Finland

Summary

Official Name

Republic of Finland

International Conventions

CDE (1971), CPPDCE (2006), CSICH (2013), ECRML (1994), FCPNM (1997), ICCPR (1975), UNCRPD (2016), UNDRIP (2007)

Population

5,528,000

Principal Languages

Finnish, Swedish

Literacy Rate

100% (Roser and Ortiz-Ospina 2018)

General References

Campbell and King 2011, Comrie 1987, Salminen 1997, Salminen 1999, Salminen 2007, Stephens 1976

Language Counts

The number of established languages listed for Finland is 15. All are living languages. Of these, 9 are indigenous and 6 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 4 are institutional, 5 are developing, 1 is vigorous, 2 are in trouble, and 3 are dying. Also listed are 33 unestablished languages.

Languages

Amharic amh: Users: 1,570 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, Ethiopian, South, Transversal, Amharic-Argobba
Arabic, Mesopotamian Spoken acm: Users: 14,000 in Finland (2018). Total Arabic speakers in Finland: 29,500 (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Arabic, North Levantine Spoken apc: Users: 14,000 in Finland (2018). Total Arabic speakers in Finland: 29,500 (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Bengali ben: Users: 3,970 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Eastern, Bengali-Assamese
Bosnian bos: Users: 2,360 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Bulgarian bul: Users: 2,840 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Eastern
Chinese zho: Users: 12,400 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished.
Dutch nld: Users: 1,650 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, Low Saxon-Low Franconian, Low Franconian
English eng: Widespread. Users: 3,890,700 in Finland, all users. L1 users: 20,700 in Finland (2018 census). L2 users: 3,870,000 (European Commission 2012). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Englanti Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
Estonian, Standard ekk: Kymenlaakso and Uusimaa regions; scattered throughout south coast. Users: 49,700 in Finland (2018 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Eesti, Eesti Keel, Eesti Kirjakeel Classification: Uralic, Finnic
Finland-Swedish Sign Language fss: Scattered; south and west coast areas. Users: 300 in Finland (2021 EUD). 300 deaf sign language users (2021 EUD). Another estimate: approximately 150 deaf and 150 hearing, mostly middle-aged and elderly (Takkinen et al 2015). Total users in all countries: 302. Status: 8a (Moribund). Recognized language (2015, Sign Language Act 359/2015). Alternate Names: FinSSL, Finlandssvenskt Teckenspråk, SRVK, Suomenruotsalainen Viittomakieli Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Finnish fin: Users: 5,340,000 in Finland, all users. L1 users: 4,840,000 in Finland (2018 census). 30,000 speakers of Tornedalen Finnish. L2 users: 500,000 (2018 Institute for the Languages of Finland). Total users in all countries: 5,679,640 (as L1: 5,023,640; as L2: 656,000). Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (2000, Constitution, Article 17(1,2)). Autonym: Suomi Classification: Uralic, Finnic
Finnish Sign Language fse: Scattered. Users: 5,000 (2014 EUD). Estimates vary: 3,000 deaf, plus 6,000–9,000 hearing (some L1, some L2, Rainò 2010); 5,000 deaf and 10,000 hearing signers (2006 Institute for the Languages of Finland, 2014 EUD); 26,500 (2014 IMB). Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2011, No. 61, Institute for sign language status). Recognized language (1995, Constitution, Section 17). Recognized language (2015, Sign Language Act 359/2015). Alternate Names: FinSL, SVK, Suomalainen viittomakieli, Viittomakieli Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
French fra: Scattered. Users: 440,400 in Finland, all users. L1 users: 4,400 in Finland (2018 census). L2 users: 436,000 (Beck et al 2018). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
German, Standard deu: Users: 1,001,320 in Finland, all users. L1 users: 6,320 in Finland (2018 census). L2 users: 995,000 (2020). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Deutsch Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Middle German, East Middle German
Greek ell: Users: 1,640 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Greek, Attic
Hindi hin: Users: 2,370 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Western Hindi, Hindustani
Hungarian hun: Users: 2,960 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Uralic
Italian ita: Users: 2,860 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Italo-Dalmatian
Japanese jpn: Users: 1,520 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Japonic
Karelian krl: Northern Ostrobothnia region: Kuusano municipality, Russian border area; mostly scattered throughout the country. Users: 5,000 in Finland (2018 Institute for the Languages of Finland). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Karelian Proper, Karely Classification: Uralic, Finnic
Kurdish, Northern kmr: Users: 14,100 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Kurdish
Latvian, Standard lvs: Users: 2,060 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Baltic, Eastern
Lithuanian lit: Users: 1,490 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Baltic, Eastern
Livvi olo: North Karelia and South Karelia regions: scattered communities. Users: 5,170 in Finland (2000). Ethnic population: 140,000. Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Aunus, Livvikovian, Livvin kieli, Olonets, Olonetsian Classification: Uralic, Finnic
Meänkieli fit: Lapland region: Kolari, Muonio, Pello, Tonio, and Ylitonio western municipalities. Users: 30,000 in Finland (1997 B. Winsa). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Tornedalen Finnish Classification: Uralic, Finnic
Nepali npi: Users: 3,940 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Eastern, Eastern Pahari
Persian, Iranian pes: Users: 13,000 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Persian
Polish pol: Users: 5,440 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Lechitic
Portuguese por: Users: 3,020 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Portuguese-Galician
Romani, Kalo Finnish rmf: Scattered. Users: 10,000 in Finland (2001 census). Total users in all countries: 11,650. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Fíntika Rómma, Kaalo, Roma Autonym: Kaalengo tšibbaha Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Northern
Romanian ron: Users: 4,420 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern
Russian rus: Users: 70,000 in Finland (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 79,200 (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Saami, Inari smn: Lapland region: mostly Utsjoki border town area between Lake Inari and Norway border. Users: 300 (2001 census). 2,000 all Saami in Finland (2018 census). Ethnic population: 700 (1995 M. Krauss). Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Sodankyla in Lapland, 3 municipalities elsewhere (2003, Sami Language Act No. 1086). Alternate Names: Anar, Saam, Saame, Samic, Sámi, “Finnish Lapp” (pej.), “Inari Lappish” (pej.), “Lapp” (pej.) Autonym: Anarâškielâ Classification: Uralic, Sami, Eastern
Saami, North sme: Lapland region: Enontekiö, western Inari, Sodankylä, and Utsjoki municipalities. Users: 1,700 in Finland (2001 census). 2,000 all Saami in Finland (2018 census). Ethnic population: 3,500 (1995 M. Krauss). Status: 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2003, Sami Language Act No. 1086). Alternate Names: Davvin, Northern Lapp, Saame, Same, Sámegiella, “Lapp” (pej.) Classification: Uralic, Sami, Western, Northern
Saami, Skolt sms: Lapland region: Inari municipality, Sevettijärvi area. Users: 300 in Finland (Salminen 2007). 2,000 all Saami in Finland (2018 census). Ethnic population: 500 (1995 M. Krauss). Total users in all countries: 320. Status: 7 (Shifting). Statutory language of provincial identity in Sodankyla in Lapland, 3 municipalities elsewhere (2003, Sami Language Act No. 1086). Alternate Names: Kolta, Koltta, Lopar, Nuõrttsääʹmǩiõll, Russian Lapp, Saame, Same, “Lapp” (pej.), “Skolt Lappish” (pej.) Autonym: Sääʹmǩiõll Classification: Uralic, Sami, Eastern
Somali som: Users: 20,900 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Somali
Spanish spa: Users: 98,300 in Finland, all users. L1 users: 8,100 in Finland (2018 census). L2 users: 90,200 (2020). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Castilian
Swahili swh: Users: 2,070 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Swahili (G.42)
Swedish swe: Kymenlaakso, Ostrobothnia, and Southwest Finland regions. Users: 2,698,000 in Finland, all users. L1 users: 288,000 in Finland (2018 census). L2 users: 2,410,000 (European Commission 2012). Status: 1 (National). Statutory national working language (2000, Constitution, Article 17(1,2)). Alternate Names: Ruotsi, Svenska Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, North, East Scandinavian, Danish-Swedish, Swedish
Tagalog tgl: Users: 4,010 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Greater Central Philippine, Central Philippine, Tagalog
Tamil tam: Users: 1,920 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Dravidian, Southern, Tamil-Kannada, Tamil-Kodagu, Tamil-Malayalam, Tamil
Thai tha: Users: 9,760 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Kra-Dai, Kam-Tai, Tai, Southwestern
Tigrigna tir: Users: 1,240 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, Ethiopian, North
Turkish tur: Users: 8,130 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Turkic, Southern, Turkish
Ukrainian ukr: Users: 4,410 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Urdu urd: Users: 3,170 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Western Hindi, Hindustani
Vietnamese vie: Users: 10,400 in Finland (2018 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Viet-Muong, Vietnamese

Languages by Status

1 (National)

Finnish

[fin] 1 (National). Statutory national language (2000, Constitution, Article 17(1,2)). 5,340,000 in Finland, all users. L1 users: 4,840,000 in Finland (2018 census). 30,000 speakers of Tornedalen Finnish. L2 users: 500,000 (2018 Institute for the Languages of Finland). Total users in all countries: 5,679,640 (as L1: 5,023,640; as L2: 656,000).

Swedish

[swe] 1 (National). Statutory national working language (2000, Constitution, Article 17(1,2)). 2,698,000 in Finland, all users. L1 users: 288,000 in Finland (2018 census). L2 users: 2,410,000 (European Commission 2012).

2 (Provincial)

Saami, Inari

[smn] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Sodankyla in Lapland, 3 municipalities elsewhere (2003, Sami Language Act No. 1086). 300 (2001 census). 2,000 all Saami in Finland (2018 census). Ethnic population: 700 (1995 M. Krauss).

4 (Educational)

English

[eng] 4 (Educational). 3,890,700 in Finland, all users. L1 users: 20,700 in Finland (2018 census). L2 users: 3,870,000 (European Commission 2012).

5 (Dispersed)

German, Standard

[deu] 5* (Dispersed). 1,001,320 in Finland, all users. L1 users: 6,320 in Finland (2018 census). L2 users: 995,000 (2020).

Estonian, Standard

[ekk] 5* (Dispersed). 49,700 in Finland (2018 census).

French

[fra] 5* (Dispersed). 440,400 in Finland, all users. L1 users: 4,400 in Finland (2018 census). L2 users: 436,000 (Beck et al 2018).

5 (Developing)

Finnish Sign Language

[fse] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2011, No. 61, Institute for sign language status). Recognized language (1995, Constitution, Section 17). Recognized language (2015, Sign Language Act 359/2015). 5,000 (2014 EUD). Estimates vary: 3,000 deaf, plus 6,000–9,000 hearing (some L1, some L2, Rainò 2010); 5,000 deaf and 10,000 hearing signers (2006 Institute for the Languages of Finland, 2014 EUD); 26,500 (2014 IMB).

Romani, Kalo Finnish

[rmf] 5* (Developing). 10,000 in Finland (2001 census). Total users in all countries: 11,650.

6a (Vigorous)

Meänkieli

[fit] 6a* (Vigorous). 30,000 in Finland (1997 B. Winsa).

6b (Threatened)

Saami, North

[sme] 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2003, Sami Language Act No. 1086). 1,700 in Finland (2001 census). 2,000 all Saami in Finland (2018 census). Ethnic population: 3,500 (1995 M. Krauss).

7 (Shifting)

Saami, Skolt

[sms] 7 (Shifting). Statutory language of provincial identity in Sodankyla in Lapland, 3 municipalities elsewhere (2003, Sami Language Act No. 1086). 300 in Finland (Salminen 2007). 2,000 all Saami in Finland (2018 census). Ethnic population: 500 (1995 M. Krauss). Total users in all countries: 320.

8a (Moribund)

Finland-Swedish Sign Language

[fss] 8a (Moribund). Recognized language (2015, Sign Language Act 359/2015). 300 in Finland (2021 EUD). 300 deaf sign language users (2021 EUD). Another estimate: approximately 150 deaf and 150 hearing, mostly middle-aged and elderly (Takkinen et al 2015). Total users in all countries: 302.

Karelian

[krl] 8a (Moribund). 5,000 in Finland (2018 Institute for the Languages of Finland).