Students in education leading to a qualification or degree numbered 1.4 million in 2024

Release related to topics:Education and research
release | Students and qualifications 2024

According to Statistics Finland, the total number of pupils and students in education leading to a qualification or degree was 1,422,000 in 2024. The number of pupils in pre-primary education decreased by five per cent from the year before. The number of pupils in comprehensive education remained unchanged. The number of students grew by two per cent in general upper secondary education, by two per cent in vocational education and training, by three per cent in university of applied sciences education and by three per cent in university education.

Key selections

  • In 2024, there were 324,400 new students and altogether 1,421,900 students in education leading to a qualification or degree. A total of 241,000 degrees or qualifications were completed.
  • Fifty-four per cent of new students, 52 per cent of all students and 56 per cent of attainers of qualifications or degrees were women.
  • Men studied most in the fields of technology (75%) and information and communication technology (ICT) (74%), women in health and welfare (83%) and education (82%).
  • Foreign-language speaking students numbered 205,800 and they spoke 147 different native languages. Students had a total of 178 different nationalities.
  • In 2024, a total of 18,200 students participated in preparatory education for an upper secondary qualification and 7,300 pupils in preparatory education for comprehensive education.

Database tables

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Updated database tables
Classifications used:
  • Education
  • Sector of Education
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  • Area
  • Sector of Education
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Classifications used:
  • Type of Education
  • Age
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Classifications used:
  • Field of education
  • Area
  • Type of Education
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  • Sector of Education
  • Level of education
  • Field of education
  • Gender
  • Nationality
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Classifications used:
  • Sector of Education
  • Level of education
  • Field of education
  • Gender
  • First language
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Classifications used:
  • Sector of Education
  • Level of education
  • Field of education
  • Gender
  • Origin
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  • Gender
  • Origin
  • Age
  • Area
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Future releases

Documentation

Description of the production, used methods and quality of the statistics.

Go to documentation of the statistics

Referencing instructions

Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Students and qualifications [online publication].
Reference period: 2024. ISSN=1798-7679. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [Referenced: 8.10.2025].
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Statistical experts

Inquiries primarily

Heli Hiltunen
Senior Statistician
029 551 3314

Head of Department in charge

Harri Lehtinen
Head of Department in charge
029 551 3582