Finland will need some 20,000 more registered and practical nurses by the end of this decade, according to a recent government-commissioned report. By 2040, the demand for nursing staff is expected to rise by 45,000 as the population ages.
In 2019, Finland had around 71,000 practical nurses, but by 2040, this number will need to increase by over 31,000.
As for registered nurses, nearly 14,000 more will be needed by 2040, with many of them working in specialised healthcare.
This week figures from Statistics Finland showed the birth rate dropping for the third consecutive year in 2024, reaching the lowest level in the country's recorded history.
Finland's population, however, grew by more than 33,000 people last year, reaching approximately 5.64 million by the end of December. The growth was primarily driven by net immigration, as the number of people moving to Finland from abroad exceeded those leaving.