A record number of people moved to Finland from abroad last year. According to figures issued by Statistics Finland, around 29,500 people moved to the country. This is 3,100 more than in the previous year.  

The number of people leaving Finland meanwhile increased slightly last year. Around 12,650 people moved abroad. Overall net immigration stood at around 16,800 persons.

The majority of those making a new home  abroad mowed to Sweden, Britain and the United States.

In general, most new arrivals come to Finland to work. In 2009, around 40 percent of new arrivals of working age were employed. Unemployed persons accounted for 15 percent and students for 13 percent. Those outside the work force accounted for around a quarter of immigrants.