Finland

Finland

Introduction

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. In the 21st century, the key features of Finland’s modern welfare state are a high standard of education, equality promotion, and national social security system – currently challenged by an aging population and the fluctuations of an export-driven economy.

Geography

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

64 00 N, 26 00 E

Map references

Europe

Area

total: 338,145 sq km
country comparison to the world: 65 land:303,815 sq km
water:34,330 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly smaller than Montana

Land boundaries

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

Coastline

1,250 km

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

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

Terrain

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

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point:Halti (alternatively Haltia, Haltitunturi, Haltiatunturi) 1,328 m

Natural resources

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

Land use

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

Irrigated land

770 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

110 cu km (2005)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

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

Natural hazards

NA

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

Geography – note

long boundary with Russia

Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent

population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Finn(s)
adjective:Finnish

Ethnic groups

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

Languages

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

Religions

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

Population

5,259,250 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114

Age structure

0-14 years: 16% (male 429,450/female 414,570)
15-64 years:66.1% (male 1,759,059/female 1,719,173)
65 years and over:17.8% (male 385,671/female 551,327) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 42.5 years
male:40.8 years
female:44.3 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.075% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185

Birth rate

10.37 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183

Death rate

10.24 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49

Net migration rate

0.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60

Urbanization

urban population: 85% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:0.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

HELSINKI (capital) 1.107 million (2009)

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:0.69 male(s)/female
total population:0.96 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

8 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 151

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.43 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 211 male:3.73 deaths/1,000 live births
female:3.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 79.27 years
country comparison to the world: 39 male:75.79 years
female:82.89 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.73 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163

Health expenditures

11.7% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 14

Physicians density

2.735 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 48

Hospital bed density

6.52 beds/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 20

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

2,600 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131

HIV/AIDS – deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

15.7% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 32

Education expenditures

5.9% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 33

Literacy

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 17 years
male:16 years
female:18 years (2008)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 20.5%
country comparison to the world: 53 male:22%
female:18.8% (2009)

Government

Country name

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

Government type

republic

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

Administrative divisions

19 regions (maakunnat, singular – maakunta (Finnish)

landskapen, singular – landskapet (Swedish))

Aland (Swedish), Ahvenanmaa (Finnish)

Etela-Karjala (Finnish), Sodra Karelen (Swedish) [South Karelia]

Etela-Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Sodra Osterbotten (Swedish) [South Ostrobothnia]

Etela-Savo (Finnish), Sodra Savolax (Swedish) [South Savo]

Kanta-Hame (Finnish), Egentliga Tavastland (Swedish)

Kainuu (Finnish), Kajanaland (Swedish)

Keski-Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Mellersta Osterbotten (Swedish) [Central Ostrobothnia]

Keski-Suomi (Finnish), Mellersta Finland (Swedish) [Central Finland]

Kymenlaakso (Finnish), Kymmenedalen (Swedish)

Lappi (Finnish), Lappland (Swedish)

Paijat-Hame (Finnish), Paijanne-Tavastland (Swedish)

Pirkanmaa (Finnish), Birkaland (Swedish) [Tampere]

Osterbotten (Swedish), Pohjanmaa (Finnish) [Ostrobothnia]

Pohjois-Karjala (Finnish), Norra Karelen (Swedish) [North Karelia]

Pohjois-Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Norra Osterbotten (Swedish) [North Ostrobothnia]

Pohjois-Savo (Finnish), Norra Savolax (Swedish) [North Savo]

Satakunta (Finnish and Swedish)

Uusimaa (Finnish), Nyland (Swedish) [Newland]

Varsinais-Suomi (Finnish), Egentliga Finland (Swedish) [Southwest Finland]

Independence

6 December 1917 (from Russia)

National holiday

Independence Day, 6 December (1917)

Constitution

1 March 2000

Legal system

civil law system based on the Swedish model

note – the president may request the Supreme Court to review laws

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March 2000)
head of government:Prime Minister Jyrki KATAINEN (since 22 June 2011)
cabinet:Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to parliament
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term)

election last held on 15 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2012)

the parliament elects a prime minister who is then appointed to office by the president

Prime Minister KATAINEN elected on 22 June 2011
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% other 10.5%

a runoff election between HALONEN and NIINISTO was held 29 January 2006 – HALONEN 51.8%, NIINISTO 48.2%

Jyrki KATAINEN elected prime minister

election results 118-72
note:government coalition – KoK, SDP, VIHR, SFP, VAS, and KD

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats

members elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms)
elections:last held on 17 April 2011 (next to be held in April 2015)
election results:percent of vote by party – Kok 20.4%, SDP 19.1%, TF 19%, Kesk 15.8%, VAS 8.1%, VIHR 7.2%, SFP 4.3%, KD 4%, other 2%

seats by party – Kok 44, SDP 42, TF 39, Kesk 35, VAS 14, VIHR 10, SFP 9, KD 6, other 1 (the constituency of Aland)

Judicial branch

general courts – deal with criminal and civil cases (include district courts, Courts of Appeal, and the Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus, whose judges are appointed by the president)

administrative courts

Political parties and leaders

Center Party or Kesk [Mari KIVINIEMI]

Christian Democrats or KD [Paivi RASANEN]

Green Party or VIHR [Anni SINNEMAKI]

Left Alliance or VAS [Paavo ARHINMAKI]

National Coalition Party or Kok [Jyrki KATAINEN]

Social Democratic Party or SDP [Jutta URPILAINEN]

Swedish People’s Party or SFP [Stefan WALLIN]

The Finns or TF [Timo SOINI]

International organization participation

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Ritva KOUKKU-RONDE
chancery:3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 298-5800
FAX:[1] (202) 298-6030
consulate(s) general:Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Bruce J. ORECK
embassy:Itainen Puistotie 14B, 00140 Helsinki
mailing address:APO AE 09723
telephone:[358] (9) 616250
FAX:[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

National symbol(s)

lion

National anthem

name: “Maamme” (Our Land)
lyrics/music:Johan Ludvig RUNEBERG/Fredrik PACIUS
note:in use since 1848

although never officially adopted by law, the anthem has been popular since it was first sung by a student group in 1848

Estonia’s anthem uses the same melody as that of Finland

Economy

Economy – overview

Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economy with per capita output roughly that of Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Trade is important with exports accounting for over one third of GDP in recent years. Finland is strongly competitive in manufacturing – principally the wood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, and electronics industries. 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. Finland had been one of the best performing economies within the EU in recent years and its banks and financial markets avoided the worst of global financial crisis. However, the world slowdown hit exports and domestic demand hard in 2009, with Finland experiencing one of the deepest contractions in the euro zone. A recovery of exports, domestic trade, and household consumption stimulated economic growth in 2010. The recession left a deep mark on general government finances and the debt ratio, turning previously strong budget surpluses into deficits. Despite good growth prospects, general government finances will remain in deficit during the next few years. The great challenge of economic policy will be to implement a post-recession exit strategy in which measures supporting growth will be combined with general government adjustment measures. Longer-term, Finland must address a rapidly aging population and decreasing productivity that threaten competitiveness, fiscal sustainability, and economic growth.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$186 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56 $180.3 billion (2009 est.)
$196.5 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$239.2 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

3.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121 -8.2% (2009 est.)
0.9% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$35,400 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34 $34,400 (2009 est.)
$37,500 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 2.9%
industry:29%
services:68.1% (2010 est.)

Labor force

2.672 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture and forestry: 4.9%
industry:16.7%
construction:7.1%
commerce:19.4%
finance, insurance, and business services:12.8%
transport and communications:6.3%
public services:32.8% (2009)

Unemployment rate

8.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98 8.2% (2009 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Distribution of family income – Gini index

26.8 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 131 25.6 (1991)

Investment (gross fixed)

18.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132

Budget

revenues: $125.2 billion
expenditures:$131.9 billion
note:Central Government Budget (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

52.4% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91

Public debt

48.4% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53 43.8% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56 1.6% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.75% (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 117 1.75% (31 December 2009)
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

2.267% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184 2.552% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$113 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29 $113.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
note:see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area

the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 17 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)

individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders

Stock of broad money

$172.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41 $173.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$242.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37 $242.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$118.2 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 43 $91.02 billion (31 December 2009)
$154.4 billion (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

barley, wheat, sugar beets, potatoes

dairy cattle

fish

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

5.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80

Electricity – production

67.94 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39

Electricity – consumption

83.09 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35

Electricity – exports

3.375 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

12.09 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

8,718 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88

Oil – consumption

217,400 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54

Oil – exports

133,600 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60

Oil – imports

318,100 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181

Natural gas – consumption

4.782 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95

Natural gas – imports

4.782 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135

Current account balance

$7.561 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27 $5.892 billion (2009)

Exports

$69.4 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43 $62.91 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

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

timber

Exports – partners

Sweden 11.6%, Germany 10.2%, Russia 8.5%, US 7%, Netherlands 6.9%, China 5%, UK 4.9% (2010)

Imports

$65 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40 $58.12 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

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

Imports – partners

Russia 17.4%, Germany 14.7%, Sweden 14.5%, Netherlands 8.2%, China 4.4% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$9.555 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73 $11.46 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$518 billion (30 June 2011)
country comparison to the world: 24 $370.8 billion (30 June 2010)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$82.71 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39 $84.44 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$130.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23 $126.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar -
0.755 (2010)
0.7198 (2009)
0.6827 (2008)
0.7345 (2007)
0.7964 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

148 (2010)
country comparison to the world:38

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 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 73
914 to 1,523 m:3
under 914 m:70 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 694 km (2010)

Railways

total: 5,919 km
country comparison to the world: 31 broad gauge:5,919 km 1.524-m gauge (3,067 km electrified) (2009)

Roadways

total: 78,141 km
country comparison to the world: 61 paved:50,914 km (includes 739 km of expressways)
unpaved:27,227 km (2009)

Waterways

7,842 km (includes Saimaa Canal system of 3,577 km

southern part leased from Russia

water transport is used frequently in the summer and is widely replaced with sledges on the ice in winter

there are 187,888 lakes in Finland that cover 31,500 km) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 18

Merchant marine

total: 93
country comparison to the world: 53 by type:bulk carrier 1, cargo 26, carrier 1, chemical tanker 6, container 3, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 16, petroleum tanker 5, roll on/roll off 28, vehicle carrier 3
foreign-owned:6 (Cyprus 1, Estonia 2, Iceland 1, Norway 2)
registered in other countries:52 (Bahamas 8, Germany 5, Gibraltar 2, Liberia 2, Malta 2, Netherlands 14, Norway 1, Panama 2, Sweden 16) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Helsinki, Kotka, Naantali, Porvoo, Raahe, Rauma

Military

Military branches

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

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 (2010)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 1,155,368
females age 16-49:1,106,193 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 955,151
females age 16-49:912,983 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 32,599
female:31,416 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

2% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70

Transnational Issues

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