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Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture-products) [time series]

cereals, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; annual fish catch about 160,000 metric tons

Budget [time series]

revenues: $33 billion expenditures: $40 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 markka (FMk) or Finmark = 100 pennia

Debt - external (Debt-external) [time series]

$30 billion (December 1993)

Economic aid [time series]

donor: ODA, $355 million (1993)

Economic overview (Economy-overview) [time series]

Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economy, with per capita output roughly that of the UK, France, Germany, and Italy. Its key economic sector is manufacturing-principally the wood, metals, and engineering industries. Trade is important, with the export of goods representing about 30% of GDP. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods. Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. Forestry, an important export earner, provides a secondary occupation for the rural population. The economy has come back from the recession of 1990-92, which had been caused by economic overheating, depressed foreign markets, and the dismantling of the barter system between Finland and the former Soviet Union under which Soviet oil and gas had been exchanged for Finnish manufactured goods. The Finns voted in an October 1994 referendum to enter the EU, and Finland officially joined the Union on 1 January 1995. Attempts to cut the unacceptably high rate of unemployment and increasing integration with Western Europe will dominate the economic picture over the next few years. Despite high unemployment and moderate GDP growth of 3.9% anticipated for 1998, inflation is forecast to rise to 2.5%

Electricity - capacity (Electricity-capacity) [time series]

14.143 million kW (1995)

Electricity - consumption per capita (Electricity-consumption per capita) [time series]

13,181 kWh (1995)

Electricity - production (Electricity-production) [time series]

58.626 billion kWh (1995)

Exchange rates [time series]

markkaa (FMk) per US$1-5.4948 (January 19987), 5.1914 (1997), 4.5936 (1996), 4.3667 (1995), 5.2235 (1994), 5.7123 (1993)

Exports [time series]

total value: $38.4 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: paper and pulp, machinery, chemicals, metals, timber partners: EU 46.5% (Germany 13.4%, UK 10.4%), Sweden 10.1%, US 6.7%, Japan 2.6%, Russia 4.8% (1995)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year Communications

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity-$102.1 billion (1997 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP-composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 7% industry: 37% services: 56% (1995)

Real GDP per capita (GDP-per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity-$20,000 (1997 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP-real growth rate) [time series]

4.6% (1997 est.)

Imports [time series]

total value: $29.3 billion (c.i.f., 1996) commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics, fodder grains partners: EU 44% (Germany 16.6%, UK 8.0%), Sweden 11.7%, US 7.1%, Russia 7.1%, Japan 6.3% (1995)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

7.4% (1995)

Industries [time series]

metal products, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, copper refining, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing

Inflation rate (consumer prices) (Inflation rate-consumer price index) [time series]

1.2% (1997 est.)

Labor force [time series]

total: 2.533 million by occupation: public services 30.4%, industry 20.9%, commerce 15.0%, finance, insurance, and business services 10.2%, agriculture and forestry 8.6%, transport and communications 7.7%, construction 7.2%

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 6, FM 105, shortwave 0

Radios [time series]

4.98 million (1991 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

good service from cable and microwave radio relay network domestic: cable and microwave radio relay international: 1 submarine cable; satellite earth stations-access to Intelsat transmission service via a Swedish satellite earth station, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note-Finland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

2.5 million (1995 est.)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

235

Televisions [time series]

1.92 million (1995 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

14.6% (1997 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 337,030 sq km land: 305,470 sq km water: 31,560 sq km

Area - comparative (Area-comparative) [time series]

slightly smaller than Montana

Climate [time series]

cold temperate; potentially subarctic, but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes

Coastline [time series]

1,126 km (excludes islands and coastal indentations)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Haltiatunturi 1,328 m

Environment - current issues (Environment-current issues) [time series]

air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations

International environmental agreements (Environment-international agreements) [time series]

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94

Geographic coordinates [time series]

64 00 N, 26 00 E

Geography - note (Geography-note) [time series]

long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain

Irrigated land [time series]

640 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 2,628 km border countries: Norway 729 km, Sweden 586 km, Russia 1,313 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 8% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 76% other: 16% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

contiguous zone: 6 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm territorial sea: 12 nm (in the Gulf of Finland-3 nm)

Natural hazards [time series]

Natural resources [time series]

timber, copper, zinc, iron ore, silver

Terrain [time series]

mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

6 provinces (laanit, singular-laani); Aland, Etela-Suomen Laani, Ita-Suomen Lanni, Lansi-Suomen Laani, Lappi, Oulun Laani

Constitution [time series]

17 July 1919

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Finland conventional short form: Finland local long form: Suomen Tasavalta local short form: Suomi

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Derek N. SHEARER embassy: Itainen Puistotie 14A, FIN-00140, Helsinki mailing address: APO AE 09723 telephone: [358] (9) 171931

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Jaakko Tapani LAAJAVA chancery: 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 298-5800

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Martti AHTISAARI (since 1 March 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Paavo LIPPONEN (since 13 April 1995) and Deputy Prime Minister Sauli NIINISTO (since 13 April 1995) cabinet: Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to Parliament elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 31 January-6 February 1994 (next to be held NA January 2000); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president election results: Martti AHTISAARI elected president; percent of vote-Martti AHTISAARI 54%, Elisabeth REHN 46%

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[1] (202) 298-6030 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[358] (9) 174681

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

white with a blue cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

6 December 1917 (from Russia)

International organization participation [time series]

AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNPREDEP, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus, judges appointed by the president

Legal system [time series]

civil law system based on Swedish law; Supreme Court may request legislation interpreting or modifying laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 19 March 1995 (next to be held NA March 1999) election results: percent of vote by party-Social Democratic Party 28.3%, Center Party 19.9%, National Coalition (Conservative) Party 17.9%, Leftist Alliance (Communist) 11.2%, Swedish People's Party 5.1%, Green League 6.5%, Ecology Party 0.3%, Rural 1.3%, Finnish Christian League 3.0%, Liberal People's Party 0.6%, Young Finns 2.8%; seats by party-Social Democratic Party 63, Center Party 44, National Coalition (Conservative) Party 39, Leftist Alliance (Communist) 22, Swedish People's Party 11, Green League 9, Ecology Party 1, Rural 1, Finnish Christian League 7, Young Finns 2, Aaland Islands 1

Capital (National capital) [time series]

Helsinki

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 6 December (1917)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

government coalition: Social Democratic Party [Paavo LIPPONEN]; National Coalition (conservative) Party [Sauli NIINISTO]; Leftist Alliance (Communist) composed of People's Democratic League and Democratic Alternative [Claes ANDERSSON]; Swedish People's Party [(Johan) Ole NORRBACK]; Green League [Pekka HAAVISTO] other: Center Party [Esko AHO]; Finnish Christian League [C. P. Bjarne KALLIS]; Rural Party [Raimo VISTBACKA]; Liberal People's Party [Pekka RYTILA]; Greens Ecological Party or EPV [Eugen PARKATTI]; Young Finns [Risto PENTTILA]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Finnish Communist Party-Unity [Yrjo HAKANEN]; Constitutional Rightist Party; Finnish Pensioners Party; Communist Workers Party [Timo LAHDENMAKI]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Army, Navy, Air Force, Frontier Guard (includes Sea Guard)

Military expenditures - dollar figure (Military expenditures-dollar figure) [time series]

$1.9 billion (1995)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures-percent of GDP) [time series]

1.6% (1995)

Military manpower - availability (Military manpower-availability) [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,286,563 (1998 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service (Military manpower-fit for military service) [time series]

males: 1,059,657 (1998 est.)

Military manpower - military age (Military manpower-military age) [time series]

17 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually (Military manpower-reaching military age annually) [time series]

males: 33,492 (1998 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 19% (male 488,974; female 469,343) 15-64 years: 67% (male 1,736,883; female 1,700,466) 65 years and over: 14% (male 284,929; female 468,647) (July 1998 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

11.24 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Death rate [time series]

9.65 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Finn 93%, Swede 6%, Lapp 0.11%, Gypsy 0.12%, Tatar 0.02%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

3.82 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)

Languages [time series]

Finnish 93.5% (official), Swedish 6.3% (official), small Lapp- and Russian-speaking minorities

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 77.15 years male: 73.61 years female: 80.83 years (1998 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% (1980 est.) male: NA% female: NA%

Nationality [time series]

noun: Finn(s) adjective: Finnish

Net migration rate [time series]

0.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Population [time series]

5,149,242 (July 1998 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.2% (1998 est.)

Religions [time series]

Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Greek Orthodox 1%, none 9%, other 1%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female (1998 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.73 children born/woman (1998 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international (Disputes-international) [time series]

none

Illicit drugs [time series]

minor transshipment point for Latin American cocaine for the West European market FRANCE

Transportation

Airports [time series]

158 (1997 est.)

Airports - with paved runways (Airports-with paved runways) [time series]

total: 69 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 23 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 21 under 914 m: 9 (1997 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways (Airports-with unpaved runways) [time series]

total: 89 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 84 (1997 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 77,782 km paved: 49,780 km (including 431 km of expressways) unpaved: 28,002 km (1996 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 93 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,069,794 GRT/1,127,087 DWT ships by type: bulk 8, cargo 22, chemical tanker 5, oil tanker 11, passenger 1, railcar carrier 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 34, short-sea passenger 11 (1997 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

natural gas 580 km

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Hamina, Helsinki, Kokkola, Kotka, Loviisa, Oulu, Pori, Rauma, Turku, Uusikaupunki, Varkaus

Railways [time series]

total: 5,859 km broad gauge: 5,859 km 1.524-m gauge (2,073 km electrified; 480 km double- or more-track) (1996)

Waterways [time series]

6,675 km total (including Saimaa Canal); 3,700 km suitable for steamers