Finland: housing

Are house prices falling in Finland?

Prices of old dwellings in housing companies were 3.3% lower in August 2026 than a year earlier, according to Statistics Finland's preliminary data. Prices were unchanged from July. They fell in all large towns except Oulu, where they rose 2.0%, and fell most in Helsinki (3.7%) and Turku (3.3%).

The index covers resales of flats and terraced houses owned through housing companies, the most common form of home ownership in Finland, and is based on sales made through estate agents. In August, 8.5% fewer such sales were made than a year earlier. New-build prices are published separately. The figures are preliminary and revised the following month.

Official sources: Statistics Finland: Prices of old dwellings, August 2026 · Statistics Finland: Prices of dwellings in housing companies

How much are rents rising in Finland?

Rents of non-subsidised dwellings rose 0.1% in July to September 2026 from a year earlier, according to Statistics Finland, published on 15 October 2026. In Greater Helsinki they fell 0.3%, while in the rest of Finland they rose 0.4%. Rents of government-subsidised dwellings rose faster: 1.7% in Greater Helsinki and 1.4% elsewhere.

Among towns, non-subsidised rents rose most in Rovaniemi (2.0%) and fell most in Porvoo (1.2%). The statistics measure changes in rents for comparable dwellings and are published every quarter.

Official sources: Statistics Finland: Rents of dwellings, Q3 2026 · Statistics Finland: Rents of dwellings

How many homeless people are there in Finland?

There were 4,579 homeless people living alone in Finland in November 2025, 773 more than a year earlier, according to the Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (Varke). Long-term homelessness rose 29% to 1,306 people. The number rose for the second year in a row, after more than ten years of decline.

Most homeless people (64%) were staying temporarily with friends or relatives; 17%, or 758 people, were living outside, in stairwells or in shelters. One-fifth were in Helsinki. The count is a one-day snapshot reported by municipalities each November, and homelessness among young people, women and people of foreign background increased.

Official sources: Varke: Homeless people 2025

How many people rent in Finland?

1.03 million households lived in rented dwellings at the end of 2024, 10,000 more than a year earlier, according to Statistics Finland. About 3.7 million people lived in owner-occupied homes and 1.6 million in rented ones.

Renting is most common among the young: 83% of young people's households rented, compared with 36% where the oldest member was 30 to 59 and 21% where the oldest was 60 or over. The share of households renting has risen by five percentage points since 2014. More than half of renting households live in the ten largest towns.

Official sources: Statistics Finland: Households living in rented dwellings, 2024

What share of Finland is urban?

According to the UN Population Division, the share of people living in urban areas in Finland was 74.5% in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 69.6%, and Finland placed 20th highest of 52. Worldwide: 59th of 193.

What share of Finland's city dwellers live in slums?

In 2022, the share of city dwellers living in slums in Finland was 0.0%, according to UN-Habitat. The figure has been the same every year since 2006. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 0.3%, and Finland placed 33rd highest of 43. Worldwide: 155th of 170.

What share of people in Finland have electricity?

According to the World Bank, the share of people with access to electricity in Finland was 100.0% in 2024. The figure has been the same every year since 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 100.0%; Finland is 1st highest of 52. Worldwide: 1st of 193.

What is access to safe water in Finland?

The latest figure from WHO and UNICEF, for 2024, is 99.6%. No year since 2005 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: 96.7%; Finland is 14th highest of 51. Of 134 countries with 2024 data, 18th highest.

What is access to sanitation in Finland?

According to WHO and UNICEF, the share of people using safely managed sanitation in Finland was 90.1% in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 90.2%, and Finland placed 24th highest of 45. Of 134 countries with 2024 data, 36th highest.

What share of homes in Finland cook with clean fuels?

According to the WHO, the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Finland was 100.0% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 1st highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 99.0%. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 1st highest.