Health in Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi, Finland: official figures
Life expectancy at birth was 81.7 years in 2024 (82.2 for Finland); the lowest of 5 regions in Finland.
How healthy are people in Northern and Eastern Finland?
THL's age-standardised morbidity index, which combines seven major disease groups, stood at 111.8 in Northern and Eastern Finland (Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi) in 2024 against 100 for the whole country; that is the highest among the five NUTS 2 major regions.
Source: Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Sotkanet · saved copyHow often do people see a doctor in Northern and Eastern Finland?
Residents of Northern and Eastern Finland made 1,062 visits to a primary care physician per 1,000 people in 2025 (2nd lowest among the five NUTS 2 major regions; Finland 1,056), down 12% from 1,203 in 2020.
Source: Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Sotkanet · saved copyHow long is the wait for a doctor in Northern and Eastern Finland?
Patients in Northern and Eastern Finland waited more than a week for 49.3% of elective primary care physician visits in 2024 (2nd shortest of the 4 with data; Finland 48.7%).
Source: Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Sotkanet · saved copyWhat is the flu vaccination rate in Northern and Eastern Finland?
Flu vaccine uptake among over-65s in the Northern and Eastern Finland major region reached 59.5% in 2025, 3rd highest among the five NUTS 2 major regions.
Source: Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Sotkanet · saved copyHow many people smoke in Northern and Eastern Finland?
In 2024, 9.4% of adults in Northern and Eastern Finland said they smoked every day (2nd highest among the five NUTS 2 major regions; Finland 9.1%).
Source: Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Sotkanet · saved copyWhat is the obesity rate in Northern and Eastern Finland?
Obesity affected 26.4% of the adult population of Northern and Eastern Finland in 2024, 2nd highest among the five NUTS 2 major regions.
Source: Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Sotkanet · saved copyHow much do people drink in Northern and Eastern Finland?
In 2024, risky drinking (AUDIT-C) was reported by 30.1% of adults in Northern and Eastern Finland (Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi).
Source: Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Sotkanet · saved copyHow much alcohol is sold in Northern and Eastern Finland?
Shops and licensed premises in Northern and Eastern Finland (Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi) sold 7.9 litres of pure alcohol per resident aged 18 or over in 2025, above the national figure of 7.2.
Source: Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Sotkanet · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in Northern and Eastern Finland?
The suicide rate in Northern and Eastern Finland (Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi) was 15.1 per 100,000 people in 2024.
Source: Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Sotkanet · saved copyHow many people get home care in Northern and Eastern Finland?
Regular home care services reached 2.50% of residents of Northern and Eastern Finland in 2025, above the national figure of 2.00%.
Source: Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Sotkanet · saved copyHow many people work in healthcare in Northern and Eastern Finland?
Health and social work provided 22.0% of all jobs located in the Northern and Eastern Finland major region in 2023, above the national figure of 18.1%.
Source: Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus) · saved copyWhat is the death rate in Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi?
Adjusting for age, 976.0 people per 100,000 died in 2021, against 929.3 for Finland as a whole and 1,073.4 across the EU; the highest of 5 regions in Finland. Age-standardised rates allow fair comparison between places with older and younger populations.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die of cancer in Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi?
The age-standardised cancer death rate was 197.2 per 100,000 in 2023, against 208.0 for Finland as a whole and 233.1 across the EU; 2nd lowest of 5 regions in Finland. In 2015 it was 212.5.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die of heart disease in Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi?
Heart and circulatory diseases caused 325.7 deaths per 100,000 in 2023 (age-standardised), against 303.8 for Finland as a whole and 312.9 across the EU; the highest of 5 regions in Finland. In 2015 it was 405.0.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die of respiratory disease in Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi?
Respiratory diseases caused 30.7 deaths per 100,000 in 2023 (age-standardised), against 32.1 for Finland as a whole and 75.2 across the EU; the lowest of 5 regions in Finland. In 2015 it was 37.3.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi?
In 2023, 15.4 people per 100,000 took their own life (age-standardised), against 13.5 for Finland as a whole and 10.4 across the EU; the highest of 5 regions in Finland. In 2015 it was 14.3.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die in accidents in Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi?
Accidents, injuries, violence and other external causes killed 66.4 per 100,000 in 2023 (age-standardised), against 57.3 for Finland as a whole and 49.4 across the EU; the highest of 5 regions in Finland. In 2015 it was 64.6.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the infant mortality rate in Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi?
The infant mortality rate was 2.2 per 1,000 live births in 2024, compared with 2.1 nationally and 3.5 in the EU; 2nd highest of 5 regions in Finland. In 2014 it was 2.3.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many hospital beds does Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi have?
There were 283 hospital beds per 100,000 people in 2024, compared with 248 nationally; the highest of 5 regions in Finland.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many doctors are there in Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi?
There were 378 doctors per 100,000 people in 2024, compared with 362 nationally; 2nd highest of 5 regions in Finland.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people go to hospital in Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi?
Hospitals discharged 17,281 in-patients per 100,000 people in 2021, against 14,254 for Finland as a whole; the highest of 5 regions in Finland.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyCan people in Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi get medical care?
In 2025, 9.0% of people reported going without a needed medical examination because of cost, distance or waiting lists, against 7.8% for Finland as a whole. In 2015 it was 4.1%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die on the roads in Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi?
There were 38 road deaths per million people in 2024, compared with 32 nationally; 2nd highest of 5 regions in Finland. In 2014 it was 55.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is life expectancy for men and women in Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi?
Women in Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi could expect to live to 84.4 and men to 79.1 at 2024 death rates, a gap of 5.3 years.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow long do people live after 65 in Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi?
People who reached 65 could expect 20.3 more years of life in 2024 (Finland: 20.6).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi compares with other regions
THL morbidity index, age-standardised (Finland = 100) (2024)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 1 of 5, highest first. Figures come from the wellbeing services counties; Uusimaa combines East, Central and West Uusimaa, Vantaa-Kerava and the City of Helsinki, weighted by population, and NUTS 2 figures combine their counties the same way.
| Rank | Region | THL morbidity index, age-standardised (Finland = 100) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 111.8 |
| 2 | Etelä-Suomi | 103.4 |
| 3 | Länsi-Suomi | 100.9 |
| 4 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 88.4 |
| 5 | Åland | 67.7 |
Outpatient physician visits in primary health care per 1,000 residents (2025)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 4 of 5, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Outpatient physician visits in primary health care per 1,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Länsi-Suomi | 1,127 |
| 2 | Åland | 1,106 |
| 3 | Etelä-Suomi | 1,075 |
| 4 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 1,062 |
| 5 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 969 |
Non-urgent primary care physician visits with a wait of over 7 days (%) (2024)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 3 of 4, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Non-urgent primary care physician visits with a wait of over 7 days (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 55.9% |
| 2 | Etelä-Suomi | 51.1% |
| 3 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 49.3% |
| 4 | Länsi-Suomi | 41.4% |
Influenza vaccination coverage among people aged 65 or over (%) (2025)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 3 of 5, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Influenza vaccination coverage among people aged 65 or over (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 63.0% |
| 2 | Etelä-Suomi | 60.4% |
| 3 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 59.5% |
| 4 | Länsi-Suomi | 56.1% |
| 5 | Åland | 46.4% |
Daily smokers among adults (%) (2024)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 2 of 5, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Daily smokers among adults (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Etelä-Suomi | 10.4% |
| 2 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 9.4% |
| 3 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 8.6% |
| 4 | Länsi-Suomi | 8.3% |
| 5 | Åland | 6.8% |
Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) (%) (2024)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 2 of 5, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Etelä-Suomi | 26.5% |
| 2 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 26.4% |
| 3 | Länsi-Suomi | 25.6% |
| 4 | Åland | 22.7% |
| 5 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 21.0% |
Deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised, all causes) (2021)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 1 of 5, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised, all causes) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 976.0 |
| 2 | Etelä-Suomi | 943.8 |
| 3 | Länsi-Suomi | 903.0 |
| 4 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 896.4 |
| 5 | Åland | 754.8 |
Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2023)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 4 of 5, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Länsi-Suomi | 217.1 |
| 2 | Etelä-Suomi | 209.4 |
| 3 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 209.0 |
| 4 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 197.2 |
| 5 | Åland | 184.8 |
Heart and circulatory deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2023)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 1 of 5, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Heart and circulatory deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 325.7 |
| 2 | Etelä-Suomi | 309.4 |
| 3 | Länsi-Suomi | 309.2 |
| 4 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 270.4 |
| 5 | Åland | 265.4 |
Respiratory deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2023)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 5 of 5, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Respiratory deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Åland | 36.7 |
| 2 | Etelä-Suomi | 34.1 |
| 3 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 32.4 |
| 4 | Länsi-Suomi | 30.8 |
| 5 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 30.7 |
Suicides per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2023)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 1 of 5, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Suicides per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 15.4 |
| 2 | Etelä-Suomi | 14.9 |
| 3 | Länsi-Suomi | 14.0 |
| 4 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 10.7 |
| 5 | Åland | 10.0 |
Deaths from accidents, injury and violence per 100,000 (2023)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 1 of 5, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Deaths from accidents, injury and violence per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 66.4 |
| 2 | Länsi-Suomi | 59.0 |
| 3 | Etelä-Suomi | 57.8 |
| 4 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 47.1 |
| 5 | Åland | 30.9 |
Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 2 of 5, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Infant deaths per 1,000 live births |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 2.3 |
| 2 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 2.2 |
| 3 | Länsi-Suomi | 1.9 |
| 4 | Etelä-Suomi | 1.9 |
| 5 | Åland | 0.0 |
Hospital beds per 100,000 people (2024)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 1 of 5, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Hospital beds per 100,000 people |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 283 |
| 2 | Länsi-Suomi | 269 |
| 3 | Etelä-Suomi | 256 |
| 4 | Åland | 216 |
| 5 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 200 |
Doctors per 100,000 people (2024)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 2 of 5, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Doctors per 100,000 people |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 381 |
| 2 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 378 |
| 3 | Etelä-Suomi | 348 |
| 4 | Länsi-Suomi | 338 |
| 5 | Åland | 258 |
Hospital in-patient discharges per 100,000 (2021)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 1 of 5, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Hospital in-patient discharges per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 17,281 |
| 2 | Länsi-Suomi | 15,885 |
| 3 | Åland | 15,230 |
| 4 | Etelä-Suomi | 14,716 |
| 5 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 10,347 |
Unmet need for medical care (cost, distance or waiting list) (2025)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 1 of 3, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unmet need for medical care (cost, distance or waiting list) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 9.0% |
| 2 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 8.0% |
| 3 | Etelä-Suomi | 6.9% |
Road deaths per million people (2024)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 2 of 5, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Road deaths per million people |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Länsi-Suomi | 41 |
| 2 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 38 |
| 3 | Etelä-Suomi | 38 |
| 4 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 16 |
| 5 | Åland | 0 |
More on Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · government and politics · Finland
Sources
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset demo_r_mlifexp: Life expectancy at birth, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 62800ed9bbb3…)
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Sotkanet: Sotkanet indicator bank, REST API 1.1: 32 indicators (one exact JSON response per indicator, e.g. indicator=5761, plus the region list) on morbidity, primary care, lifestyle, social assistance, homelessness, county election turnout and the net operating costs of wellbeing services counties, 2015-2025, bundled in one zip, read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 e5b01db4f1e9…)
- Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus): Regional time series 1987-2025 (table 142h, Municipal key figures database): population, housing, education, employment and jobs by NUTS region, region and municipality (PxWeb API POST query, json-stat2, years 2015-2025), read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 18a97e220312…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset tran_r_acci: Victims in road accidents by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a183ad1f888d…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset demo_r_minfind: Infant mortality rates by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 60cbafea3657…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset hlth_co_disch2t: Hospital discharges by diagnosis and NUTS 2 region (in-patients), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 d93487a1c1f9…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset hlth_cd_asdr2: Causes of death: standardised death rate by NUTS 2 region of residence, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 308c4b705d5d…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset hlth_silc_08_r: Self-reported unmet needs for medical examination by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 e5484460cdfc…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset demo_r_mlifexp: Life expectancy by age, sex and NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 f5a2a33406b9…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset hlth_rs_physreg: Physicians by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4ff68eb77f8b…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset hlth_rs_bdsrg2: Hospital beds by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 3178c155028f…)
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