For the sixth year in a row, Finland has taken the top spot as the world’s happiest country. In addition, Finland is consistently ranked among the top ten in the world in terms of the standard of living, economic stability and education.
A country of innovation and technology
The population of Finland is around 5.5 million. There are two official languages in Finland: Finnish and Swedish. In addition to that, Finns generally speak very good English, and it is easy to get by even without knowing the local languages.
Finland is a country of innovation and technology and has continuously topped related global indices. Finnish companies highly value innovation designed to solve problems in a pragmatic and surprising way. In fact, Finland is the home of many world-leading companies in areas such as forest products and the biomass industry (UPM, Stora Enso, and Metso), transportation services (KONE) and design (Iittala and Marimekko).
Cleanest air in the world
Finland is a land of countless lakes, forests, fells and archipelagos – it is one the most extensive and unspoiled natural environments in Europe. According to recent statistics by the World Health Organisation, the air in Finland is the cleanest in the world. The beautiful nature provides great opportunities for outdoor sports such as skating, skiing and swimming.
Finland has four very distinct seasons – temperatures may vary between -35°C and +35°C. With the cold winters, it might come as a surprise that Finns also eat more ice cream per person than anyone else in Europe. Luckily, we have 2.2 million saunas in Finland to keep us warm.
Some facts about Finland
- Finns consume more coffee per capita than people in any other nation. In fact, if you are unsure of what to do in your free time, you can always ask a Finn over for a cup of coffee.
- Finland ranks as the top OECD country in education.
- Finland is the most advanced country in the EU in the utilisation of digitalisation.
- Finland’s share of renewable energy in the country’s total energy consumption is the second largest in the EU.
- Finland is the fourth most gender equal country in the world.
- Finland is the third most innovative country in the world.
- Finland is the happiest country in the world.
- Finland has the cleanest air in the world.
Cost of living in Finland
Finland is known for its high standard of living, which means prices are not the lowest in the world. However, the cost of living in Finland is about the same as in other EU countries. The expenses vary depending on the accommodation you decide to choose and your personal spending habits, including food, health care, social life, and travel.
In LUT campuses in Lappeenranta and Lahti, living expenses including accommodation in a student apartment may amount to roughly EUR 700/month. As a degree student in Finland, you will be issued a student card that entitles you to student discounts on meals and other services (e.g. transport, museums, cultural events and recreational activities).
A few approximate examples of prices:
- Student lunch at the university EUR 2,95
- Single bus ticket EUR 1.60
- Monthly bus pass EUR 42
- Coffee at a café EUR 3
- Movie ticket EUR 15
Students all over Finland have a tradition of wearing colourful overalls that represent their study programme, and they serve as the perfect way to connect with new people. Talk to anyone wearing the overalls, and they are sure to be heading to a get-together you can join too – our international community at LUT welcomes everyone.
