What is the population of Helsinki?
Helsinki has a city population of 658,864. That is the population within the city's own boundary, not its wider metropolitan area. City population, GeoNames.
About Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital of Finland, with 660,000 residents and 1.5 million in the metro area. The world's northernmost capital of a EU country, Helsinki is known for design excellence, sauna culture, education leadership, and pristine nature. The city combines neoclassical architecture with cutting-edge modernity, all set against a Baltic archipelago.
Metro population
1,322,000
0.016% of world population
Archive estimateAnnual growth
+0.55%
Archive estimateDensity
1,849/km²
715 km² metro area
Key Facts
Country
Region
Rank in region
#1of 17
Founded
1550
Leadership
Daniel Sazonov
Coordinates
60.170, 24.935
Record updated
13 February 2023
Entry edited, not measured
City population, GeoNames. GeoNames publishes no year for its population figures, so “record updated” is when the entry was last edited — not the date the population was measured. Elevation is modelled from a digital elevation model rather than surveyed, so it is approximate.
Nearby Cities
All 78 in FinlandClosest listed cities by great-circle distance from the city centre.
Compared with the World's Largest Cities
City-proper population against the fifteen largest cities in the dataset.
| Name | City population |
|---|---|
| Shanghai | 24.9M |
| Beijing | 19M |
| Shenzhen | 17.5M |
| Guangzhou | 16.1M |
| Kinshasa | 16M |
| Istanbul | 15.7M |
| Lagos | 15.4M |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 14M |
| Chengdu | 13.6M |
| Lahore | 13M |
| Mumbai | 12.7M |
| São Paulo | 12.4M |
| Mexico City | 12.3M |
| Karachi | 11.6M |
| Tianjin | 11.1M |
| Helsinki | 659K |
Airports
Scheduled-service airports within 100 km, nearest first.
- Helsinki Vantaa AirportHEL
17 km from the city centre
Source: OurAirports, matched by distance.
History
Helsinki was founded by Swedish King Gustav Vasa in 1550 but remained small. After Russia conquered Finland (1809), Tsar Alexander I moved the capital from Turku to Helsinki, rebuilding it as a grand neoclassical city. Finland gained independence in 1917. Post-WWII, Helsinki modernized while maintaining architectural heritage. The 1952 Olympics showcased the city.
Economy
Helsinki's economy centers on services, technology (Nokia, gaming—Supercell, Rovio), clean tech, and maritime industries. The city is a leader in education technology. Startup ecosystem is vibrant. High taxes fund excellent public services. Cost of living is high but so is quality. The city attracts international talent.
Culture
Helsinki's culture emphasizes design (Alvar Aalto, Marimekko, Iittala), nature integration, and sauna (2+ million saunas for 5.5 million Finns). Coffee consumption is world-leading. The city is quiet and reserved but warm once acquainted. Museums, music festivals, and Arctic light define the experience. Education is world-renowned.
Transportation
Helsinki has metro, trams, buses, and ferries. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport connects to Europe and Asia. Ferries run to Tallinn (2 hours) and Stockholm. The city is very bike-friendly. Trains connect to Lapland and Russia (when borders open). HSL transit pass covers all modes.
Current Challenges
Helsinki faces harsh winters (dark, cold), housing affordability in growing city, aging population, integration of immigrants, and competition with neighboring Baltic capitals. Climate change affects winter traditions. Maintaining world-class public services requires high taxation.
Highlights
Landmarks & Attractions
- Senate Square and Helsinki Cathedral
- Suomenlinna Sea Fortress (UNESCO)
- Temppeliaukio (Rock Church)
- Market Square
- Design District
- Sibelius Monument
- Ateneum Art Museum
- Oodi Library
- Esplanadi Park
What Helsinki Is Known For
- Design
- Saunas
- Education
- Happiness
- Nordic architecture
- Tech (Nokia, gaming)
Universities
- University of Helsinki
- Aalto University
- Hanken School of Economics
Sports Teams
- HJK Helsinki (football)
- Jokerit (hockey, formerly KHL)
Interesting Facts
- Finns have the most saunas per capita—nearly one per household
- Helsinki residents drink more coffee than anyone else in the world
- The new Oodi Central Library won World's Best Public Library
- Finland has been ranked the world's happiest country multiple years
- Helsinki has thousands of islands in its archipelago
- The Finns invented Linux (Linus Torvalds from Helsinki)
Population Trend in Finland
No free source publishes city population back to 1950, so the parent country's series is shown instead.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 4,008,407 |
| 1960 | 4,429,624 |
| 1970 | 4,606,305 |
| 1980 | 4,779,350 |
| 1990 | 4,986,575 |
| 2000 | 5,176,202 |
| 2010 | 5,363,350 |
| 2020 | 5,529,612 |
| 2030 | 5,592,051 |
| 2040 | 5,480,523 |
| 2050 | 5,351,645 |
| 2060 | 5,198,126 |
| 2070 | 5,059,521 |
| 2080 | 4,912,824 |
| 2090 | 4,756,417 |
| 2100 | 4,601,058 |
Helsinki Population FAQ
Where is Helsinki?
Helsinki is in Uusimaa, Finland. Its coordinates are 60.170, 24.935.
How big is Helsinki compared with other cities in Finland?
It is the 1st largest of the 78 cities listed in Finland, holding 11.7% of the national population.