Helsinki’s population exceeds 700,000

Helsinki has reached a historic milestone with the city’s population exceeding 700,000. According to calculations by the City of Helsinki Urban Research and Statistics Unit, the 700,000-resident mark will be exceeded around mid-August. Helsinki has been experiencing record-breaking population growth over the last couple of years. The previous similar milestone was reached in 2012, when Helsinki’s population hit the 600,000 mark in August. 

Helsinki to celebrate the milestone in a high-profile way

Helsinki will celebrate the milestone of exceeding 700,000 residents with the Thank you for being one of us campaign, which launches on 21 August. The campaign will focus on the people of Helsinki, the city’s diversity and the developments that underpin its population growth.

The multi-channel campaign will be run in eight languages in order to reach as many of Helsinki’s residents as possible, who speak over 150 languages. The campaign content will be made visible in the everyday lives of city residents through outdoor advertising, social media, the City’s own channels as well as various encounters and acts of kindness.

“Helsinki’s growth into a city of 700,000 residents is a testament to our city’s appeal, its opportunities and its vibrant urban life. Behind this milestone lie 700,000 different people and stories from Helsinki. The most important thing is that every Helsinki resident can feel that they are part of our city and live a good and meaningful life in Helsinki on their own terms,” says Mayor of Helsinki Daniel Sazonov.

Growth from migration 

Migration from abroad and from other parts of Finland accounts for approximately 80% of Helsinki’s annual population growth. In 2025, net migration accounted for 90% of its population growth, with one in five of those who moved to Helsinki coming from abroad. The largest growing population group is working-age people, whose numbers are expected to continue rising sharply in the coming years as well. 

In contrast, Helsinki’s natural population growth, meaning the difference between the number of births and deaths, has been on a relatively steady downward trend in recent years. This is due to both a decrease in the number of births and an increase in the number of deaths. In 2025, 6,842 children were born in Helsinki, which was slightly more than in the two previous years. 

Helsinki residents are a diverse lot

The population of Helsinki is younger than the rest of Finland – two-thirds of the city’s residents are of working age. At the end of 2025, the median age of Helsinki residents was 39, while elsewhere in Finland it was 44. However, as is the case across the country, the number of older people in Helsinki is also rising rapidly. 

The share of foreign-language speakers, meaning those whose mother tongue is something other than Finnish, Sámi or Swedish, has increased this century and was 21% at the end of 2025. Helsinki has a significantly higher share of foreign-language speakers than Finland as a whole, as the share of foreign-language speakers across the country is 11%. In total, there are 157 registered native languages in Helsinki.

The share of Helsinki residents who were born abroad is 19%, while the share of foreign nationals is 13%. The number of residents born abroad has more than tripled this century. 

The projection that the population will exceed 700,000 is based on calculations by the City of Helsinki Urban Research and Statistics Unit. The population projection is updated once a month when Statistics Finland publishes its preliminary population figures. The final monthly figures will be published in June–July 2027.

The City of Helsinki Urban Research and Statistics Unit produces, compiles and analyses up-to-date data and information about Helsinki and its residents and serves as a unique source of information concerning the people of Helsinki.