Poverty and living standards in Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi, Finland: official figures
Disposable household income was 17,600 PPS per person in 2023; the lowest of 5 regions in Finland.
How many people in Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi are at risk of poverty?
The share of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion was 17.9% in 2025, against 17.2% for Finland; the highest of 3 regions in Finland.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the poverty rate in Northern and Eastern Finland?
15.3% of the dwelling population of Northern and Eastern Finland (Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi) lived below the at-risk-of-poverty line (60% of the national median income) in 2024, above the national figure of 14.2%; that is the highest among the five NUTS 2 major regions, down from 15.4% in 2019.
Source: Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus) · saved copyHow many children live in poverty in Northern and Eastern Finland?
14.3% of children in Northern and Eastern Finland lived in households at risk of poverty in 2024, above the national figure of 13.8%; that ranks 2nd highest among the five NUTS 2 major regions.
Source: Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus) · saved copyHow many people live on benefits in Northern and Eastern Finland?
4.1% of residents of Northern and Eastern Finland lived entirely on basic social security benefits in 2024, against 4.5% nationally.
Source: Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus) · saved copyHow many homeless people are there in Northern and Eastern Finland?
Northern and Eastern Finland counted 0.50 single homeless people per 1,000 residents in 2025, below the national figure of 0.80; that is the lowest of the 4 with data.
Source: Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Sotkanet · saved copyHow many people get housing allowance in Northern and Eastern Finland?
In 2025, the general housing allowance went to 7.2% of households in Northern and Eastern Finland (Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi), 2nd lowest among the five NUTS 2 major regions.
Source: Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Sotkanet · saved copyHow many people cannot afford food in Northern and Eastern Finland?
In 2024, 22.4% of adults in Northern and Eastern Finland said a lack of money had left them short of food, medicine or medical care.
Source: Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Sotkanet · saved copyHow crowded is housing in Northern and Eastern Finland?
Overcrowding affected 6.8% of household-dwelling units in Northern and Eastern Finland in 2024 (2nd lowest among the five NUTS 2 major regions; Finland 7.6%).
Source: Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus) · saved copyWhat is the crime rate in Northern and Eastern Finland?
Northern and Eastern Finland had 87.7 recorded offences and infractions per 1,000 inhabitants in 2025 (3rd highest among the five NUTS 2 major regions; Finland 101.1).
Source: Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus) · saved copyHow much violent crime is there in Northern and Eastern Finland?
In 2025 the authorities in Northern and Eastern Finland (Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi) recorded 6.83 assault offences per 1,000 inhabitants, the lowest among the five NUTS 2 major regions.
Source: Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus) · saved copyHow common are drug offences in Northern and Eastern Finland?
In 2025, Northern and Eastern Finland recorded 3.91 drug offences per 1,000 people.
Source: Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus) · saved copyIs crime rising in Northern and Eastern Finland?
Offences against the Criminal Code recorded in Northern and Eastern Finland (Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi) numbered 106,869 in 2025, up 8% from 99,409 in 2015.
Source: Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus) · saved copyHow common are burglaries in Northern and Eastern Finland?
Burglaries of homes and summer cottages ran at 0.75 per 1,000 residents in Northern and Eastern Finland in 2025, compared with 0.76 across Finland.
Source: Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus) · saved copyWhat is the poverty rate in Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi?
15.2% of people lived below the poverty line (60% of national median income after social transfers) in 2025, against 13.4% for Finland as a whole. In 2015 it was 16.0%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people in Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi cannot afford basic necessities?
In 2025, 2.8% of residents were severely materially and socially deprived (unable to afford 7 or more of 13 everyday necessities), against 3.3% for Finland as a whole. In 2015 it was 1.2%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many households in Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi have nobody in work?
Very low work intensity affected 10.0% of people under 65 in 2025 (households where working-age adults worked under 20% of the time they could), against 10.7% for Finland as a whole. In 2015 it was 13.1%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the average income in Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi?
After taxes and benefits, households had €21,800 per person to spend or save in 2023, against €24,700 for Finland as a whole and €21,000 across the EU; the lowest of 5 regions in Finland. In 2013 it was €18,200.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people in Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi use the internet?
95.9% of people used the internet at least once a week in 2025, against 96.9% for Finland as a whole; 2nd lowest of 4 regions in Finland. In 2015 it was 86.6%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyMore figures
- 93% of households had broadband in 2021. Source: Eurostat · saved copy
How Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi compares with other regions
At-risk-of-poverty rate, register-based (%) (2024)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 1 of 5, highest first.
| Rank | Region | At-risk-of-poverty rate, register-based (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 15.3% |
| 2 | Etelä-Suomi | 15.2% |
| 3 | Länsi-Suomi | 14.8% |
| 4 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 12.4% |
| 5 | Åland | 9.2% |
Children at risk of poverty (%) (2024)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 2 of 5, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children at risk of poverty (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Etelä-Suomi | 14.6% |
| 2 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 14.3% |
| 3 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 13.3% |
| 4 | Länsi-Suomi | 13.3% |
| 5 | Åland | 11.1% |
Social assistance recipients as a share of the population (%) (2025)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 4 of 5, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Social assistance recipients as a share of the population (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 9.0% |
| 2 | Etelä-Suomi | 6.7% |
| 3 | Länsi-Suomi | 6.3% |
| 4 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 6.0% |
| 5 | Åland | 2.0% |
Single homeless people per 1,000 residents (2025)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 4 of 4, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Single homeless people per 1,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 1.10 |
| 2 | Etelä-Suomi | 0.80 |
| 3 | Länsi-Suomi | 0.70 |
| 4 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 0.50 |
Households receiving general housing allowance (%) (2025)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 4 of 5, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Households receiving general housing allowance (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 10.2% |
| 2 | Länsi-Suomi | 7.9% |
| 3 | Etelä-Suomi | 7.6% |
| 4 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 7.2% |
| 5 | Åland | 3.6% |
Overcrowded household-dwelling units (%) (2024)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 4 of 5, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Overcrowded household-dwelling units (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 9.3% |
| 2 | Länsi-Suomi | 6.9% |
| 3 | Åland | 6.9% |
| 4 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 6.8% |
| 5 | Etelä-Suomi | 6.6% |
Offences known to the authorities per 1,000 residents (2025)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 3 of 5, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Offences known to the authorities per 1,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 113.4 |
| 2 | Etelä-Suomi | 99.5 |
| 3 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 87.7 |
| 4 | Länsi-Suomi | 87.3 |
| 5 | Åland | 70.0 |
Assault offences recorded per 1,000 residents (2025)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 5 of 5, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Assault offences recorded per 1,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 9.56 |
| 2 | Etelä-Suomi | 7.77 |
| 3 | Länsi-Suomi | 7.10 |
| 4 | Åland | 7.07 |
| 5 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 6.83 |
At-risk-of-poverty rate (after social transfers) (2025)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 1 of 3, highest first.
| Rank | Region | At-risk-of-poverty rate (after social transfers) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 15.2% |
| 2 | Etelä-Suomi | 12.7% |
| 3 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 10.8% |
Severe material and social deprivation rate (2025)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 3 of 3, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Severe material and social deprivation rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 4.0% |
| 2 | Etelä-Suomi | 3.0% |
| 3 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 2.8% |
People in households with very low work intensity (2025)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 2 of 3, highest first.
| Rank | Region | People in households with very low work intensity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Etelä-Suomi | 12.9% |
| 2 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 10.0% |
| 3 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 9.5% |
Disposable household income per person (euros) (2023)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 5 of 5, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Disposable household income per person (euros) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | €28,900 |
| 2 | Åland | €27,200 |
| 3 | Etelä-Suomi | €23,700 |
| 4 | Länsi-Suomi | €22,800 |
| 5 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | €21,800 |
People who use the internet regularly (2025)
Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi ranks 3 of 4, highest first.
| Rank | Region | People who use the internet regularly |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helsinki-Uusimaa | 98.6% |
| 2 | Länsi-Suomi | 96.7% |
| 3 | Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi | 95.9% |
| 4 | Etelä-Suomi | 95.5% |
More on Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · government budget · government and politics · Finland
Sources
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_2hhinc: Disposable household income per person (PPS), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 bd6019768e9f…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset ilc_peps11n: At risk of poverty or social exclusion, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 94dcf245d20e…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset isoc_r_broad_h: Households with broadband, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b02c9a1ef222…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset isoc_r_iuse_i: Individuals regularly using the internet by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 fb4ff8800853…)
- 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…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset ilc_li41: At-risk-of-poverty rate by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 27849ad61b9a…)
- 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…)
- Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus): Offences recorded by year of reporting, figures relative to the population in the area of the offence (table 13h4, Statistics on offences and coercive measures), 2015-2025 (PxWeb API POST query, json-stat2), read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 491eb3d6cd9b…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset ilc_mdsd18: Severe material and social deprivation rate by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 62e6e6fba571…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset ilc_lvhl21n: People living in households with very low work intensity by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 8b5e993ae943…)
- Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus): Income level, income inequality, population at risk of poverty or dependent on basic social security by region (table 14ww, Income distribution statistics), 2015-2024 (PxWeb API POST query, json-stat2), read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4dd1f64e4da5…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_2hhinc: Income of households by NUTS 2 region (euros per inhabitant), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a7441dafca51…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.