The Benefits and Drawbacks of Living in Finland (Top Pros and Cons of Living in Finland!)
However, good things are hard to come by, as Finland, as a Northern European country, has to endure harsh winters and limited daylight year after year. Here are some more advantages and disadvantages (Pros and Cons) of living in Finland to help you decide whether or not to prepare for it.
The Benefits of Living in Finland (Pros of Living in Finland)
1. High Earnings
Finland is one of the most stable countries in the world, and its GDP is also the reason it is the happiest country in the world. Finland’s highly industrialized economy is focused primarily on telecommunications equipment, vehicles, and forestry products. Finland also produces more than 10% of the world’s paper and paperboard.
2. Generous and Trustworthy Society
In Finland, the phrase “How are you?” literally means “How are you?” You should expect nothing but a remarkably truthful answer to any question you ask the Finns.
Finnis people are also known for being truthful about everything they do, think, and tell. Furthermore, they serve as global ambassadors of generosity.
3. Live a Healthy Life
It may come as a surprise to some of us, but in Finland, universal healthcare is provided. If you are in an accident or become ill, you will receive the best care available anywhere in the world at no cost to you.
Health-care services in Finland are likely to be the least costly in the country. To give you an idea, raising a baby in Finland is 200 times cheaper than in the United States.
4. Levels of Corruption
Finland is one of the world’s least corrupt nations. It has always ranked near the top of the corruption index. The index reading in 2018 was 85 out of 100, with 0 being the most corrupt countries in the world.
5. A Sound Educational System
One of the strongest aspects of Finland is its attitude toward the teaching profession. The government ensures that teachers are well compensated and receive excellent training. It is impossible to find a teacher who is dissatisfied with his or her life.
The education system in Finland is considered to be very student-friendly, and no students have reported being victims of a hectic academic calendar to date. Students are not required to complete difficult homework and assignments. In Finland, no student spends more than half an hour at home for schoolwork.
6. High Rate of Literacy
The Finnish are voracious readers. In Finland, massive and beautiful public libraries are a popular sight. The Finnish people consider the library to be an essential part of their daily lives.
The ability to communicate in Finnish is not needed in Finland. In Finland, everybody speaks English and Swedish. The culture of sending students to other countries has also made a significant difference because they are exposed to different languages and cultures.
7. Violence and criminal activity are kept to a minimum.
When a parent expresses his or her comfort in knowing that his or her child will be playing in the neighborhood, whether with a stranger or a friend, you know you live in a safe and peaceful country. Finland is an excellent place to raise a family. Except in the busiest cities in Finland, such as Helsinki and Tampere, illegal activity is almost non-existent.
According to the World Economic Forum’s 2017 survey, Finland is the safest country in the world. Finland is also the best place for tourists to visit.
The Drawbacks of Living in Finland (Cons of Living in Finland)
The benefits of living in Finland are accompanied by several drawbacks. While Finland is one of the best places to live, it does have some minor issues that people find unfavorable at times.
1. Harsh Winters and Scarce Sunlight
Northern Finland experiences the harshest winters, with temperatures as low as -50°C. Indeed, the entire country is notorious for its exceptionally cold winters with heavy snowfall and, at times, snowstorms. In Finland, bright sunlight is an uncommon occurrence.
2. Living Expenses
Finland is one of the most expensive nations, with a high cost of living. Helsinki is Finland’s most expensive city. For an average lifestyle in Finland, you’ll need to spend more than 2000 Euros per person. The cost of living in Finland is higher than in more than 80% of the world’s countries.
3. Addiction to Alcoholism
Finland, like many other European countries, has a long history of alcohol use. For several years, the nation has struggled with excessive alcoholism. However, alcoholism-related abuse and illegal activity are extremely rare.
4. Increased Rate of Depression
Unfortunately, Finland is also regarded as a rare country with the highest number of unhappy people. The rainy weather is generally blamed for the depression, and people choose to stay at home more often than not. Outdoor activities on a regular basis are extremely rare, so holidays and hormonal gatherings are also minimal.
5. Immigrants’ Difficult Language
While Finnish is said to be one of the easiest languages to learn, many foreigners and immigrants struggle with it. People are likely to believe this because it is rational and well-established.
People, in particular, find the words difficult to pronounce.
6. Excessive Taxation
When it comes to government taxation, living in Finland can be discouraging at times. In Finland, income taxes are a whopping 31.75 percent. People must also pay social security premiums and a levy on public broadcasting.
Finns pay taxes on their wages, pensions, capital gains from savings, and social benefits. People’s earned income is subject to state taxes, local taxes, and church taxes.
It is assumed that the government is able to provide universal healthcare in Finland because of these high tax rates.
