10 answers, 4 from Finland's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
About 26,500 new upper secondary school graduates completed the matriculation examination in spring 2026, about 1,100 more than in spring 2025, according to the Matriculation Examination Board. 50,400 candidates registered for the spring exams, with about 145,000 registrations across subjects.
The registrations include candidates at different stages of the exam and those retaking or adding subjects. The board said one certificate had 14 laudatur grades, the top mark. Results were sent to schools on 12 May 2026; detailed statistics, including grade boundaries, are published on the board's statistics pages.
149,000 people applied in the spring 2026 second joint application to universities and universities of applied sciences, and 58,900, or 40%, were offered a place, according to the Finnish National Agency for Education. 33,000 were admitted to universities of applied sciences and 25,900 to universities.
More than 56,000 starting places were on offer in Finnish- and Swedish-language programmes beginning in autumn 2026, about 1,000 more than a year earlier. The first joint application in January covers mainly English-taught programmes. Many applicants apply again in later years, so the share admitted in one round understates the share who eventually get a place.
1,393,700 pupils and students were in education leading to a qualification or degree in Finland in 2025, according to Statistics Finland. There were 304,300 new students and 244,800 qualifications or degrees were completed.
Numbers in comprehensive school fell 2% and in vocational education 8%, while general upper secondary rose 2%, universities of applied sciences 4% and universities 2%. Women made up 52% of all students. There were 216,300 foreign-language-speaking students, with 146 different native languages.
Current expenditure on education totalled EUR 15.2 billion in 2024, according to Statistics Finland. In real terms it was 0.5% higher than in 2023, while spending per student fell 0.3%.
Current expenditure covers running costs such as staff, premises and teaching materials, but not capital investment. Statistics Finland reports that real education spending fell during the 2010s and has grown since 2018.
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts net primary school enrolment in Finland at 98.6% in 2017. Since 2005 it has ranged from 96.7% (2006) to 99.4% (2014). It is 8th highest of 45 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 95.7%. World rank, highest first: 17th of 134.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts gross secondary school enrolment in Finland at 142.4% in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2018, at 153.7%; its low point was 2009, at 107.7%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 101.1%, and Finland placed 2nd highest of 34. World rank, highest first: 2nd of 100.
The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2024, is 110.3%. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 2nd highest of 34 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 71.1%. World rank, highest first: 3rd of 90.
In 2022, government spending on education in Finland was 6.4% of GDP, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Since 2005 it has ranged from 5.7% of GDP (2007) to 7.2% of GDP (2012). Europe & Central Asia median: 4.5% of GDP; Finland is 4th highest of 45. Of 155 countries with 2022 data, 16th highest.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the number of primary pupils per teacher in Finland was 14 in 2017. The peak was 16 in 2005 and the low 13 in 2013. It is 18th highest of 39 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 13. Of 130 countries with 2017 data, 94th highest.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the primary completion rate in Finland was 97.2% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 98.2%, and Finland placed 20th highest of 30. Worldwide: 45th of 104.
Read on 14 October 2026. Definitions · Report an error