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Published: 24 April 2014

Number of foreign-language speakers exceeded that of Swedish-speaking population

According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data, the number of foreign-language speakers exceeded that of Swedish speakers in the course of March. At the end of March, there were 293,540 foreign-language speakers in Finland, which is 5.4 per cent of the population. The number of people speaking Swedish as their native language was 290,760. According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data, Finland's population at the end of March was 5,455,068.

Population increase by month 2012–2014*

Over the January to March period, Finland's population increased by 3,800 persons, which is 350 less than in the respective period of one year previously. The main reason for the population increase was migration gain from abroad: the number of immigrants was 2,880 higher than that of emigrants. Natural population growth, or excess of births to deaths, was 920 persons.

According to the preliminary statistics for January to March period, 6,270 persons immigrated to Finland from abroad and 3,390 persons emigrated from Finland. The number of immigrants was 590 lower and the number of emigrants 300 higher than in the corresponding period of the previous year. In all, 1,520 of the immigrants and 2,250 of the emigrants were Finnish citizens.

During the January to March period, 13,930 children were born, which is 360 fewer than in the corresponding period of 2013. The number of deaths decreased by 900 from the year before and amounted to 13,010.

According to the preliminary data, the number of inter-municipal migrations totalled 51,680 by the end of March. Compared with the previous January to March period, the decrease was 1,030 migrations according to the municipal division of 2014.

According to preliminary data by region, the population grew in the following regions in January to March of this year: Uusimaa, North Ostrobothnia, Pirkanmaa, Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia, Varsinais-Suomi, Åland and Kanta-Häme.

In the January to March period, the population grew most in absolute numbers in Uusimaa, where it went up by 3,930 persons. The next largest increase in population was seen in North Ostrobothnia, 560 persons. Relative to the population, population increase was highest in Uusimaa, 2.5 per mil. Relative population growth was second largest in Central Ostrobothnia, 1.8 per mil. Population loss was highest in absolute numbers in the region of Etelä-Savo that lost 320 persons of its population. The population of North Karelia decreased by 240 persons, which was the second biggest population loss. Relative to the population, the biggest population loss was found in Etelä-Savo, 2.1 per mil and the second largest in Kainuu, 1.7 per mil.

Most migration gain from intramunicipal and international migration was collected by Uusimaa, 2,460 persons and Pirkanmaa, 310 persons. Most migration gain in relative terms was attained by Uusimaa, 1.5 per mil and by Åland, 1.4 per mil.

In absolute numbers, migration loss from total net migration was biggest in the regions of Lapland and North Karelia, 100 persons in both regions. In relative terms, the biggest migration loss from total net migration was found in the region of Kainuu, 1.0 per mil and the second largest in North Karelia, 0.6 per mil of the population.

During January to March, migration between regions numbered 21,740. The highest gain from migration between regions was seen in Uusimaa, Pirkanmaa, Åland, Kanta-Häme and Central Ostrobothnia. In absolute numbers, the highest gain from migration between regions was received by Uusimaa, 1,070 persons and Pirkanmaa, 190 persons. The relative migration gain was highest in Uusimaa and in Åland; 0.7 per mil of the population in both regions.

Migration loss from migration between regions was largest in absolute numbers in the region of North Karelia, 160 persons, and in relative terms in Kainuu, 1.5 per mil of the population.

Source: Population and Cause of Death Statistics. Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Marja-Liisa Helminen 09 1734 3273, Irma Pitkänen 09 1734 3262

Director in charge: Riitta Harala

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Appendix tables

• Appendix table 1. Preliminary data on vital statistics by month of occurence 2014 (24.4.2014)
• Appendix table 2. Vital statistics, final data 2005 - 2012 and preliminary data 2013 - 2014 (24.4.2014)
• Appendix table 3. Comparison between preliminary vital statistics in 2013 and 2012 (24.4.2014)
• Appendix table 4. Preliminary vital statistics by region 2014 and change compared to 2013 preliminary data, quarter 1 (24.4.2014)
• Appendix table 5. Preliminary data by region on immigrants and emigrants according to country of departure/destination 2014, quarter 1 (24.4.2014)

Figures

• Appendix figure 1. Live births by quarter 1994 - 2012 and preliminary data 2013 - 2014 (24.4.2014)
• Appendix figure 2. Deaths by quarter 1994 - 2012 and preliminary data 2013 - 2014 (24.4.2014)
• Appendix figure 3. Intermunicipal migration by quarter 1994 - 2012 and preliminary data 2013 - 2014 (24.4.2014)
• Appendix figure 4. Immigration by quarter 1994 - 2012 and preliminary data 2013 - 2014 (24.4.2014)
• Appendix figure 5. Emigration by quarter 1994 - 2012 and preliminary data 2013 - 2014 (24.4.2014)

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Updated 24.04.2014