Finland: health and care

What is the life expectancy in Finland?

Life expectancy at birth in 2025 was 79.8 years for boys and 84.7 years for girls, according to provisional figures from Statistics Finland. The figure for boys was the highest ever measured in Finland, up 0.17 years on 2024; for girls it fell by 0.03 years.

Life expectancy at birth is the average number of years a newborn would live if death rates at each age stayed as they were in that year; it is not a forecast. Statistics Finland reports that 59,209 people died in 2025, 942 more than a year earlier, and that infant mortality went down slightly.

Official sources: Statistics Finland: Life expectancy of boys highest in measuring history

What is the birth rate in Finland?

The total fertility rate in Finland rose to 1.30 children per woman in 2025, from 1.25 in 2024, according to Statistics Finland. There were 45,832 live births in 2025.

The total fertility rate estimates how many children a woman would have if the birth rates of that year held throughout her life. Among the largest towns, the rate over 2022 to 2025 was lowest in Turku and Tampere (1.03 each) and Helsinki (1.08). Statistics Finland reports that 18% of children born in 2025 had a foreign-language-speaking mother.

Official sources: Statistics Finland: Slight rise in the birth rate in 2025 · Statistics Finland: Births

How many people die in Finland each year?

59,209 people died in Finland in 2025, 942 more than in 2024, according to Statistics Finland. The general mortality rate rose by 1% from the year before. With 45,832 births in 2025, deaths outnumbered births, and Finland's population grew only because of net immigration.

Deaths are counted from the Population Information System. The number of deaths rises over time as the population ages even if death rates at each age fall, which is why Statistics Finland also reports age-standardised mortality. Causes of death are published separately, about ten months after the end of the year.

Official sources: Statistics Finland: Deaths and life expectancy 2025 · Statistics Finland: Deaths

What are the main causes of death in Finland?

Age-standardised mortality fell by over 7% in 2024, with fewer deaths from diseases of the circulatory system, memory disorders and cancers, according to Statistics Finland's causes of death statistics. Only 1% of deaths were caused by COVID-19. Deaths from alcohol and accidents also fell, while suicide mortality was unchanged.

Circulatory diseases, cancers and memory disorders such as Alzheimer's disease are the largest groups of causes of death in Finland. Age-standardised mortality removes the effect of an ageing population, so it can fall even when the number of deaths rises. Statistics Finland reports 2,343 accidental deaths in 2024. Figures for 2025 are due later in 2026.

Official sources: Statistics Finland: Mortality decreased in all largest cause of death groups in 2024 · Statistics Finland: Causes of death

What is life expectancy in Finland?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2024, is 82.3 years. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 15th highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 79.5 years. Worldwide: 24th of 193.

What is the infant mortality rate in Finland?

The UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation puts the infant mortality rate in Finland at 1.9 per 1,000 in 2024. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 45th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 3.4 per 1,000. World rank, highest first: 185th of 192.

What is the maternal mortality rate in Finland?

8.0 per 100,000: that is the maternal mortality ratio in Finland for 2023, according to the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 7.0 per 100,000 (2006) to 9.0 per 100,000 (2020). Europe & Central Asia median: 6.0 per 100,000; Finland is 20th highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 150th of 192.

What is Finland's health spending?

10.5% of GDP: that is current health spending in Finland for 2023, according to the WHO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 8th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 7.5% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 22nd of 191.

How much of health care in Finland do patients pay for?

According to the WHO, out-of-pocket health spending in Finland was 14.1% in 2023. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 22.0%; Finland is 38th highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 146th of 191.

How many doctors does Finland have?

In 2021, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Finland was 3.6 per 1,000, according to the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.4 per 1,000 (2013) to 3.8 per 1,000 (2009). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 3.7 per 1,000, and Finland placed 25th highest of 44. Worldwide: 34th of 123.

How many hospital beds per person does Finland have?

According to the WHO, hospital beds per 1,000 people in Finland was 2.6 per 1,000 in 2022. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 4.3 per 1,000; Finland is 37th highest of 42. Of 110 countries with 2022 data, 60th highest.

What is the measles vaccination rate in Finland?

The latest figure from WHO and UNICEF, for 2024, is 94.0%. The peak was 98.0% in 2007 and the low 93.0% in 2021. It is 24th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 94.0%. World rank, highest first: 68th of 191.