More births in the early part of the year than in January to March last year

According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data, Finland's population at the end of March was 5,537,116. During January–March Finland's population increased by 3,323 persons. The reason for the population increase was migration gain from abroad: the number of immigrants was 4,841 higher than that of emigrants. The number of births was 1,578 lower than that of deaths.

Population increase by month 2018–2021*

According to the preliminary statistics for January–March a total of 12,156 children were born, which is 717 more than in the corresponding period 2020. The number of deaths was 13,734 which is 358 lower than one year earlier.

Altogether 7,064 persons immigrated to Finland from abroad and 2,223 persons emigrated from Finland during January–March. The number of immigrants was 1,148 lower and the number of emigrants 898 lower than in the previous year. The number of emigrations in the early part of the year was on the same level as after the mid-1990s. In all, 1,638 of the immigrants and 1,474 of the emigrants were Finnish citizens. In all, 23 per cent of the immigrants and 66 per cent of the emigrants were Finnish citizens.

According to the preliminary data, the number of inter-municipal migrations totalled 59,741 by the end of March. Compared with the previous year, the decrease was 1,183 migrations according to the municipal division of 2021.

Same-sex marriages took legal effect in March 2017. During January–March 2021, same-sex partners entered into 65 marriages of which 45 were between two women and 20 between two men.

According to preliminary data by region, the population grew in Uusimaa, Pirkanmaa, North Ostrobothnia, Southwest Finland, Central Ostrobothnia, Åland, Kanta-Häme, Ostrobothnia, Päijät-Häme and South Ostrobothnia between January–March of 2021.

The population grew most in absolute numbers in Uusimaa, where it grew by 2,467 persons. The next largest increase in population was seen in Pirkanmaa, 912 persons. Relative to the population, population growth was highest in Åland, 2.4 per mil, in Pirkanmaa, 1.7 per mil and in Uusimaa, 1.4 per mil. Population loss was highest in absolute numbers in the region of South Karelia that lost 222 persons of its population. The population of North Karelia decreased by 183 persons, which was the second biggest population loss. Relative to the population, the biggest population loss was found in South Karelia, 1.7 per mil.

Most migration gain from intramunicipal and international migration was collected by Uusimaa, 1,186 persons and Pirkanmaa, 958 persons. Most migration gain in relative terms based on total net migration was attained by Åland, 2.3 per mil, and Pirkanmaa, 1.8 per mil.

In absolute numbers, migration loss from total net migration was biggest in the region of Central Finland, 29 persons. Other regions did not have migration loss from total net migration. In relative terms, the biggest migration loss from total net migration was found in Central Finland, 0.1 per mil of the population.

During January–March 2021, migration between regions numbered 25,034. The positive gain from migration between regions was seen in Pirkanmaa, Southwest Finland, Kanta-Häme, South Ostrobothnia, South Savo, Päijät-Häme, North Ostrobothnia, North Savo, Kymenlaakso, Central Ostrobothnia, Kainuu, Åland and Lapland. In absolute numbers, the highest gain from migration between regions was received by Pirkanmaa, 697 persons. Also, the relative migration gain was highest in Pirkanmaa, 1.3 per mil of the population.

Migration loss from migration between regions was biggest in absolute numbers in the region of Uusimaa, 966 persons. Migration loss from migration between regions was biggest in relative terms in the region of Ostrobothnia, 1.5 per mil of the population.

Source: Preliminary population statistics, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Joonas Toivola 029 551 3355, Laura Lipasti 029 551 3041, info@stat.fi

Head of Department in charge: Hannele Orjala

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Updated 22.04.2021

Referencing instructions:

Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Preliminary population statistics [e-publication].
ISSN=2243-3627. March 2021. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 22.12.2024].
Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/vamuu/2021/03/vamuu_2021_03_2021-04-22_tie_001_en.html