2009 Edition

Background

Finland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden from the 12th to the 19th centuries, and an autonomous grand duchy of Russia after 1809. It won its complete independence in 1917. During World War II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and resist invasions by the Soviet Union - albeit with some loss of territory. In the subsequent half century, the Finns made a remarkable transformation from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy; per capita income is now among the highest in Western Europe. A member of the European Union since 1995, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January 1999.

Area

total: 338,145 sq km country comparison to the world: 64 land: 303,815 sq km water: 34,330 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Montana

Climate

cold temperate; potentially subarctic but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes

Coastline

1,250 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Haltiatunturi 1,328 m

Environment - current issues

air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations

Environment - international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 2.33 cu km/yr (14%/84%/3%) per capita: 444 cu m/yr (1999)

Geographic coordinates

64 00 N, 26 00 E

Geography - note

long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain

Irrigated land

640 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

total: 2,654 km border countries: Norway 727 km, Sweden 614 km, Russia 1,313 km

Land use

arable land: 6.54% permanent crops: 0.02% other: 93.44% (2005)

Location

Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 nm) contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm; extends to continental shelf boundary with Sweden continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

timber, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, nickel, gold, silver, limestone

Terrain

mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills

Total renewable water resources

110 cu km (2005)

Age structure

0-14 years: 16.4% (male 438,425/female 422,777) 15-64 years: 66.8% (male 1,773,495/female 1,732,792) 65 years and over: 16.8% (male 357,811/female 524,975) (2009 est.)

Birth rate

10.38 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 187

Death rate

10.07 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 62

Education expenditures

6.4% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 33

Ethnic groups

Finn 93.4%, Swede 5.6%, Russian 0.5%, Estonian 0.3%, Roma (Gypsy) 0.1%, Sami 0.1% (2006)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

2,400 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.47 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 216 male: 3.78 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Languages

Finnish 91.2% (official), Swedish 5.5% (official), other 3.3% (small Sami- and Russian-speaking minorities) (2007)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 78.97 years country comparison to the world: 37 male: 75.48 years female: 82.61 years (2009 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2000 est.)

Median age

total: 42.1 years male: 40.5 years female: 43.7 years (2009 est.)

Nationality

noun: Finn(s) adjective: Finnish

Net migration rate

0.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 61

Population

5,250,275 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Population growth rate

0.098% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 191

Religions

Lutheran Church of Finland 82.5%, Orthodox Church 1.1%, other Christian 1.1%, other 0.1%, none 15.1% (2006)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 17 years male: 17 years female: 18 years (2006)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.73 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

Urbanization

urban population: 63% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Administrative divisions

6 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Ahvenanmaan Laani (Aland), Etela-Suomen Laani (Southern Finland), Ita-Suomen Laani (Eastern Finland), Lansi-Suomen Laani (Western Finland), Lapin Laani (Lapland), Oulun Laani

Capital

name: Helsinki geographic coordinates: 60 10 N, 24 56 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Constitution

1 March 2000

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Finland conventional short form: Finland local long form: Suomen tasavalta/Republiken Finland local short form: Suomi/Finland

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Barbara BARRETT embassy: Itainen Puistotie 14B, 00140 Helsinki mailing address: APO AE 09723 telephone: [358] (9) 616250

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Pekka LINTU chancery: 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 298-5800

Executive branch

chief of state: President Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Matti VANHANEN (since 24 June 2003); Deputy Prime Minister Jyrki KATAINEN (since 19 April 2007) cabinet: Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to parliament elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 15 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2012); the president appoints the prime minister and deputy prime minister from the majority party or the majority coalition after parliamentary elections and the parliament must approve the appointment; Prime Minister VANHANEN reelected 17 April 2007 election results: percent of vote - Tarja HALONEN (SDP) 46.3%, Sauli NIINISTO (Kok) 24.1%, Matti VANHANEN (Kesk) 18.6%, Heidi HAUTALA (VIHR) 3.5%; a runoff election between HALONEN and NIINISTO was held 29 January 2006 - HALONEN 51.8%, NIINISTO 48.2%; Matti VANHANEN reelected prime minister; election results 121-71 note: government coalition - Kesk, KOK, VIHR, and SFP

FAX

[1] (202) 298-6030 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York

[358] (9) 6162 5800

Flag description

white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the blue represents the thousands of lakes scattered across the country, while the white is for the snow that covers the land in winter

Government type

republic

Independence

6 December 1917 (from Russia)

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (judges appointed by the president)

Legal system

civil law system based on Swedish law; the president may request the Supreme Court to review laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 18 March 2007 (next to be held March 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - Kesk 23.1%, Kok 22.3%, SDP 21.4%, VAS 8.8%, VIHR 8.5%, KD 4.9%, SFP 4.5%, True Finns 4.1%, other 3.4%; seats by party - Kesk 51, Kok 50, SDP 45, VAS 17, VIHR 15, SFP 9, KD 7, True Finns 5, other 1

National holiday

Independence Day, 6 December (1917)

Political parties and leaders

Center Party or Kesk [Matti VANHANEN]; Christian Democrats or KD [Paivi RASANEN]; Green Party or VIHR [Tarja CRONBERG]; Left Alliance or VAS [Martti KORHONEN] (composed of People's Democratic League and Democratic Alternative); National Coalition Party (conservative) or Kok [Jyrki KATAINEN]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Jutta URPILAINEN]; Swedish People's Party or SFP [Stefan WALLIN]; True Finns [Timo SOINI]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

barley, wheat, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; fish

Budget

revenues: $143.8 billion expenditures: $132.3 billion (2008 est.)

Central bank discount rate

3% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 95 5% (31 December 2007) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.79% (31 December 2008)

Current account balance

$5.518 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 $10.12 billion (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$339.5 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 25 $314.1 billion (31 December 2007)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

29.5 (2007) country comparison to the world: 117 25.6 (1991)

Economy - overview

Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economy with per capita output roughly that of the UK, France, Germany, and Italy. Its key economic sector is manufacturing - principally the wood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, and electronics industries. Trade is important; Finland's ratio of exports to GDP has risen from a quarter to 37% over the past 15 years. Finland excels in high-tech exports such as mobile phones. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods. Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. Forestry, an important export earner, provides a secondary occupation for the rural population. Although Finland has been one of the best performing economies within the EU in recent years and its banks and financial markets have avoided the worst of global financial crisis, the world slowdown has hit export growth and domestic demand and will serve as a brake on economic growth in 2009 and 2010. The slowdown of construction, other investment, and exports will cause unemployment to rise. During 2009, unemployment will climb to over 8% of the labor force. Long-term challenges include the need to address a rapidly aging population and decreasing productivity that threaten competitiveness, fiscal sustainability, and economic growth.

Electricity - consumption

86.9 billion kWh (2008) country comparison to the world: 32

Electricity - exports

3.335 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

16.11 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

77.24 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 36

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)

Exports

$96.62 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 $90.2 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities

electrical and optical equipment, machinery, transport equipment, paper and pulp, chemicals, basic metals; timber

Exports - partners

Russia 11.6%, Sweden 10%, Germany 10%, US 6.4%, UK 5.5%, Netherlands 5.1% (2008)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 2.8% industry: 32.4% services: 64.9% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$37,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $36,700 (2007 est.) $35,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 4.1% (2007 est.) 4.9% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$271.9 billion (2008 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$194 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 $192.4 billion (2007 est.) $184.8 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 24.7% (2007)

Imports

$87.51 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 $78.22 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics, grains

Imports - partners

Russia 16.3%, Germany 15.7%, Sweden 13.6%, Netherlands 6.3%, China 5.1%, UK 4.2% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate

0.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129

Industries

metals and metal products, electronics, machinery and scientific instruments, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 2.5% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

20.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100

Labor force

2.703 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture and forestry 4.5%, industry 18.3%, construction 7.3%, commerce 16%, finance, insurance, and business services 14.5%, transport and communications 7%, public services 32.4% (2008)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 26 $369.2 billion (31 December 2007) $265.5 billion (31 December 2006)

Natural gas - consumption

4.735 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 59

Natural gas - imports

4.739 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 34

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 183

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 182

Oil - consumption

215,600 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55

Oil - exports

133,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62

Oil - imports

347,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31

Oil - production

9,789 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl country comparison to the world: 171

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

33.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 46.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$8.346 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $8.385 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$116 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 $114.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$84.44 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 $88.69 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$241.1 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 29 $225.4 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of money

$NA (31December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders

Stock of quasi money

$NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate

6.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 6.9% (2007 est.)

Internet country code

.fi; note - Aland Islands assigned .ax

Internet hosts

4.205 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 18

Internet users

4.383 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 46

Radio broadcast stations

AM 2, FM 59, shortwave 2 (2008)

Telephone system

general assessment: modern system with excellent service domestic: digital fiber-optic fixed-line network and an extensive cellular network provide domestic needs international: country code - 358; submarine cables provide links to Estonia and Sweden; satellite earth stations - access to Intelsat transmission service via a Swedish satellite earth station, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Finland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden)

Telephones - main lines in use

1.65 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 63

Telephones - mobile cellular

6.83 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 73

Television broadcast stations

120 (plus 431 repeaters) (1999); note - on 1 September 2007, Finland began broadcasting all television signals digitally; analog broadcasts via cable networks were discontinued 29 February 2008

Airports

148 (2009) country comparison to the world: 37

Airports - with paved runways

total: 75 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 14 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 73 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 70 (2009)

Merchant marine

total: 98 country comparison to the world: 51 by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 28, carrier 1, chemical tanker 6, container 3, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 18, petroleum tanker 5, roll on/roll off 27, vehicle carrier 2 foreign-owned: 8 (Estonia 2, Germany 1, Norway 3, Sweden 2) registered in other countries: 47 (Bahamas 9, Germany 4, Gibraltar 3, Netherlands 14, Norway 1, Panama 2, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Sweden 12, UK 1) (2008)

Pipelines

gas 694 km (2008)

Ports and terminals

Hamina, Helsinki, Kokkola, Kotka, Naantali, Pori, Raahe, Rauma, Turku

Railways

total: 5,794 km country comparison to the world: 31 broad gauge: 5,794 km 1.524-m gauge (3,047 km electrified) (2008)

Roadways

total: 78,141 km country comparison to the world: 62 paved: 50,914 km (includes 700 km of expressways) unpaved: 27,227 km (2009)

Waterways

7,842 km country comparison to the world: 18 note: includes Saimaa Canal system of 3,577 km; southern part leased from Russia (2008)

Finnish Defense Forces (FDF)

Army, Navy (includes Coastal Defense Forces), Air Force (Suomen Ilmavoimat) (2007)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 1,169,910 females age 16-49: 1,121,187 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 962,479 females age 16-49: 920,297 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 33,784 female: 32,621 (2009 est.)

Military expenditures

2% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for male voluntary and compulsory - and female voluntary - national military and nonmilitary service; service obligation 6-12 months; mandatory retirement at age 60 (2008)

Disputes - international

various groups in Finland advocate restoration of Karelia and other areas ceded to the Soviet Union, but the Finnish Government asserts no territorial demands page last updated on November 11, 2009