Siirtoutuminen

Siirtoutuminen is a Finnish concept of immigration. It emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when hundreds of thousands of people from Finland, mainly from rural areas, moved out of the country in search of better living and working conditions.

The primary destination of the emigrants was the United States, with over half of all Finnish emigrants settling in the American Midwest. Other countries such as Sweden, Norway, and the UK were also popular destinations. The decision to emigrate was often motivated by economic factors, such as the financial difficulties faced by many Finns due to the country's agricultural economy, as well as limited access to education and career opportunities.

Siirtoutuminen had a significant impact on Finnish society and economy, leading to the loss of young, skilled workers, which in turn led to labor shortages in the country. Many of the emigrants sent remittances back to their families in Finland, providing much-needed financial support. The period also saw the emergence of a new Finnish-American culture, as the emigrants maintained strong connections to their country of origin while adapting to their new surroundings.

The post-World War II period saw a significant increase in emigration from Finland, with many people leaving the country in search of economic opportunities. The concept of siirtoutuminen is understood as a diaspora movement, with Finnish emigrants establishing communities around the world and continuing to shape Finnish culture and identity.