As a Finn, I may be a little biased when I say Finland is the best place to live. Even though I have traveled extensively, you may not believe my opinion. So here are some facts and statistics to explain why Finland really is the best place to live.
Finland is the Safest Place to Live
Finland is an incredibly safe place to live. We have some of the lowest rates of crime in the world. In fact, the only thing Finnish people are worried about when they leave their house is running into neighbors! Kids in Finland are encouraged to ride to school as young as 8 years old because of the low rates of crime and car accidents.
Finland is a safe place to visit as a tourist. There are no scams looking to rip off tourists who are unfamiliar with the money – I experienced a scam like this when I was in Japan. It is also incredibly safe for women traveling alone.
There are also very few accidental deaths in Finland as there are no natural disasters. Finland doesn’t have cyclones, tornados, earthquakes, or volcanoes. There are also very few dangerous animals – most of the ones we do have (like bears and wolves) avoid humans.
Transparency.org has also ranked Finland as the best place in the world for perceived corruption. In Finland, when you need to deal with public systems, you can almost always trust that the system works and nobody is trying to screw with you.
Finland is the Best Country for Introverts
Finland has no small talk or icebreaker culture, so it is a paradise for introverts. It is rare for strangers to approach you on the street unless they are street sellers or drunk, so you will generally have peace and quiet. Finland is also one of the most sparsely populated countries, so there are fewer chances to encounter strangers. Most products and services can also be done online, which means less interaction with strangers.
Finland is the Happiest Country
Finland consecutively wins the happiest place to live in the world title, and I believe that is because of our high living standards. These OECD Better Life Index show why Finnish people are so happy:
- High wages – The average household net-adjusted disposable income per capita is higher than average at US$33,471 per year.
- High employment rates – Approximately 72% of people in Finland aged 15 to 64 have a paid job.
- High rate of education – 91% of adults between the ages of 25 and 64 have completed upper secondary education.
- High life expectancy – The average life expectancy in Finland is 82 years.
- Great water quality – 97% of people in Finland say they are happy with the water quality.
- Good support network – 96% of people in Finland believe that they have people they can rely on in a time of need.
One of the things that I believe makes Finland the happiest place to live is the work-life balance we have. In Finland, success at work is not based on the number of hours worked. Instead, we focus on working smarter and getting more done in the same amount of time. That means that overtime is not really a thing in Finland. Employers understand that allowing employees time to rest and pursue their passions produces better results. They know that there are more important things in life other than work. Full-time employees receive 25-30 paid holiday days per year.
Employers also allocate time during working hours for employees to learn new skills – even skills that are unrelated to their current roles.
Finland is the Best Place to Raise a Family
If you plan to have a family, then Finland is the best place to live. Finland has a number of programs and policies in place to support expectant mothers and families. Here are some examples of why Finland is the best place to raise a family:
- Neuvola (Finnish Maternity Clinic Concept) – These clinics provide family support that pays special attention to relationships and parenting. The role of fathers and parental responsibility is emphasized in Neuvola. Parents take part in birthing and parenting classes to help them to prepare to raise a child. Expectant mothers will meet with medical staff between 11 and 15 times during their pregnancy.
- Ӓitiyspakkaus (Maternity Package) – New parents receive a package with newborn essentials like snowsuits, trousers, caps, mittens, sleeping bag and blanket, toys, etc. In 2022, the Ӓitiyspakkaus contained 43 items. Parents can also choose to take cold hard cash instead of the Ӓitiyspakkaus, and they will receive €170.
- Pregnancy Leave and Pregnancy Allowance – Mothers can take maternity leave 30 days before their expected due date. They will also receive a pregnancy allowance which is paid for a total of 40 working days.
- Parental Leave – Paid parental allowance is 320 working days (13 months) split equally between the parents. Parents can transfer their allowance between each other based on their preferences.
- Lapsilisä (Child Benefit) – Parents receive a child benefit until the child turns 17. This benefit amount is based on the number of eligible children in the family. As of 2022, the tax-free child benefit is €95 per month for the first child and €105 per month for the second child.
Finland is the Best Place to Live for Nature Lovers
Nature is accessible from pretty much everywhere in Finland. There are many forests, lakes, nature paths, and national parks to enjoy. In Finland, we have “jokamiehenoikeudet” (everyman rights), meaning you can travel freely on public and private land without permission. This includes collecting mushrooms, herbs, and berries without permission.
Want to Move to Finland (The Best Place to Live)?
If you agree that Finland is the best place to live and are thinking of moving to Finland, I have free masterclass that will prepare you to move to Finland. My YouTube channel also has videos about Finnish life, language, and culture to help you to decide if Finland really is the best place to live.
