Finland’s net immigration at exceptionally high level
In the current millennium, the number of immigrants has only once before exceeded the 2011 figure

Last year, the difference between the number of immigrants entering Finland and that of emigrants leaving Finland was higher than ever before since the nation achieved independence in 1917.

The fact is indicated by Statistics Finland’s preliminary population projection, published on Thursday. The figures will be revised in the spring.

In the course of 2011, a total of 28,250 people moved into Finland, while the number of people emigrating from the country was 12,470. The statistics are based on the Population Register Centre’s data on the permanent residence of people living in Finland.

In the current millennium, the number of immigrants has been higher than last year only once before, namely in 2008.

More than one quarter of immigrants, slightly less than 7,700 individuals, were returning Finnish citizens.

The next largest group of immigrants included Estonian and Russian citizens: slightly more than 5,000 Estonians and slightly less than 2,800 Russians.

The number of Somali, Iraqi, and Chinese immigrants was slightly more than 700.

In 2011, the number of emigrated Finnish citizens (9,190) was higher than that of returning Finns.

At the same time, almost 500 Estonian citizens and about 200 Russians emigrated from Finland.

Statistics Finland has not analysed the reasons for the growth in immigration.

Traditionally, the most significant reasons for immigration have included study, work, and family.

According to the preliminary data, the number of residents in Finland was around 5.4 million at the end of last year.

In 2011, the number of births was more than 9.500 higher than that of deaths.

When it comes to the population of different provinces, Uusimaa and Pirkanmaa enjoyed the largest migration gain, while the provinces with the greatest population losses were South Savo and Kainuu.

In Uusimaa, which includes Helsinki, the population grew to 1,548,686, an increase of some 16,400.

Some 29% of the finnish population live in the Uusimaa region, and a further 9% in Pirkanmaa, highlighting the hour-glass nature of Finnish internal migration away from the largely rural north and east of the country towards the cities of the south.
http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Fin.../1135270275905