Ukrainians in Finland

Ukrainians in Finland (Finnish: Suomen ukrainalaiset) historically comprised only a small proportion of immigrants in Finland, but their numbers have grown significantly since 2022.

Ukrainians in Finland
Українці Фінляндії
Ukrainalaiset Suomessa
Ukrainare i Finland
Total population
66,278 Ukrainian speakers, 4,269 with a Ukrainian background[note 1], 7,202 Ukrainian citizens[note 2], 4,499 born in Ukraine
Regions with significant populations
Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo, Turku, Nykarleby
Languages
Ukrainian, Russian, Finnish, Swedish
Related ethnic groups
Ukrainian people, Russians in Finland

History

Since June 1918 about 60 Ukrainians lived in Finland. However the amount of Ukrainians in Finland for almost 70 years was unknown until 1992.[1] Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, many Ukrainians came to work in Finland as berry pickers during the summer. In 2016 over 9,000 Ukrainian berry pickers arrived in Finland. Their average earnings during 2015 was 666 euros.[2][3]

The number of Ukrainian refugees has greatly increased since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. By July 2022 nearly 7,000 school-aged Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Finland. Schools in Finland have prepared for the start of the school year in Autumn by increasing study groups and hiring more teachers.[4] Ministry of the Interior estimated that up to 40,000-80,000 Ukrainian refugees may arrive in Finland during 2022.[5]

From 2015 to July 2022 a total of 122,000 Ukrainians have submitted applications to the Finnish Immigration Service, 43,500 during 2022. Of those 43,500, nearly 36,000 sought international protection. 95% of them received a positive decision, with the rest of them being expired decisions.[6]

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±%
199011—    
1995133+1109.1%
2000337+153.4%
2005611+81.3%
20101,287+110.6%
20152,843+120.9%
20163,271+15.1%
20173,728+14.0%
20184,411+18.3%
20195,108+15.8%
20205,961+16.7%
20217,278+22.1%
202254,345+646.7%
202369,789+28.4%
Ukrainian speakers. Source: Statistics Finland

In absolute numbers Uusimaa and Finland Proper are home to most Ukrainians, though proportionally Ostrobothnia has the most Ukrainians. Ukrainian is the third most spoken foreign-language in Southern Ostrobothnia. During 2020, the number of Ukrainian speakers grew by 1,317, making it the fifth fastest growing language after English, Russian, Arabic and Persian. 52.2% of Ukrainian speakers are men. 16.2% are aged 0–14, 82.3% 15-64 and 1.5% are over the age of 65.[7]

In 2019, the most common occupation for Ukrainians was farming and livestock raisers, with 28% of employed Ukrainians being in this sector.[8] In 2019, 147 babies were born to Ukrainian mothers, the birth rate being 56.7 per 1,000 Ukrainian women. For Finnish women the number was 14.9.[9]

Ukrainian speakers by region
Region Population %
Uusimaa 2,266 0.13%
Finland Proper 1,495 0.31%
Ostrobothnia 690 0.39%
Satakunta 481 0.22%
Southern Ostrobothnia 372 0.19%
Pirkanmaa 358 0.07%
Rest of Finland 1,616 0.07%
 Finland 7,278 0.13%
Ukrainian speakers by municipality
Municipality Population %
Helsinki 2793 0.32%
Vantaa 1491 0.27%
Espoo 1482 0.26%
Turku 651 0.22%
Nykarleby 354 4.75%
Laihia 148 1.87%
Salo 145 0.28%
Tampere 133 0.05%
Jakobstad 122 0.64%
Seinäjoki 116 0.18%
Pori 111 0.13%
Vaasa 104 0.15%
 Finland 7,278 0.13%

Organizations

The Ukrainian Association in Finland was founded in 1997.[10]

There is also another organization called Ukrainians of Finland.[11]

See also

Notes
  1. Born with Ukrainian parents.
  2. 9,637 including dual Finnish and Ukrainian citizens.

References
  1. "Ukrainian immigrants in Finland | Baltic Rim Economies". sites.utu.fi. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  2. "Näin paljon marjanpoimijat tienaavat – yli 9 000 ukrainalaisesta poimijasta harva viihtyy metsässä". 3 August 2016.
  3. "Ukrainasta yli 50 lentokoneellista marjanpoimijoita Suomeen – tulijoille on tehtävä tiloilla turvallisuussuunnitelma, jota ei valvo kukaan". 15 June 2021.
  4. "Suomeen on paennut jo lähes 7000 ukrainalaista koululaista, ja määrä kasvaa – hallitus pohtii, pitäisikö heistä tehdä oppivelvollisia". 5 July 2022.
  5. "Sisäministeriön arvio: Suomeen saapuu 40 000 – 80 000 pakolaista Ukrainasta tämän vuoden aikana: "Suomi on kantamassa oman vastuunsa"". 23 March 2022.
  6. "Tilastot – Maahanmuuttovirasto".
  7. "Population 31.12. By Region, Language, Age, Sex, Year and Information".
  8. "Employed by Occupational group, Background country, Sex, Year and Information".
  9. "Live births by Year, Language of mother, Age of mother, Sex and Information".
  10. "Товариство Українців у Фінляндії – Офіційний сайт Товариства Українців у Фінляндії | Портал об'єднання" (in Finnish). Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  11. "Suomen Ukrainalaiset" (in Finnish). Retrieved 11 June 2023.
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