Finland
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Finland
Adult skills (Survey of Adult Skills, PIAAC, 2023)
  • In literacy, 12% of adults (OECD average: 26%) scored at Level 1 or below, meaning they have low literacy proficiency. At Level 1, they can understand short texts and organised lists when information is clearly indicated, find specific information and identify relevant links. Those below Level 1 can at most understand short, simple sentences. At the other end of the spectrum, 35% of adults (OECD average: 12%) scored at Levels 4 or 5 in literacy and are high performers. These adults can comprehend and evaluate long, dense texts across several pages, grasp complex or hidden meanings, and use prior knowledge to understand texts and complete tasks.
  • In numeracy, 12% of adults (OECD average: 25%) scored at or below Level 1 proficiency. At Level 1, they can do basic maths with whole numbers or money, understand decimals, and find single pieces of information in tables or charts, but may struggle with tasks needing multiple steps (e.g. solving a proportion). Those below Level 1 can add and subtract small numbers. Adults at Levels 4 or 5 are top performers (31% in Finland, 14% on average across OECD countries and economies). They can calculate and understand rates and ratios, interpret complex graphs, and critically evaluate statistical claims.
  • In adaptive problem solving, 14% of adults (OECD average: 29%) scored at or below Level 1 proficiency. Adults at Level 1 can solve simple problems with few variables and little irrelevant information, which do not change as they make progress towards the solution. They struggle with multi-step problems, or those needing monitoring of multiple variables. Adults below Level 1 at most understand very simple problems, typically solved in one step. Some 13% of adults (OECD average: 5%) scored at Level 4. They have a deeper understanding of problems, and can adapt to unexpected changes, even if they require a major re-evaluation of the problem.
  • When considering all three domains jointly, 9% of adults in Finland (OECD average: 18%) scored at the two lowest levels of these proficiency scales.
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    The following list displays indicators for which your selected country shows the highest and lowest values among countries. The list can be sorted by level of education or by age group. All rankings are calculated including available data from OECD and partner countries. Find out more about the methodology here.

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    Participation in education

    The percentage of four-year-olds in primary education in Finland is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0 %, rank 7/46 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Graduation

    The average age of bachelor's or equivalent graduates in Finland is among the oldest. (27.7 Years, rank 4/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The average age of master's or equivalent graduates in Finland is among the oldest. (29.1 Years, rank 5/22 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Graduation by gender

    In Finland, the share of female first-time master's graduates is relatively smallest, compared to OECD and partner countries with available data. (52.2 %, rank 21/23 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Graduation by field of education

    In Finland, the proportion of bachelor's, master's and doctoral or equivalent graduates in the field of arts and humanities is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (1 %, rank 6/45 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Finland, the proportion of bachelor's, master's and doctoral or equivalent graduates in the field of STEM is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (3 %, rank 2/44 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Finland, the proportion of bachelor's, master's and doctoral or equivalent graduates in the field of health and welfare is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (2 %, rank 2/45 , 2022) Download Indicator

    Graduation by field of education and gender

    In Finland, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in the field of education is one of the largest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (85.8 %, rank 8/43 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Finland, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in the fields of arts and humanities is one of the largest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (73 %, rank 3/43 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Finland, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in the fields of social sciences, journalism and information is one of the largest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (74.6 %, rank 3/43 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Finland, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in the fields of natural sciences, mathematics and statistics is one of the largest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (60.6 %, rank 10/43 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Finland, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in the fields of agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary is one of the largest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (64.4 %, rank 9/43 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Finland, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in the fields of health and welfare is one of the largest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (84.9 %, rank 3/43 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Student mobility

    (1 %, rank 8/46 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Literacy

    The mean literacy score is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (296 PIAAC Score, rank 1/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The percentage of adults scoring high (at Level 2 or 3) in Iiteracy is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (34.8 %, rank 1/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The percentage of adults scoring at or below level 1 in Iiteracy is low compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (12.4 %, rank 29/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Numeracy

    The mean numeracy score is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (294 PIAAC Score, rank 1/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The percentage of adults scoring high (at Level 2 or 3) in numeracy is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (30.9 %, rank 1/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The percentage of adults scoring at or below level 1 in numeracy is low compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (12.2 %, rank 29/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Adaptive problem solving

    The mean score in adaptive problem solving in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC) is high compared to other participating countries. (276 PIAAC Score, rank 1/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The percentage of adults scoring high (at Level 4) in adaptive problem solving in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC) is high compared to other participating countries. (13.2 %, rank 1/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The percentage of adults scoring low (at or below Level 1) in adaptive problem solving in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC) is low compared to other participating countries. (14.1 %, rank 29/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Skills differences between age groups

    The mean score in adaptive problem solving for 16-24 year-olds is high compared to other participating countries. (288 PIAAC Score, rank 1/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The mean score in adaptive problem solving for 55-65 year-olds is high compared to other participating countries. (254 PIAAC Score, rank 3/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The mean literacy score for young adults (16-24 year-olds) is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (302 PIAAC Score, rank 1/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The mean literacy score for older adults (55-65 year-olds) is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (271 PIAAC Score, rank 2/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The mean numeracy score for young adults (16-24 year-olds) is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (296 PIAAC Score, rank 3/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Skills differences by gender

    The mean score in adaptive problem solving for men is high compared to other participating countries. (278 PIAAC Score, rank 1/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The mean score in adaptive problem solving for women is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (275 PIAAC Score, rank 2/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The mean literacy score among men is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (293 PIAAC Score, rank 1/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The mean literacy score among women is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (300 PIAAC Score, rank 1/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The mean numeracy score among men is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (299 PIAAC Score, rank 1/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The mean numeracy score among women is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (288 PIAAC Score, rank 1/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Skills differences by level of education

    The mean score in adaptive problem solving for adults with below upper secondary education is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (222 PIAAC Score, rank 7/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The mean score in adaptive problem solving for adults with tertiary education is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (287 PIAAC Score, rank 2/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The mean literacy score for adults without upper secondary education is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (224 PIAAC Score, rank 5/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The mean literacy score for adults with tertiary education is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (313 PIAAC Score, rank 1/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The mean numeracy score for adults without upper secondary education is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (228 PIAAC Score, rank 5/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The mean numeracy score for adults with tertiary education is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (312 PIAAC Score, rank 1/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Skills by immigrant and language background

    The mean literacy score for foreign-born adults of foreign-born parents is low compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (202 PIAAC Score, rank 26/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The mean literacy score for native-born adults of native-born parents is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (307 PIAAC Score, rank 1/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The mean numeracy score for native-born adults of native-born parents is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (302 PIAAC Score, rank 1/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The mean score in adaptive problem solving for foreign-born adults of foreign-born parents is low compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (213 PIAAC Score, rank 23/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The mean score in adaptive problem solving for native-born adults of native-born parents is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (283 PIAAC Score, rank 1/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Skills by parents' educational attainment

    The mean score in adaptive problem solving for adults whose parents did not attain upper secondary education is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (255 PIAAC Score, rank 1/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The mean score in adaptive problem solving for adults with at least one parent who attained tertiary education is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (299 PIAAC Score, rank 1/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The mean literacy score for adults whose parents had not attained upper secondary education is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (273 PIAAC Score, rank 1/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The mean literacy score with at least one parent with tertiary education is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (323 PIAAC Score, rank 1/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The mean numeracy score for adults whose parents had not attained upper secondary education is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (272 PIAAC Score, rank 1/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The mean numeracy score with at least one parent with tertiary education is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (320 PIAAC Score, rank 1/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Adults' skills

    The percentage of adults scoring at or below level 1 in literacy and/or numeracy is low compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (9.8 %, rank 29/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The change in mean literacy score in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC) from 2012 to 2023 is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (15 PIAAC Score, rank 1/27 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The change in mean numeracy score in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC) from 2012 to 2023 is high compared to other countries participating in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). (17 PIAAC Score, rank 1/27 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Who the teachers are

    The share of women among teaching staff in tertiary education (bachelor's, master's, doctorate or equivalent education) is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (53.6 %, rank 4/37 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of women among teaching staff in tertiary education is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (53.6 %, rank 5/43 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The percentage of female teachers under 30 in lower secondary education is especially high in Finland. (72 %, rank 9/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Finland, the share of female teachers younger than 30 in tertiary education is relatively small . (48.9 %, rank 27/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The percentage of female teachers aged 50 or more in tertiary education is especially high in Finland. (53.2 %, rank 4/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Finland, the share of upper secondary vocational education teachers aged 50 or more is relatively high, compared to the other countries with available data. (55.9 %, rank 2/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of teachers under 30 in upper secondary vocational education is especially low in Finland. (2.4 %, rank 30/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Finland, the percentage of teachers aged between 30 and 49 in upper secondary vocational education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (41.6 %, rank 28/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Teachers' salaries

    After 15 years of experience, a pre-primary teacher with minimum qualification can expect to have one of the lowest salaries among OECD and partner countries with available data. (43336 USD Equivalent, rank 25/33 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The ratio of primary teachers' salaries to earnings of full-time, full-year workers with tertiary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.69 Ratio, rank 16/19 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Finland, the change in statutory primary education teachers' salaries with 15 years of experience, based on most prevalent qualifications at different points in teachers' careers is relatively small. (94 Index, rank 28/33 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Finland, the change in statutory lower secondary education teachers' salaries with 15 years of experience, based on most prevalent qualifications at different points in teachers' careers is relatively small. (93 Index, rank 28/33 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The average actual pre-primary teacher's salary among teachers aged between 25-64 is one of the lowest per hour of net teaching time among OECD and partner countries with available data. (47120 USD Equivalent, rank 19/28 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The average actual upper secondary teacher's salary among teachers aged between 25-64 is one of the highest per hour of net teaching time among OECD and partner countries with available data. (73575 USD Equivalent, rank 10/32 , 2023) Download Indicator

    After 15 years of experience, a pre-primary teacher with typical qualification can expect to have one of the lowest salaries among OECD and partner countries with available data. (43336 USD Equivalent, rank 25/33 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The ratio of lower secondary male teachers' salaries to earnings of full-time, full-year men workers with tertiary education is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.77 Ratio, rank 7/26 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The salaries of 25-34 year-old general lower-secondary teachers relative to earnings for full-time, full-year similarly educated workers with tertiary education is high in Finland. (0.92 Ratio, rank 9/27 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The salaries of 35-44 year-old general lower-secondary teachers relative to earnings for full-time, full-year similarly educated workers with tertiary education is high in Finland. (0.85 Ratio, rank 9/27 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The salaries of 45-54 year-old general lower-secondary teachers relative to earnings for full-time, full-year similarly educated workers with tertiary education is high in Finland. (0.85 Ratio, rank 7/27 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The salaries of 55-64 year-old general lower-secondary teachers relative to earnings for full-time, full-year similarly educated workers with tertiary education is high in Finland. (0.87 Ratio, rank 8/27 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Finland had some of the lowest actual salaries for junior academic staff in bachelor's, master's and doctoral or equivalent programmes, in public institutions. (52128 USD Equivalent, rank 12/17 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Finland, the actual salaries of intermediate academic staff in public tertiary programmes were among the lowest. (64214 USD Equivalent, rank 12/16 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Teachers' salaries progression

    The salary progression from the start to the top of the salary scale for a lower secondary school teacher is among the least rewarding among OECD and partner countries with available data. (1.3 Ratio, rank 34/42 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Salaries of pre-primary teachers with minimum training at the top of scale are especially low. (43336 USD Equivalent, rank 27/34 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The ratio of pre-primary teachers' salaries at the top of scale to their starting salary is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (1.1 Ratio, rank 35/35 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In pre-primary education, the salary ratio of teachers with maximum qualifications at the top of the salary scale to those with minimum training and starting salaries is relatively low. (1.1 Ratio, rank 35/35 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In lower secondary education, the salary ratio of teachers with maximum qualifications at the top of the salary scale to those with minimum training and starting salaries is comparatively low. (1.3 Ratio, rank 34/42 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Principals' salaries

    The average actual salaries of 25-64 year-old pre-primary school heads is one of the lowest in Finland. (62246 USD Equivalent, rank 16/22 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Ratio of student to teaching staff

    The number of pupils per teacher in pre-primary schools is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (7.7 Ratio, rank 36/38 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the lower secondary level is especially low. (9.2 Ratio, rank 33/38 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the upper secondary level is especially high. (17.4 Ratio, rank 5/41 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Finland, the number of students per teacher in general upper secondary education is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (14.8 Ratio, rank 8/34 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the vocational upper secondary level is especially high in Finland. (19.1 Ratio, rank 2/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Finland, the number of students per teacher in public lower secondary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (9.1 Ratio, rank 33/38 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Finland, the number of students per teacher in all private secondary education is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (18.6 Ratio, rank 3/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Organisation of the education system

    The total compulsory instruction time for lower secondary students in Finland is one of the shortest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (2451 Hours, rank 34/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The total compulsory instruction time for primary and lower secondary student in Finland is among the shortest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (6413 Hours, rank 35/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Finland, compulsory instruction time for primary students, in hours per year, is one of the shortest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (660 Hours, rank 36/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Finland, the intended instruction time for primary students, in hours per year, is one of the shortest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (693 Hours, rank 25/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Finland, compulsory instruction time for lower secondary students, in hours per year, is one of the shortest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (817 Hours, rank 33/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Classes in lower secondary public institutions are comparatively small in Finland. (19 Students, rank 30/35 , 2023) Download Indicator


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    General findings
    
                            
      In the 2023 Survey of Adult Skills, literacy is defined as "accessing, understanding, evaluating, and reflecting on written texts in order to achieve one's goals, to develop one's knowledge and potential, and to participate in society" (Rouet et al., 2021). Proficiency in literacy is crucial for adults across their personal, social and professional spheres, given the prevalence of written communication in various aspects of life. Throughout the day, adults engage in a diverse range of reading activities, spanning from delving into extensive pieces of continuous text to swiftly scanning pages for pertinent information. Examples include reading emails, leaflets, timetables and instruction manuals.
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      In the 2023 Survey of Adult Skills, numeracy encompasses "accessing, using, and reasoning critically with mathematical content, information and ideas represented in multiple ways in order to engage in and manage the mathematical demands of a range of situations in adult life" (Tout et al., 2021). The skills and knowledge needed for work and civic participation, and in more personal spheres of life, have changed. Individuals are presented with ever-increasing amounts of information of a quantitative or mathematical nature through online or technology-based resources, which have to be located, selected or filtered, interpreted, and at times questioned and doubted, and analysed for their relevance to the responses needed.
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      The first cycle of the Survey of Adult Skills measured problem solving in technology-rich environments. This is defined as the ability to use digital technology, communication tools and networks to acquire and evaluate information, communicate with others and perform practical tasks. The survey assessed adults' ability to solve problems by establishing appropriate goals and plans, and accessing and using information through computers and computer networks.

      In the 2023 Survey of Adult Skills, problem solving in technology-rich environments was replaced by adaptive problem solving (APS). This involves "the capacity to achieve one’s goals in a dynamic situation in which a method for solution is not immediately available. It requires engaging in cognitive and metacognitive processes to define the problem, search for information, and apply a solution in a variety of information environments and contexts" (Greiff et al., 2021).

      APS has three important features. First, it emphasises individuals’ capacity to flexibly and dynamically adapt their problem-solving strategies to a dynamically changing environment. Second, it tests their ability to identify and select among a range of available physical, social and digital resources. Third, individuals need to monitor and reflect on their progress in solving problems, through metacognitive processes.
    Visualisations
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    Key
    Diagram of funding flows - Finland

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    Key
    Country Reviews for Finland

    Note: These values should be interpreted with care since they are influenced by countries' specific contexts and trade-offs. In education, there is often no simple most- or least-efficient model. For instance, the share of private expenditure in education must be read against other measures designed to mitigate inequities, such as loans and grants; longer learning time is an opportunity to convey more and better content to students, but may hinder investments in other important areas. If you want further information on the nature of different variables, please take the time to read the analysis and contextual information, available at the website for each publication.
    All rankings for individual variables are compiled on the basis of OECD and G20 countries for which data are available. The OECD average includes only OECD countries which are listed here: https://www.oecd.org/en/about/members-partners.html

    Reference years displayed in the Education GPS correspond to the most common year of reference among countries for which data is available on each variable. Data for the latest available year is preferred and some countries may have provided data refering to a more recent or late year. To know more about possible exceptions on data please click on the "Download Indicator" link on each variable. When a year of reference corresponds to a school year encompassing two years, the reference reads as follows: 2026 for school year 2025/2026.

    *TALIS averages are based on all countries participating in the TALIS survey, including partner countries and economies. This explains the difference between the OECD average and the TALIS averages. Data from the TALIS survey and Education at a Glance (EAG) may differ. See Annex E of the TALIS technical report and Annex 3 of EAG 2024 for more details about the data collections.

    For additional notes, please refer to annexes in the list of links below the introductory country profile text.