Country Profile: Finland
Population approx: 5.5 Million
Children under the age of 18: ca. 1 Million
Country situation:
Finland has one of the highest standards of living in the European Union. The government invests heavily in public services such as health, education and social welfare. Two problems haunt Finnish society: alcohol abuse and suicide. Alcohol-related deaths account for most deaths among Finnish men between the ages of 15 and 64. Alcohol is also involved in a quarter of accidental and violent deaths. The country has one of the EU's highest suicide rates, the number of men committing suicide is particularly high.
Regarding child wellbeing, Finland is one of the highest ranking EU countries – this is partly due to the universal public provision of pre-school day care, school education and health. Most of the families who receive support experience alcohol abuse and related issues; mental health problems, domestic violence or inadequate parenting are often found in these households. Estimates suggest that one in ten children lives in family homes where alcohol abuse has a negative effect on their development.
According to statistics in 2020 there are 19,000 children placed in alternative care. In the past decades the number of children who need care outside their family has increased. The Finnish Child Welfare Act states that family-based care should be the main form of care for children placed outside their homes.
In Finland many Christians are involved in child welfare services by being foster, adoptive or support families
Towards a National Movement in Finland:
World Without Orphans Europe has connections with Finnish foster carers but there is as yet no known collaborative movement of Christians involved in the care of children in alternative care or preventative work. World Without Orphans Europe is open to connect with organisations or individuals from Finland interested in improving the wellbeing of Finnish children at risk.
Contact: suvi@europe.withoutorphans.org