Experiences of discrimination are very common among immigrants, according to a recent survey that examines the health, well-being and social and health service experiences of foreign-born adults living in Finland.
Finland’s immigrant population is generally doing well, according to a recent MoniSuomi survey (in Finnish) by the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
However, there remain large differences in health, well-being and experiences of integration between countries of origin and genders. These challenges include loneliness, experiences of discrimination, difficulties in making ends meet and access to necessary health services.
According to the survey, 14% of all immigrants experience loneliness. Among men aged 20–29, one in five report feeling lonely. Among men from the Middle East and North Africa, one in four are lonely, a group that has seen a significant increase in loneliness since 2018.
About four in five immigrants have at least one friend in Finland, but there are large differences by background country group and gender: only 68% of men from the Middle East and North Africa have a friend in Finland, compared to 73% of women from the same background country group, while nine in ten in the Russia, Soviet Union and Estonia groups have a friend living in Finland.
“Many factors can explain the loneliness experienced by immigrants, such as employment challenges, lack of support networks or experiences of discrimination. Loneliness is always a threat to mental health and well-being, which is why society should be more welcoming and offer immigrants clear guidance and advice on what services are available and how to access them,” Hannamaria Kuusio, the head of research at THL, said in a statement.
Experiences of discrimination are very common among immigrants, with 42% having experienced discrimination in the past year. Some groups are even more likely to experience discrimination. For example, 63% of men from African countries (excluding North Africa) and 58% of men who have moved to Finland from the Middle East and North Africa say they have experienced discrimination in Finland.
“Discrimination happens everywhere in our society, often invisibly, for example in job search and employment, in services and encounters with authorities, in studies and housing, in public places and online. Therefore, fighting discrimination and active anti-racism should be a matter for all of us,” said Anu Castaneda, a research professor at THL.
On a positive note, the majority of immigrants, according to the survey, have at least one friend in Finland and a moderately strong experience of integration and security in daily life. Most immigrants perceive their health as good and report fewer long-term illnesses than the general population on average. Approximately half of them also take part in the recommended amount of physical exercise.
The MoniSuomi study used a survey to examine the health, well-being and social and health service experiences of foreign-born adults living in Finland. The data was collected between September and March 2022 and was answered by 7,838 people who were born in Finland and whose parents were born outside of Finland. The age range of those invited to participate in the survey was 20–74 years.
The MoniSuomi survey was conducted in partnership with and funded by the Integration Competence Centre of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and the cities of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Turku.
