Survey: Foreign professionals value Finnish working life above all – Moving to Finland is about happiness, not to become rich

Why do highly educated foreign professionals want to move to work in Finland? What makes them stay here? In a recent study conducted by Staria, a provider of financial administration services for international businesses, professionals were asked about their thoughts on Finland and Finnish working life. Qualitative surveys were carried out by the consulting company Miltton.

According to the survey, foreign professionals strongly emphasize work-life balance as the best aspect of working and living in Finland. The balance enables more time for a family and other loved ones – and better self-care as well. Overall, the Finnish working life is seen as less performance-oriented, competitive, and stressful than working life in their home countries.

The interviewees feel that in many countries they could earn more than in Finland. However, the work-life balance compensates for the loss of income. The survey strongly emphasizes that people come to Finland primarily to be happy, not to get rich. Having a happy life in Finland is closely associated with the work-life balance and other aspects of life, supported by the services and benefits of the Finnish welfare state.

Here's how the interviewees described it themselves:

“The best thing about working in Finland is the work-life balance, how the working culture in Finland is that you can focus on your life as well. Work does not become your personal life. You have time to spend with your kids. Do some hobbies and go for some traveling or whatever a person feels like doing in their free time.”

“In Finland, people can go or leave as soon as they're done with their work. So, they are given this opportunity to be with their family at the end of the day. Since, Finland wants to promote work-life balance, vacations and maternity leaves are generous as well.”

"People don't come to Finland primarily for money."

According to the Chief Executive Officer of Staria Artti Aurasmaa, Finland should market its work culture more. Aurasmaa points out that the job markets for foreign professionals are global, thus they can choose where they live and work. Finland can’t compete with high salaries or light taxation; our strengths lie elsewhere.

"Work-life balance is something that we Finns don't always appreciate enough, but it's obvious to those who are coming from abroad. That's why in Finland, we don't need to offer the highest salaries, and our taxation doesn't have to be the lightest. What's most important for those coming to work in Finland is that they can build a happy life where all aspects are in balance. Finnish working life isn't perfect, but it might be the best in the world," says Aurasmaa.

"We should especially discuss how we can bring genuine diversity to our workplaces. In Finland, diversity is often seen too narrowly as a question of gender equality, whereas it's primarily about diversity of thought. To succeed in international competition, Finnish companies must have diverse perspectives. Every Finnish company competes with international companies that have diversity."

Further information:

Artti Aurasmaa
CEO | Staria Oyj
artti.aurasmaa@staria.com
+358 45 186 1775

Additional information about the survey

The survey on international professionals in Finland was conducted by Miltton. The interviewees had worked in Finland for 2-15 years as a professional in large or medium-sized international organizations, in different industries.​

Staria helps growth companies become international superstars. The company offers international financial administration services in over 40 countries with a unique one-stop delivery model. Staria has strong expertise in technology levaraged growth and is a leading NetSuite partner in Europe. Many of Europe's most successful growth companies trust Staria's services.