croatia10
11Georgia11
12Philippines12
Europe Avg42.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.

9. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index
Lower is better
65
Pos.2023
Score65
1Iceland1.12
2Denmark1.31
3Ireland1.31
...
10Switzerland1.34
11Canada1.35
12Czechia1.38
13Finland1.40
14Croatia1.45
15Germany1.46
16Netherlands1.49
17Bhutan1.50
Europe Avg1.70
World Avg2.07
q=163.
Peacekeeping & Security
Lower is better
32
Pos.2017
Rank32
1Samoa1
2S. Africa2
3Tunisia3
...
49Timor-Leste (E. Timor)49
50Ireland50
51Norway51
52Finland52
53France53
54Australia54
55Italy55
56Mauritius56
Europe Avg84.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Refugees & UN Treaties
Lower is better
32
Pos.2017
Rank32
1Austria1
2Germany2
3Netherlands3
4Sweden4
5Malta5
6Australia6
7Norway7
8Finland8
9Denmark9
10Switzerland10
11Canada11
12UK12
Europe Avg37.8
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Impact of Terrorism
Lower is better
66
Pos.2019
Score66
1Togo0.00
2Mongolia0.00
3Swaziland0.00
...
67Austria1.66
68Argentina1.68
69Madagascar1.96
70Finland2.03
71Haiti2.18
72Kosovo2.26
73Japan2.29
74Netherlands2.35
Europe Avg1.62
World Avg2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #finland #health #inequality #life_expectancy #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy
Lower is better67
Pos.201967
1Iceland2.40
2=Singapore2.50
2=Hong Kong2.50
4Sweden2.90
5=Slovenia2.90
5=Japan2.90
7Finland3.00
8=Czechia3.00
8=Norway3.00
8=S. Korea3.00
8=Spain3.00
12Netherlands3.10
Europe Avg4.86
World Avg14.59
q=184.
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient)
Lower is better
68
Pos.2023
%68
1Slovakia24.1%69
2Slovenia24.3%69
3Belarus24.4%70
...
13=Belgium26.6%69
14Tonga27.1%69
15Algeria27.6%71
16=Finland27.7%69
16=Norway27.7%72
18Kiribati27.8%72
19Armenia27.9%73
20Denmark28.3%69
Europe Avg30.7%
World Avg36.5%
q=167.

Finland had the lowest income inequality across the 1980s and 1990s, of all countries. By the 2010s, measurements came to include over 50 more countries, and it dropped to 8th.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #secularisation

Religiosity (2018)57
Pos.Lower is better
%57
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
...
7=UK10
7=Sweden10
7=Japan10
7=Finland10
11Latvia11
12=France11
12=Belgium11
14Austria12
15Hungary14
16Albania15
17=Lithuania16
17=S. Korea16
17=Russia16
20Australia18
21=Vietnam18
22Bulgaria19
World Avg54.3
q=106.
Disbelief In God (2007)74
Pos.Higher is better
%74
1Vietnam81
2Japan65
3Sweden64
...
15Hungary32
16Norway31
17S. Korea30
18Finland28
19Russia27
20Australia25
21Taiwan24
22=New Zealand22
22=Canada22
24Latvia20
25=Ukraine20
25=Mongolia20
27Austria18
28=Slovakia17
28=Switzerland17
28=Belarus17
World Avg9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below75:

Christian81.6%
Muslim0.8%
Hindu0.1%
Buddhist0.1%
Folk Religion0.1%
Jewish0.1%
Unaffiliated17.6%

By adding up the Pew Forum data for the major monotheistic religions we can see that these make up 82.5% of the population. Yet there are simply too many who disbelieve in God for this to be true (28%). This is due to the so-called 'Census Effect', whereby many put down a religion for cultural reasons rather than because it reflects their beliefs. In highly Christian countries, as many as half of those who say they're a Christian lack any connection to a Church, and do not hold Christian beliefs (such as believing in God!).

It appears that when asked "What religion are you" many give pollsters the 'correct' answer despite how they actually feel, and despite what they actually believe. Although 82.8% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 10% say that they are religious when the question is phrased as "Is religion an important part of your daily life?".

For more on this phenomenon, see:

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Lutheran Church of Finland 82.5%, Orthodox Church 1.1%, other Christian 1.1%, other 0.1%, none 15.1% (2006)76.

Links: