Finland is one of the five Nordic countries and the northernmost country in the EU. Finland is one of the most sparsely-populated countries in the EU and is bordered by Sweden to the west, Norway to the north and Russia to the east.

The most important sectors of Finland’s economy in 2014 were public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (22.2 %), industry (19.8 %) and wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services (16.5 %).

Finland’s main export partners are Germany, Sweden and Russia, while its main import partners are Sweden, Germany and Russia.

Capital: 

Helsinki

Geographical size: 

338 440 km2

Population: 

5 471 753 (2015)

Population as % of total EU: 

1.1 % (2015)

Gross domestic product (GDP): 

€ 207.220 billion (2015)

Official EU language(s): 

Finnish, Swedish

Political system: 

parliamentary republic

EU member country since: 

1 January 1995

Seats in the European Parliament: 

13

Currency: 

 Euro. Member of the eurozone since 1 January 1999

Schengen area member? 

Yes, Schengen Area member since 25 March 2001.

Presidency of the Council: 

Finland has held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU twice, in 1999 and 2006. The next time will be in 2020.