Why Helsinki, Finland?

People standing in the middle of a walking street in Helsinki.
Welcome – or "tervetuloa" – to this page where we have collected key facts and resources about life in Finland and our capital city Helsinki.

Finland (Suomi in Finnish, Finland in Swedish) is the seventh largest country in Europe in terms of area. The population of Finland is 5.5 million, of which 1.5 million live in the metropolitan area of Helsinki, the capital of Finland. Finland is a parliamentary democracy and since 1995, a member of the European Union.

Below are some key facts and resources to give you an insight into the Finnish way of life.

Why Finland?

#1 happiest country in the world

Finland ranked first in the World Happiness Report in 2022. This was the fifth year in a row that Finland topped the ranking. 

#1 most digitally advanced country in the EU

The European Commission ranked Finland as the most digitally advanced nation in the EU in its 2022 Digital Economy and Society Index.

#2 in the world in gender equality

The World Economic Forum placed Finland second in its Global Gender Gap Index 2022. The ranking looked at the four main indicators of economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment.

#2 least corrupt country in the world

Transparency International ranked Finland as the second least corrupt country in the world in the Corruption Perceptions Index for 2022.
 

Aerial view of Helsinki

Why Helsinki?

#3 best city to live in

Helsinki is the world's third best city to live in according to a survey conducted by Boston Consulting Group and BCC Henderson Institute in 2021.

#2 safest city in the world

Helsinki is ranked as the second safest city in the world in a report by Mercer Quality of Living 2019. The criteria emphasised stability, crime, law enforcement and the justice system, and freedom of speech.

#1 best city for work-life balance

The Work-Life Balance Index 2019 lists Helsinki as the best city for work-life balance.

Hanken students in Katajanokka, Helsinki

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