History of Finland in Timeline
Finland is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, bordering Sweden, Norway, and Russia. Helsinki is its capital and largest city. It has a population of 5.6 million. Finnish and Swedish are the official languages. The climate ranges from humid continental to boreal. The landscape is dominated by boreal forests and numerous lakes.
1900: Spread of Finnic languages
Around 1900 BC, an early form of Finnic languages spread to the Baltic Sea region.
1905: Russification suspended
In 1905, the Russian Empire suspended its policy of Russification in Finland.
1906: Universal Suffrage
In 1906, Finland became the first country in Europe to grant universal suffrage and the first in the world to give all adult citizens the right to run for public office.
1908: Finland Participates in Olympic Games
In 1908, Finland first participated as a nation in its own right at the Olympic Games.
1908: Russification resumed
In 1908, the Russian Empire resumed its policy of Russification in Finland.
1912: Hannes Kolehmainen Wins Gold Medals
At the 1912 Summer Olympics, Hannes Kolehmainen, known as the original "Flying Finn," won three gold medals.
December 1917: Declaration of Independence
On December 4, 1917, the right-wing government presented the Declaration of Independence, which was officially approved by the Finnish Parliament on December 6, 1917.
1917: Finland gains Independence
After Finland gained independence in 1917, religious freedom was declared in the constitution.
1917: February Revolution
After the February Revolution of 1917, Finland's position as a Grand Duchy under the rule of the Russian Empire was questioned, leading to political division and power struggles.
1917: Population statistics
In 1917 there were three million people in the country.
1917: Independence Declaration
In 1917, following the Russian Revolution, Finland declared its independence.
1917: Russification ended
In 1917, the policy of Russification ended with the Russian Revolution.
1917: Autonomous Grand Duchy
In 1917, the situation as an autonomous grand duchy within the Russian Empire ended.
January 1918: Civil War Begins
On January 27, 1918, the government began disarming Russian forces, leading to a civil war where socialists took control of southern Finland and Helsinki, while the white government continued in exile in Vaasa.
January 1918: Recognition of Independence
On January 4, 1918, The Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR), led by Vladimir Lenin was the first country to recognise Finland's independence.
July 1919: First President Elected
In July 1919, after a brief experiment with monarchy, Finland adopted a republican constitution, and K. J. Ståhlberg was elected as its first president on July 25, 1919.
1919: Republic Confirmed
In 1919, Finland's status as a republic was confirmed.
1919: Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg in office
In 1919, Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg was in office as the president of Finland.
1919: Religious Freedom Declared
In 1919, religious freedom was declared in the constitution of Finland.
1920: Kinship Wars
In 1918–1920, the activist expeditions to Soviet Russia, known as the "Kinship Wars", strained relations with the East.
1921: Paavo Nurmi sets world records
Between 1921 and 1931, Finnish long-distance runner Paavo Nurmi set 22 official world records.
1922: Law on Religious Freedom
In 1922, a separate law on religious freedom was established in Finland. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland gained constitutional status as a national church.
1925: Lauri Kristian Relander in office
In 1925, Lauri Kristian Relander was in office as the president of Finland.
1926: First female minister
In 1926–1927, Miina Sillanpää became the first female minister in Finnish history in Väinö Tanner's cabinet.
1927: First female minister
In 1926–1927, Miina Sillanpää became the first female minister in Finnish history in Väinö Tanner's cabinet.
1931: Paavo Nurmi sets world records
Between 1921 and 1931, Finnish long-distance runner Paavo Nurmi set 22 official world records.
1931: Pehr Evind Svinhufvud in office
In 1931, Pehr Evind Svinhufvud was in office as the president of Finland.
1937: Kyösti Kallio in office
In 1937, Kyösti Kallio was in office as the president of Finland.
1938: War Reparations
The Finns were forced to pay war reparations initially set at $300 million in 1938 prices, later adjusted to $226.5 million.
August 1939: Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact
On August 23, 1939, the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany signed the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, which divided Europe into spheres of influence.
November 1939: Winter War
On November 30, 1939, the Soviet Union launched the Winter War to annex Finland.
1939: Frans Eemil Sillanpää awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature
In 1939, Frans Eemil Sillanpää was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
March 1940: Moscow Peace Treaty
On March 12, 1940, the Moscow Peace Treaty was signed, and the Winter War ended the following day, with Finland ceding 9% of its territory to the Soviet Union.
1940: Risto Ryti in office
In 1940, Risto Ryti was in office as the president of Finland.
June 1941: Continuation War
In June 1941, hostilities resumed with the Continuation War, as Finland allied itself with Germany following the latter's invasion of the Soviet Union.
1944: Evacuations from Karelia
Between 1939 and 1944, some 400,000 people were evacuated from Karelia.
1944: Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim in office
In 1944, Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim was in office as the president of Finland.
1944: Armistice with the Soviet Union
In 1944, the Armistice signed with the Soviet Union included Finnish obligations, restraints, and reparations, as well as further territorial concessions.
1944: Vyborg-Petrozavodsk offensive
In the summer of 1944, the massive Soviet Vyborg–Petrozavodsk offensive led to a breakthrough until the Finns finally repulsed it at Tali–Ihantala, followed by an armistice.
1945: Lapland War
In 1944–1945, followed the Lapland War, when Finland fought retreating German forces in northern Finland.
1946: Juho Kusti Paasikivi in office
In 1946, Juho Kusti Paasikivi was in office as the president of Finland.
1947: Baby boom peak
In 1947, the average number of births per woman reached a baby boom peak of 3.5.
1948: Treaty with the Soviet Union
In 1948, the treaty signed with the Soviet Union included Finnish obligations, restraints, and reparations, as well as further territorial concessions.
1950: Employment in agriculture
In 1950, 46% of Finnish workers were employed in agriculture.
1952: The White Reindeer
In 1952, the film The White Reindeer was directed by Erik Blomberg.
1952: Summer Olympics held in Helsinki
The 1952 Summer Olympics were held in Helsinki.
1955: The Unknown Soldier directed by Edvin Laine
In 1955, The Unknown Soldier, directed by Edvin Laine, was released.
1956: Kekkonen presidency
From 1956 president Urho Kekkonen had a virtual monopoly on relations with the Soviet Union, which was crucial to his continued popularity.
1956: Urho Kekkonen in office
In 1956, Urho Kekkonen was in office as the president of Finland.
1956: The White Reindeer wins Golden Globe Award
In 1956, the film The White Reindeer won the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Film.
1960: Inspector Palmu's Mistake
In 1960, crime comedy film Inspector Palmu's Mistake, directed by Matti Kassila.
1968: Here, Beneath the North Star
Here, Beneath the North Star from 1968 is one of the most significant works in Finnish history.
1969: Fertility Rate Below Replacement Rate
Since 1969, Finland's fertility rate has been below the replacement rate of 2.1.
1973: Birth rate fall
By 1973, the average number of births per woman fell from a baby boom peak of 3.5 in 1947 to 1.5.
1973: Treaty with the European Economic Community
In 1973, Finland negotiated a treaty with the European Economic Community (EEC) that reduced tariffs, enhancing trade relations.
1975: GDP per capita
By 1975, Finland's GDP per capita was the 15th highest in the world.
1982: Helsinki Metro System Opened
Helsinki opened the world's northernmost metro system in 1982.
1982: Mauno Koivisto in office
In 1982, Mauno Koivisto was in office as the president of Finland.
1984: Uuno Turhapuro in the Army
In 1984, the comedy film Uuno Turhapuro in the Army was released.
1993: Recession Bottomed Out
In 1993, the deep recession in Finland bottomed out.
1994: Martti Ahtisaari in office
In 1994, Martti Ahtisaari was in office as the president of Finland.
1995: EU Membership
In 1995, Finland became a member of the European Union.
1999: Proportion of Part-Time Workers
In 1999, the proportion of part-time workers in Finland was one of the lowest in OECD.
2000: Common Finnic language spoken
Around 2000 years ago, the Common Finnic language was spoken around the Gulf of Finland.
2000: Tarja Halonen in office
In 2000, Tarja Halonen was in office as the president of Finland.
2000: New constitution
In 2000, a new constitution was enacted in Finland, which made the presidency primarily a ceremonial office.
2000: First female President
In 2000, the Finnish people elected Tarja Halonen in the Presidential election, making her the first female President of Finland.
2002: The Man Without a Past nominated for Academy Award and wins Grand Prix at Cannes Film Festival
In 2002, The Man Without a Past, directed by Aki Kaurismäki, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival.
2005: Scientific Publications
In 2005, Finland had the fourth most scientific publications per capita of the OECD countries, indicating high productivity in scientific research.
2006: Labour force
In 2006, 62% of the labour force in Finland was employed by firms with fewer than 250 workers, which generated 49% of total business revenue.
2006: Lordi wins Eurovision Song Contest
In 2006, Lordi won the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Hard Rock Hallelujah".
2007: Patents Filed
In 2007, 1,801 patents were filed in Finland, reflecting the country's innovation activity.
2007: Predominant Industrial Sectors
In 2007, the predominant industrial sectors in Finland were electronics (22%), machinery, vehicles, and other engineered metal products (21.1%), forest industry (13%), and chemicals (11%).
2008: ISSP Survey on Religiousness
According to ISSP survey data from 2008, 8% of Finnish citizens considered themselves highly religious, 31% moderately religious, 28% agnostic, and 29% non-religious.
2008: Martti Ahtisaari Nobel Peace Prize
In 2008, president Martti Ahtisaari was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
2008: Financial crisis
In 2008, the 2008 financial crisis paralysed Finland's exports, leading to weaker economic growth throughout the decade. Martti Ahtisaari also won the Nobel Peace Prize.
2010: Eurobarometer Poll on Belief in God
According to a 2010 Eurobarometer poll, 33% of Finnish citizens believed in God, 42% believed in a spirit or life force, and 22% did not believe in any spirit, God, or life force.
2011: Stillbirth Rate
A 2011 study published in The Lancet medical journal found that Finland had the lowest stillbirth rate out of 193 countries.
April 2012: Finland Ranked Second in Gross National Happiness
In April 2012, Finland was ranked second in Gross National Happiness in a report published by The Earth Institute.
2012: President Leads Foreign Policy
According to the 2012 constitution, the President of Finland leads foreign policy in cooperation with the government, except in EU affairs.
2012: Niinistö elected President
From 2012 until 2024, Sauli Niinistö was elected President of Finland.
2012: Confirmation Rates
In 2012, 82.3% of Finnish children were confirmed at the age of 15.
2012: Sauli Niinistö in office
In 2012, Sauli Niinistö was in office as the president of Finland.
2012: Inspector Palmu's Mistake voted best Finnish film
In 2012, the 1960 crime comedy film Inspector Palmu's Mistake was voted the best Finnish film of all time by Finnish film critics and journalists.
2013: Largest Private Sector Employers
As of 2013, the 10 largest private sector employers in Finland were Itella, Nokia, OP-Pohjola, ISS, VR, Kesko, UPM-Kymmene, YIT, Metso, and Nordea.
2015: Finland's Gold Production
In 2015, Finland's gold production was 9 metric tons.
2015: Suicide Rates
In 2015, Finland's suicide rates were 13 per 100,000 people, close to the North European average, but still among the highest among developed countries in the OECD when age-standardized.
2015: The Fencer nominated for Golden Globe Award
In 2015, The Fencer, directed by Klaus Härö, was nominated for the 73rd Golden Globe Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category.
2016: Muslim population
In 2016, the Pew Research Center estimated the Muslim population in Finland at 2.7%.
2017: Religious Affiliation
In 2017, 26.3% of the population had no religious affiliation, making it the second largest group. A small minority belongs to the Finnish Orthodox Church (1.1%).
2017: Tourism in Finland grossed approximately €15.0 billion
In 2017, tourism in Finland generated approximately €15.0 billion, with €4.6 billion coming from foreign tourism. There were 15.2 million overnight stays by domestic tourists and 6.7 million by foreign tourists, contributing roughly 2.7% to Finland's GDP.
2018: Concentration of cooperatives
In 2018, Finland had the highest concentration of cooperatives relative to its population.
2018: Forest Landscape Integrity Index
In 2018, Finland's Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score was 5.08/10, ranking it 109th globally out of 172 countries.
2018: Service Sector
In 2018, the service sector constituted the largest segment of Finland's economy, amounting to 66% of the GDP, while manufacturing and refining made up 31%.
2018: Happiest Country
Since 2018, Finland has ranked as the happiest country in the annual World Happiness Report by the United Nations.
2019: Helsingin Sanomat circulation
As of 2019, the circulation of the largest newspaper, Helsingin Sanomat, was 339,437.
2019: Decline in Baptism Rates
By 2019, the baptism rate of Finnish children had declined to around 62%.
2019: Kaija Saariaho ranked world's greatest living composer
In 2019, Kaija Saariaho was ranked the world's greatest living composer in a composers' poll.
2019: Per-Capita Income
In 2019, the per-capita income of Finland was estimated to be $48,869.
2019: World Economic Forum index ranked Finland the eleventh most competitive
The World Economic Forum's 2019 index ranked Finland as the eleventh most competitive country, highlighting its economic capabilities.
2020: Ease of Doing Business Ranking
In 2020, Finland was ranked 20th on the ease of doing business index, among 190 jurisdictions.
2021: Municipalities in Finland
As of 2021, there are 309 municipalities in Finland, which serve as the local administrative divisions of the country.
2021: Energy Market Statistics
In 2021, Finland's energy market was around 87 terawatt hours with a peak demand around 14 gigawatts in winter, and renewable energy accounted for 43% of final energy consumption.
2021: GDP reached its peak
In 2021, the gross domestic product reached its peak in Finland.
February 2022: Support for NATO declined
Before February 2022, opinion polls showed a narrow but decisive majority against NATO membership.
February 2022: Strategic Petroleum Reserves
As of February 2022, Finland's strategic petroleum reserves held 200 days worth of net oil imports in the case of emergencies.
May 2022: Security pact with the United Kingdom
On 11 May 2022, Finland signed a mutual security pact with the United Kingdom. On 12 May, Finland's president and Prime Minister called for NATO membership "without delay".
2022: Electricity Prices
As of 2022, Finland has the lowest non-household electricity prices in the EU.
2022: Finland's Nominal GDP
As of 2022, Finland ranked 16th globally in nominal GDP per capita according to the IMF.
2022: Unemployment Rate
As of 2022, the unemployment rate in Finland was 6.8%.
2022: Women in Combat Arms
In 2022, 1,211 women entered voluntary military service in Finland, which allows women to serve in all combat arms.
2022: Under-Five Mortality Rate
In 2022, Finland's under-five mortality rate was 2.3 per 1,000 live births, ranking among the lowest in the world.
April 2023: Finland joined NATO
Finland became a member of NATO on 4 April 2023.
May 2023: Finland Ranked Sixth in LGBTQ+ Rights
In May 2023, Finland ranked sixth in a European comparison of LGBTQ+ rights by ILGA-Europe.
June 2023: Orpo Cabinet Took Office
In June 2023, The Orpo Cabinet took office on 20 June 2023. It is the 77th government of Finland, headed by Petteri Orpo, and is a coalition between the National Coalition Party, Finns Party, the Swedish People's Party, and the Christian Democrats.
December 2023: Defense Cooperation Agreement
On 18 December 2023, Finland signed the Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) with the United States, regulating the presence of U.S. armed forces and defense suppliers on Finnish territory.
2023: Passengers at Helsinki Airport
In 2023, Helsinki Airport handled about 15.3 million passengers.
2023: Reform of the administrative system
In 2023, a reform transformed the Finnish administrative system from a two-tier structure into a three-tier system, introducing 21 wellbeing services counties responsible for organizing health, social welfare, and emergency services.
2023: Economic composition
In 2023, the Finnish economy was estimated to consist of approximately 2.3% agriculture, 23.9% manufacturing, and 61.4% services.
2023: Käärijä gets second place in Eurovision Song Contest
In 2023, the Finnish pop artist Käärijä got second place in the Eurovision Song Contest with his hit song "Cha Cha Cha".
2023: Life Expectancy and Fertility Rate
In 2023, the life expectancy in Finland was 79 years for men and 84.2 years for women. The fertility rate stood at 1.26 children born per woman, with the mean age at first live birth being 30.3.
March 2024: Alexander Stubb Took Office
On March 1, 2024, Alexander Stubb took office as the President of Finland.
2024: Global Peace Index Ranking
According to the 2024 Global Peace Index, Finland is the 13th most peaceful country in the world.
2024: Household Composition
As of 2024, 47% of households in Finland consisted of a single person, 32% two persons and 21% three or more persons.
2024: Evangelical Lutheran Church Membership
As of 2024, 62.2% of Finns were members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, the country's largest religious body. The church has been experiencing a decline in membership, decreasing roughly one percent annually.
2024: Finland's Immigrant Population
As of 2024, Finland had 623,949 people with a foreign background, making up 11.1% of the population, primarily from the former Soviet Union, Estonia, Iraq, Somalia, Ukraine, China, and India. The country maintains a policy of jus sanguinis for citizenship and 10.3% of the population was foreign born.
2024: Finnish and Swedish are the official languages of Finland
As of 2024, Finnish is the native language of 84.1% of the population, with Swedish spoken in some coastal areas and the autonomous region of Åland. Finnish is part of the Finnic subgroup of the Uralic language family and unrelated to other Nordic languages.
2024: Most common foreign languages in Finland
As of 2024, the most common foreign languages spoken in Finland are Russian (1.8%), Estonian (0.9%), Arabic (0.8%), Ukrainian (0.7%), and English (0.7%).
2024: Alexander Stubb takes over the Presidency
From 2012 until 2024, Sauli Niinistö was elected President of Finland. From 2024, Alexander Stubb took over.
2024: Environmental Performance Index Ranking
In 2024, Finland was ranked 4th in the Environmental Performance Index, which combines various indicators and measures country performance in areas like climate change mitigation, waste management, air pollution, and air quality.
2024: IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook ranked Finland 15th most competitive
In 2024, the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook ranked Finland as the 15th most competitive nation, reflecting its position in the global economy.
2025: Global Innovation Index
Finland has been ranked seventh in the Global Innovation Index in 2025.
2025: Finland ranked 13th in the global Index of Economic Freedom
In 2025, Finland was ranked 13th in the global Index of Economic Freedom and ninth in Europe, indicating a strong standing in economic freedom.
2025: The University of Helsinki is ranked 117th in the Top University Ranking
In 2025, the University of Helsinki is ranked 117th in the Top University Ranking.
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