City Profile: Helsinki
General Overview
Education & Innovation
Governance & Transparency
Health & Well-being
Mobility & Transport
Environment & Sustainability
Economy & Business
General Overview
- Country: Finland
- Population of the city: 658864
- Area of the city measured in square kilometres (km²): 686
- Budget of the city in 2024 (GBP): 4 390 000 000 GBP
- Percentage of population of the country living in the city: 11.70%
- GDP PER PERSON: 35604
- REAL GDB - GROWTH: 0.5
- Percentage of all employed individuals in public administration: 30.00%
Education & Innovation
- The highest ranking position of university in global educational indexes: 101-150
- Percentage of citizens taking part in formal education - lifelong learning: 13.00%
- The percentage of income that should be allocated to cover the cost of studies: 0.00%
- Percentage of the population who knew at least one foreign language: 90.00%
- Percentage of population with digital skills: 94.00%
- Patent granted per 10,000 residents: 1.05
Governance & Transparency
- Voter turnout in the most recent supranational elections (%): 40.38%
- Voter turnout in the last local elections (%): 76.60%
- Percentage of the city’s budget allocated to projects run by NGOs: 0.57%
- City have its own open data website, or does it regularly report and publish its data on the national open data platform managed by a government agency: yes
- Datasets containing information about the city and its residents which are available on the open data portal managed by the city or a government agency to which the city provides information: 576
- E-services: fault reporting system, electronic payments, on-line appointment schedulin: yes
- Existence of up-to-date and officially adopted development strategy: yes
Health & Well-being
- Percentage of population with medical insurance: 100.00%
- Number of doctors per 1,000 residents: 4.4
- Life Expectancy Rate (at birth): 82.63
- Obesity rate: 25.00%
- Average number of working hours: 40
- Percentage of the adult population receiving support and coordinated mental health care: 8.50%
- The number of suicide attempts per 1,000 residents: 0.13
Mobility & Transport
- Green Mobility Share (%): 77.00%
- Existence of electronic payment system for transportation services, such as payments by card at terminals or via a mobile app: yes
- Payment via the city's mobile application: yes
- Payment via a special payment card at a terminal in the public transport vehicle: yes
- Payment via a debit or credit card at a terminal in the public transport vehicle: yes
- Existence of intelligent traffic management system (ITS): yes
- Public transport network km per 100 resident: 0.06
- Distance to the nearest airport offering international flights: 0
- City provide data on public transportation (e.g., departure times, real-time location of public transport vehicles) through an open data portal managed by the city or a government entity: yes
- City provide on its website, mobile app, or through collaboration with other entities the ability to plan a journey using public transportation, known as a journey planner: yes
Environment & Sustainability
- Efficient use of electricity (per GDP): 0.4
- Average PM10 value in the city: 24
- Existence of biodiversity protection strategy in the city: yes
- Recycling rate: 39.00%
- Number of parks per square kilometre: 0.09
- Existence of any documents or municipal legal solutions promoting the use of renewable energy: yes
- Existance of information about CO2 emissions: yes
Economy & Business
- Number of businesses per 1,000 residents: 217.21
- Number of new businesses per 1,000 residents: 84.72
- Unemployment rate: 12.00%
- Number of foreign affiliates per 10,000 residents: 7.1
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Rank:
GOLD
Points:
908
Helsinki, the vibrant capital of Finland, is a city that masterfully balances modern innovation with a deep respect for nature and sustainability. Home to 658,864 residents and spanning 686 square kilometers, it is the heart of Finland’s economic, cultural, and political landscape. The city accounts for 11.7% of the country's total population and operates with a substantial 2024 budget of £4.39 billion GBP, ensuring continuous development and high-quality public services. With a GDP per capita of £35,604 and a real GDP growth of 0.5%, Helsinki remains a stable and forward-thinking metropolis, where 30% of the workforce is engaged in public administration, ensuring efficient governance and city management.
Education and innovation form the backbone of Helsinki’s success. The city is home to a globally ranked university within the 101-150 range, and 13% of residents actively participate in lifelong learning. Higher education is accessible and tuition-free, allowing for an inclusive knowledge-driven society. Multilingualism is a key asset, with 90% of the population speaking at least one foreign language, and digital literacy is high, with 94% of residents proficient in digital skills. Helsinki also fosters innovation, granting 1.05 patents per 10,000 residents, reflecting its steady advancements in research and technology.
Helsinki’s governance is built on transparency and active citizen participation. While voter turnout in the most recent supranational elections stood at 40.38%, local elections saw a significantly higher engagement at 76.6%. The city maintains a robust open data initiative, with 576 datasets available for public access. A strategic development framework is in place, and Helsinki consistently updates its policies to promote sustainable urban growth. Additionally, 0.57% of the city’s budget is allocated to projects run by NGOs, further strengthening community engagement and social support.
Health and well-being are integral to Helsinki’s identity. The city provides universal healthcare, ensuring 100% of residents have medical insurance and access to 4.4 doctors per 1,000 residents. Life expectancy is high at 82.63 years, reflecting the strong healthcare system and high quality of life. However, Helsinki faces challenges in mental health, with 8.5% of the adult population receiving coordinated support and a suicide attempt rate of 0.13 per 1,000 residents. The city’s active lifestyle is balanced with an obesity rate of 25%, while the average workweek stands at 40 hours, promoting a healthy work-life equilibrium.
Sustainable mobility is a defining feature of Helsinki’s urban infrastructure, with 77% of all transport classified as green. The city’s intelligent traffic management system enhances efficiency, and public transport extends 0.06 kilometers per 100 residents, ensuring accessibility. Digitalization in transport is highly advanced, offering seamless payment solutions via mobile apps, special transport cards, and debit or credit cards. Helsinki’s international airport is conveniently located within city limits, providing direct global connectivity. The city also offers real-time public transportation data and journey-planning tools, reinforcing its commitment to smart mobility solutions.
Helsinki leads in environmental sustainability, integrating clean energy and ecological policies into its urban development. The city efficiently manages electricity consumption at 0.4 per GDP and maintains an average PM10 air quality level of 24. Biodiversity protection strategies are well-established, and municipal policies actively promote renewable energy. Recycling initiatives have reached a 39% rate, and while Helsinki has a relatively low number of parks at 0.09 per square kilometer, its green policies ensure well-preserved natural spaces. Additionally, Helsinki diligently monitors CO2 emissions as part of its ongoing sustainability efforts.
The economic landscape of Helsinki is dynamic and entrepreneurial. With 217.21 businesses per 1,000 residents and an impressive 84.72 new businesses established per 1,000 residents annually, the city is a hub for startups and innovation. However, Helsinki faces an unemployment rate of 12%, signaling the need for ongoing economic policies to stimulate job creation. Foreign investment is significant, with 7.1 foreign affiliates per 10,000 residents, reflecting the city’s attractiveness as a business and trade hub.
Education and innovation form the backbone of Helsinki’s success. The city is home to a globally ranked university within the 101-150 range, and 13% of residents actively participate in lifelong learning. Higher education is accessible and tuition-free, allowing for an inclusive knowledge-driven society. Multilingualism is a key asset, with 90% of the population speaking at least one foreign language, and digital literacy is high, with 94% of residents proficient in digital skills. Helsinki also fosters innovation, granting 1.05 patents per 10,000 residents, reflecting its steady advancements in research and technology.
Helsinki’s governance is built on transparency and active citizen participation. While voter turnout in the most recent supranational elections stood at 40.38%, local elections saw a significantly higher engagement at 76.6%. The city maintains a robust open data initiative, with 576 datasets available for public access. A strategic development framework is in place, and Helsinki consistently updates its policies to promote sustainable urban growth. Additionally, 0.57% of the city’s budget is allocated to projects run by NGOs, further strengthening community engagement and social support.
Health and well-being are integral to Helsinki’s identity. The city provides universal healthcare, ensuring 100% of residents have medical insurance and access to 4.4 doctors per 1,000 residents. Life expectancy is high at 82.63 years, reflecting the strong healthcare system and high quality of life. However, Helsinki faces challenges in mental health, with 8.5% of the adult population receiving coordinated support and a suicide attempt rate of 0.13 per 1,000 residents. The city’s active lifestyle is balanced with an obesity rate of 25%, while the average workweek stands at 40 hours, promoting a healthy work-life equilibrium.
Sustainable mobility is a defining feature of Helsinki’s urban infrastructure, with 77% of all transport classified as green. The city’s intelligent traffic management system enhances efficiency, and public transport extends 0.06 kilometers per 100 residents, ensuring accessibility. Digitalization in transport is highly advanced, offering seamless payment solutions via mobile apps, special transport cards, and debit or credit cards. Helsinki’s international airport is conveniently located within city limits, providing direct global connectivity. The city also offers real-time public transportation data and journey-planning tools, reinforcing its commitment to smart mobility solutions.
Helsinki leads in environmental sustainability, integrating clean energy and ecological policies into its urban development. The city efficiently manages electricity consumption at 0.4 per GDP and maintains an average PM10 air quality level of 24. Biodiversity protection strategies are well-established, and municipal policies actively promote renewable energy. Recycling initiatives have reached a 39% rate, and while Helsinki has a relatively low number of parks at 0.09 per square kilometer, its green policies ensure well-preserved natural spaces. Additionally, Helsinki diligently monitors CO2 emissions as part of its ongoing sustainability efforts.
The economic landscape of Helsinki is dynamic and entrepreneurial. With 217.21 businesses per 1,000 residents and an impressive 84.72 new businesses established per 1,000 residents annually, the city is a hub for startups and innovation. However, Helsinki faces an unemployment rate of 12%, signaling the need for ongoing economic policies to stimulate job creation. Foreign investment is significant, with 7.1 foreign affiliates per 10,000 residents, reflecting the city’s attractiveness as a business and trade hub.