Finland's population at the end of March was 5,518,393, according to the last preliminary figures on population published by Statistics Finland.
During January-March Finland's population increased by 474 persons, which is 95 less than in the preliminary data the year before. The reason for the population increase was migration gain from abroad: the number of immigrants was 3,853 higher than that of emigrants. The number of births was 3,290 lower than that of deaths.
According to the preliminary statistics for January-March 2019, a total of 10,897 children were born in the country, which is 763 fewer than in the corresponding period 2018. The number of deaths was 14,187, which is 770 lower than one year earlier.
Altogether 7,005 persons immigrated to Finland from abroad and 3,152 persons emigrated from Finland during January-March period. The number of immigrants was 77 lower and the number of emigrants 615 lower than in the previous year. In all, 1,593 of the immigrants and 2,109 of the emigrants were Finnish citizens.
Source: Statistics Finland.
According to the preliminary data, the number of inter-municipal migrations totaled 55,168 by the end of March. Compared with the previous year, the decrease was 3,139 migrations according to the municipal division of 2019.
Same-sex marriages took legal effect in March 2017. A total of 40 women and 26 men entered into marriage in which the spouse was of the same sex during January-March period in 2019. In all, 2 women and 2 men changed their registered partnership into marriage.
Population growth
According to preliminary data by region, the population grew only in Uusimaa, Pirkanmaa, North Ostrobothnia, Åland, Central Ostrobothnia and Southwest Finland in the beginning of 2019.
The population grew most in absolute numbers in Uusimaa, by 3,729 persons. The next largest increase in population was seen in Pirkanmaa, 384 persons. Relative to the population, population increase was highest in Uusimaa, 2.2 per mil, in Åland, 1.8 per mil and in Pirkanmaa, 0.7 per mil.
Population loss was highest in absolute numbers in the region of South Savo, that lost 504 persons. The population of Satakunta decreased by 426 persons, which was the second biggest population loss. Relative to the population, the biggest population loss was found in South Savo, 3.5 per mil.
Migration gains in Uusimaa and Pirkanmaa
Most migration gain from intramunicipal and international migration was collected by Uusimaa, 3,408 persons and Pirkanmaa, 590 persons. Most migration gain in relative terms based on total net migration was attained by Uusimaa, 2.0 per mil and Åland, 1.3 per mil.
In absolute numbers, migration loss from total net migration was biggest in the region of South Savo, 167 persons. In the region of Satakunta the loss was 108 persons. In relative terms, the biggest migration loss from total net migration was found in the region of South Savo, 1.2 per mil of the population.
During January to March 2019, migration between regions numbered 23,776. The positive gain from migration between regions was seen in Uusimaa, Pirkanmaa and Åland. In absolute numbers, the highest gain from migration between regions was received by Uusimaa, 1,593 persons. The relative migration gain was highest in Uusimaa, 1.0 per mil of the population.
Migration loss from migration between regions was biggest in absolute numbers in the region of Satakunta, 257 persons. Migration loss from migration between regions was biggest in relative terms in the region of South Savo, 1.6 per mil of the population.
