In the past two years, Finland has seen more immigrants arrive than ever before, and the phenomenon is not only due to the war in Ukraine.
A population forecast published by consulting firm MDI on Wednesday shows that tens of thousands of people have moved to Finland over the past two years. In 2021, some 30,000 immigrants arrived in Finland. Last year, that number exceeded 70,000.
Should the recent trend continue, Finland's population will rise to nearly six million by 2040, but other scenarios are also possible, according to MDI, which noted that the number of residents could also level off around 5.54 million, depending on immigration.
With Finland's birth rate hitting historic lows, immigration now plays a key role in population growth.
MDI's Rasmus Aro pointed out that population forecasts are highly uncertain as global events as well as both domestic and international political decisions influence migration trends.
"We know that informal networks play a significant role in immigration. This means that the experiences of immigrants already living in Finland also influence future immigration," he said, noting that foreigners will relay any prejudice they experience back to their home countries.
Nokia drew an engineer to Finland
Among the immigrants who relocated to Finland is 40-year-old Unnikrishnan Kurup from India. He co-founded the software company Gravito, which now employs seven people in Finland.
He moved to Finland in 2010, when he began working as an IT consultant for Nokia.
"My choice was somewhat different from that of my fellow students. I had been following the quality of life in the Nordic countries for some time, and fortunately, I had the opportunity to choose from several options," Kurup told Yle.
Kurup could have gone to the United States, the United Kingdom or Dubai. Nokia was, however, a big draw in the early 2010s, as was the idea of a Nordic work-life balance.
He said that increasingly negative immigration rhetoric impacts people considering moving to Finland, as does the government's new work-based residence permit rules that could see people forced to leave the country if they lose their jobs.
"The current discussion sends mixed messages. On the one hand, there is talk of needing more workers to maintain the healthcare system in Finland. On the other hand, you might not be allowed to stay in the country if you lose your job."
Kurup said it's Finland's working culture that balances family life that's keeping him in Finland — for now. He said his family will reconsider their plans when their school-aged children get a little older.
A graphic artist fell in love with Finland
Nanako Ueda, 36, from Japan is another recent transplant, moving to the capital last year to start an art and media master's at Aalto University.
This is, however, not Ueda's first time in Finland. She was a graphic design student in Lahti 15 years ago, saying that was when she first fell in love with Finland.
"There's a balance between work and free time. I get the feeling that over here I can be my true self," she explained.
One difference in work cultures is that, according to Ueda, summer vacation is not a concept in Japan the same way it is in Finland.
She also said she was attracted to women's strong position in society. Tarja Halonen was president during her first stay in Finland. When she decided to move here the second time, Sanna Marin (SDP) served as prime minister.
Ueda acknowledged that Finland's social climate helped draw her family. Since then societal discussions on immigration have become more stringent. Ueda is, however, staying put.
"My daughter will soon turn seven, and after just a year, she speaks fluent Finnish. She has a lot of friends here."
Yle News' latest All Points North podcast asked if it's become more difficult to find a job in Finland.
Listen to the episode via this embedded player, on Yle Areena, via Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
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