The figure came from a survey by the pollster Taloustutkimus that was commissioned by the Tampere-based newspaper Aamulehti. The poll also found that over 60% of those surveyed are in favour of some type of church blessing for same-sex unions. The highest levels of support were found among young women.
On the basis of the poll, nearly half of all Finns also think that opponents of women clergy within the Lutheran Church should establish their own religious community.
The Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church is scheduled to convene soon to make a decision on its stand concerning gay and lesbian couples. The Church's episcopal conference recently suggested recognizing such unions with prayer only.
The Aamulehti-published poll was based on telephone interviews with 1000 people in mid-April.