E2 Research studied: Finns show flexible language attitudes
A little over half of Finns (56%) are willing to receive treatment from a doctor or nurse who is still learning Finnish or Swedish. A majority of Finns (68%) are also willing to help immigrants learn our languages. The study also reveals that global affairs do not shake the core elements of Finnish identity: Finnishness is an integral part of identity for nearly everyone (87%). Nordic and European identities, as well as mother tongue, also play a strong role in shaping how Finns see themselves.
E2 Research conducted the study on behalf of the Finnish Cultural Foundation and the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland. It examined Finnish identities and attitudes towards language learning, multilingualism, and the future language landscape. It also mapped practices related to multilingual interaction across various regions of Finland. Survey and interview data were gathered in February and March 2025.
More than half accept care from healthcare personnel who are still learning Finnish
A little over half (56%) of Finns are willing to receive care from a doctor or nurse who is still learning Finnish or Swedish. Swedish speakers are, on average, more positive about this than others. However, a majority of Finns (75%) are not willing to receive government services in any language other than their mother tongue.
“Finland needs skilled personnel in many sectors. For international recruitment, it’s good news that developing language skills—for example among nurses or doctors—is met with a positive attitude. While the study confirms that mother tongue is a central part of Finnish identity, we are open to multilingualism. This is especially visible among young people and those over 75. Diverse use of languages fosters hope for the future,” says Susanna Pettersson, CEO of the Finnish Cultural Foundation.
Majority of Finns want to help immigrants learn Finnish or Swedish
Most Finns (93%) hope that foreigners moving to Finland will learn either Finnish or Swedish. This aspiration is supported by the fact that a majority (68%) are willing to assist immigrants in learning our national languages. Among Swedish speakers, a significant majority (84%) are also prepared to help Finnish speakers learn Swedish. Similarly, most Finnish speakers (67%) are willing to help Swedish speakers learn Finnish.
Äidinkielenään ruotsia puhuvista suomalaisista valtaosa (84 %) on valmis auttamaan myös suomenkielisiä oppimaan ruotsia. Enemmistö suomenkielisistäkin (67 %) on valmis auttamaan ruotsinkielisiä suomen kielen oppimisessa.
“There are many encouraging results in E2 Research’s report. For example, the clear majority’s positive attitude toward learning foreign languages and the willingness of both Finnish and Swedish speakers to help one another learn the other language. At the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland, we also find many benchmarks in this report. It clearly shows how important it is to meet across language borders, to dare to use each other’s languages, and also that more and better language education is needed in Finland,” says Sören Lillkung, CEO of the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland.
Mother tongue is a big part of identity, but most still enjoy speaking foreign languages
Finnishness is a significant aspect of identity for nearly everyone (87%). Nordic identity (68%), European identity (68%), and mother tongue (75%) also strongly shape how Finns perceive themselves.
Although mother tongue plays a central role in identity, language learning is greatly esteemed. The most substantial motivator for language study is the belief that broad language skills contribute to a well-rounded education. Nearly half (49%) of Finns agree with this.
A large majority (85%) wish to be understood in their mother tongue; nonetheless, two-thirds (65%) are content to speak a foreign language, even if their skills are imperfect. This willingness is particularly pronounced among Swedish-speaking Finns.
Dialects are valued, but speaking standard language is seen as a sign of education
Nearly 90% of Finns appreciate the diverse dialects spoken throughout the country. However, 70% believe that the ability to speak standard language indicates education and prefer its use in official contexts.
Respondents described their language use in various situations:
“Pori dialect. But at work, standard Finnish.”
“‘Mie’ and ‘sie’ slip in, otherwise I speak near standard Finnish.”
“A mix, depending on grandparents and where I’ve lived.”
“Western Nyland dialect, more precisely the Ekenäs dialect.”
“Probably youth slang and so-called ‘Finglish.’”
“A mix of Finnish dialects, but mostly Meänkieli.”
A majority supports strengthening the status of Sámi languages
Two-thirds (65%) of Finns hope that the status of Sámi languages will be strengthened in the future. Among Swedish-speaking Finns, nearly three-quarters (73%) concur.
The idea of strengthening Sámi language status divides supporters of political parties. Approximately half of the supporters of the National Coalition Party (50%) and the Finns Party (52%) endorse this aim. Supporters of the Left Alliance (83%), the Greens (82%), the Swedish People’s Party (76%), the Social Democrats (71%), and the Centre Party (68%) are more decisively in favour.
“Dare to speak, take time to listen” – A study on Finns’ language attitudes and identities
The study was conducted by E2 Research, an independent, multidisciplinary research institute. Two survey datasets were collected for the study. The mainland Finnish dataset was gathered via Norstat’s online panel between 19 February and 9 March 2025, involving 1,069 respondents. The data was weighted to reflect population statistics for age, gender, and location.
A second dataset, collected from Swedish-speaking Finns, included 84 telephone interviews and 409 online panel responses (N=493). This data was collected between 19 February and 7 March 2025. The Swedish-speaking respondents primarily reside in Ostrobothnia, Helsinki-Uusimaa, and Southwest Finland. This dataset allows for a more reliable examination of Swedish-speaking identities and attitudes than is typically possible.
The survey data was supplemented by three qualitative, thematic group interviews conducted in March 2025. These interviews explored effective everyday multilingual practices in Ostrobothnia and the capital region. Participants included city officials, university staff, company employees, and representatives from NGOs. Interviewees comprised individuals born in Finland and abroad, representing a variety of mother tongues.
