Recent research shows that the foreign-speaking population in Finland largely lives in rental housing even though it does not align with their preferences. Renting is notably more common among well-off foreign-speaking individuals than among native Finns. These differences have remained largely consistent from 2015 to 2024. Overall, foreign speakers are much more likely to rent than the native population and their rental apartments are predominantly located on the outskirts of cities across all income levels according to a study by consulting firm MDI and mortgage lender Hypo.
Published: 28/08/25 | 01:59
Middle-income foreign speakers also rent more frequently than middle-income Finns. While most middle-income Finns live in owner-occupied homes only about one-fifth of foreign speakers own their residence. Even a substantial proportion of high-income foreign-speaking newcomers live in rented apartments and apartment buildings.
In major cities population growth especially in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Turku, Jyväskylä, Tampere, and Oulu is largely driven by foreign-speaking residents. If the trend of foreign speakers renting continues over the long term, urban housing in these cities is likely to become increasingly rental-focused.
Despite their current living arrangements the majority of foreign speakers would prefer to own their homes. The study indicates that their housing aspirations are only slightly different from those of the general population and rental housing does not reflect their future goals.
The differences in housing patterns between foreign-speaking and native populations are not primarily due to factors such as family size, age, income or geographic location.
Interviews conducted as part of the study revealed that foreign-speaking immigrants do not particularly choose to rent. Renting is often seen as a necessity influenced by financial constraints, interruptions in employment and immigration policies.
Only a small number of immigrants aspire to live in rural areas or in locations much smaller than major cities. A preference for urban living is slightly more common among foreign speakers than in the overall population.
The research focused on six language groups and their housing situations in seven major Finnish cities with domestic language speakers serving as a comparison group. Foreign speakers account for roughly 350,000 people.
Alongside statistical analysis the study also explored immigrants’ housing preferences through a qualitative survey and interviews. The survey received 63 responses and 14 respondents participated in more detailed interviews conducted in June and early July this year.
