Suomalaiset

Suomalaiset, or Finns, are the people of Finland. They constitute the ethnic Finns, who make up the majority of the population, and the broader community of Finnish citizens. The Finnish language, a member of the Finnic branch of the Uralic language family, is the core of Finnish identity. Swedish is also an official language and spoken by a recognized Swedish-speaking minority; other minority languages include Sámi languages, Kven, Romani, and others. Finland’s population is highly bilingual in many areas, and English is widely understood as a foreign language.

Most Suomalaiset live in Finland, where the country has a population of around 5 to 5.5 million in recent years. There is a sizeable Finnish diaspora in neighboring Sweden and in North America, particularly the United States and Canada, as well as communities in other parts of the world.

Historically, Finns emerged as a distinct cultural and linguistic group in the region over the first millennium CE. Finland was part of the Kingdom of Sweden until 1809, when it became the Grand Duchy of Finland under the Russian Empire. It declared independence in 1917, a turning point that fostered modern Finnish national identity through literature, education, and social reform. The Kalevala, compiled in the 19th century, played a significant role in shaping national consciousness.

Culturally, Suomalaiset are known for traditions such as the sauna, design and architecture, literature, music, and regional folk practices. Modern Finland is a constitutional republic and a member of the European Union, with a high standard of living and a multilingual, multiethnic society.