Immigration nudges population up to 5.4mn
The biggest reason for the growth was international migration, with a net gain of nearly 7,000 people.
The population of Finland has slowly edged up to just over 5.41 million.
According to preliminary figures out from Statistics Finland on Tuesday, the population grew by just under 10,000, which was 1,400 fewer than during the first half of last year.
More than 12,000 people moved to Finland from abroad while less than 6,000 emigrated.
Nearly 30 percent of immigrants were Finnish citizens.
Birth rate steady
In the first six months of the year, nearly 30,000 babies were born in the country, about the same as during the same period of 2011. The death toll was up incrementally at 26,530.
The strongest population growth was in the Uusimaa region, which gained more than 8,000 inhabitants, followed by the Tampere Region with 1,400.
Latest in: News
The U.S. snatches bronze from Finland
Finland’s men’s ice hockey team lost the World Championship bronze match to the U.S. in a thriller that went into overtime and a shootout.
Son drowns, father missing after fishing trip
A son and father went fishing on Näsijärvi Lake in the Pirkanmaa region on Friday. The son was later found drowned, while the father is still missing.
Finland to toughen rape legislation
At present, Finnish legislation on rape is more lenient than in neighbouring countries such as Sweden and Norway.
Gaming industry draws foreign talent to Helsinki region
Turning to the electronic gaming industry, more and more foreign companies are interested in setting up branch offices in Helsinki. Finnish firms also employ many foreigners, with about one-third of workers at major gaming companies from abroad.
Unknown soldiers laid to rest on Memorial Day
As this is also Whit Sunday or Pentecost, many shops are closed.
Soini and SDP contest workers’ support
The Social Democratic Party’s recent ministerial changes, which tipped the gender balance and created a female-majority cabinet, brought strong criticism from Finns party leader Timo Soini. He claimed the party had abandoned working-class men. Soini's comments provoked a strong response from the SDP.
Finnish Eurovision contestant: Kiss may have cost points
The ESC title remains in the Nordic region, but the Finnish entrant failed to attract much support.
Siegfrids hopes for Eurovision success
The Danish pre-contest favourite believes that this could be Scandinavia’s year, while Finnish contestant Krista Siegfrids promises to celebrate whether she wins or not.
Lions’ golden dream dies in Stockholm
Finland’s men's ice hockey team lost 3-0 in their World Championship semi-final against arch-rivals Sweden on Saturday in Stockholm. The Lions will play in the bronze medal match on Sunday.
Summery, thundery conditions continue over the weekend
Summer has finally arrived in Finland, with warmer than average temperatures and some lively bursts of thunder expected. That means the south and east of Finland are set for warm weather—and rain—this weekend.
