During January–September Finland's population increased by 8,098 persons, according to Statistics Finland's preliminary data. Far fewer people are born than die, therefore the reason for the population increase was migration gain from abroad: the number of immigrants was 13,616 higher than that of emigrants.
The immigration figures are, however, lower than in previous years and are affected by the restrictions on mobility resulting from the pandemic.
In the first 9 months of the year, 22,405 persons moved to Finland from abroad and 8,789 persons moved abroad from Finland.
The effects of the restrictions due to the coronavirus are visible in these figures on international migration. The number of immigrants was 2,908 lower and the number of emigrants 4,656 lower than in the previous year. The number of emigrants in January to September had last been under 9,000 in the end of 1990s.
In all, 7,360 of the immigrants and 5,811 of the emigrants were Finnish citizens.
Population increased
According to the preliminary statistics, a total of 35,227 children were born, which is 690 more than in the corresponding period of 2019. Slightly over one hundred children were born on leap day in 2020. The number of deaths was 40,806 which is 715 higher than one year earlier.
The number of births was 5,579 lower than that of deaths.
The country's population at the end of September was 5,533,390 people, 8,098 more than when then year started.
The population grew most in absolute numbers in Uusimaa (Helsinki and surroundings), where it grew by 10,723 persons. The next largest increase in population was seen in Pirkanmaa (Tampere area), 2,866 persons.
Population loss was highest in absolute numbers in the region of Kymenlaakso (Kouvola) that lost 1,263 persons of its population. The population of South Savo (MIkkeli) decreased by 1,185 persons, the second biggest population loss.
