Finland Country Insight

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Key Facts

GDP (ppp) per CAPITA: $36,900 (2008 est.)
Inflation Rate: 4.1% (2008 est.)
Population: 5,250,275 (July 2009 est.)
Country Risk Ratings: A2
Ease of Doing Business: 14/181
Global Competitiveness: 5.5/134

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Finland : Introduction

Finland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden from the 12th to the 19th centuries, and an autonomous grand duchy of Russia after 1809. It won its complete independence in 1917. During World War II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and resist invasions by the Soviet Union - albeit with some loss of territory. In the subsequent half century, the Finns made a remarkable transformation from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy; per capita income is now among the highest in Western Europe. A member of the European Union since 1995, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January 1999.

Capital City: Helsinki (+2 GMT)

Currency: Euro (EUR) (convert)

Languages: Finnish 91.2% (official), Swedish 5.5% (official), other 3.3% (small Sami- and Russian-speaking minorities)

Calling Code: 358

Voltage: 230

Religions: Lutheran Church of Finland 82.5%, Orthodox Church 1.1%, other Christian 1.1%, other 0.1%, none 15.1%

quick links

Finland: Country Commercial Guide
Finland: World Bank Doing Business Indicators
Finland: Economist Country Briefing
Finland: BBC Country Profile
Finland: MSU Global Access

Finland: Bank of Finland: The Bank of Finland is responsible for maintaining the currency supply in Finland, for investing foreign reserve assets and for contributing to the efficiency and development of payment and overall financial systems. Site is available in English, Finnish, and Swedish.

Finland: Helsinki Stock Exchange

Finland: Statistics Finland: The Finland in Figures section provides statistical data on Finland's economy and economic trends. Information covering 25 data topics includes: population, trade, energy, industry sectors, science, technology research and labor market data. The World in Figures section provides international statistical data for countries worldwide in downloadable Excel files. (Available in Finnish)

Finland: The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy: ETLA (The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy) publishes forecasts, research reports, and discussion papers in several different series. The site offers information on ETLA's researches, available reports, as well as available databases. The service is fee-based.

Sources:
CIA World Factbook (September 2009)
U.S. Dept. of State Country Background Notes (September 2009)