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MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE EU - FINLAND

Finland is one of the five Nordic countries and the northernmost country in the EU. Finland is one of the most sparsely-populated countries in the EU and is bordered by Sweden to the west, Norway to the north and Russia to the east.

The most important sectors of Finland’s economy in 2014 were public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (22.2 %), industry (19.8 %) and wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services (16.5 %).

Finland’s main export partners are Germany, Sweden and Russia, while its main import partners are Sweden, Germany and Russia.

Capital: Helsinki

Geographical size: 338 435 km2

Population: 5 451 270 (2014)

Population as % of total EU population: 1.1 % (2014)

GDP: € 205.178 billion (2014)

EU language(s): Finnish, Swedish

Political system: parliamentary republic

EU member country since: 1 January 1995

Seats in the European Parliament: 13

Currency: Euro. Member of the eurozone since 1 January 1999

Schengen area member?: Yes, Schengen Area member since 25 March 2001.

Presidency of the Council: Finland has held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU twice, in 1999 and 2006. The next time will be in 2020.

Finland in the EU

European Parliament

There are 13 members of the European Parliament from Finland. Find out who these MEPsare.

European Parliament office in Finland

Council of the EU

In the Council of the EU, national ministers meet regularly to adopt EU laws and coordinate policies. Council meetings are regularly attended by representatives from the Finnish government, depending on the policy area being addressed.

Presidency of the Council of the EU

The Council of the EU doesn't have a permanent, single-person president (like e.g. the Commission or Parliament). Instead, its work is led by the country holding the Council presidency, which rotates every 6 months.

During these 6 months, ministers from that country's government chair and help determine the agenda of Council meetings in each policy area, and facilitate dialogue with the other EU institutions.

Dates of Finnish presidencies:

Jul-Dec 1999 | Jul-Dec 2006 | Jan-Jun 2020

More on the current presidency of the Council of the EU.

European Commission

The Commissioner nominated by Finland to the European Commission is Jyrki Katainen, Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness.

The Commission is represented in each EU country by a local office, called a "representation".

Commission representation in Finland

European Economic & Social Committee

Finland has 10 representatives on the European Economic and Social Committee. This advisory body – representing employers, workers and other interest groups – is consulted on proposed laws, to get a better idea of the possible changes to work and social situations in member countries.

Committee of the Regions

Finland has 9 representatives on the Committee of the Regions , the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives. This advisory body is consulted on proposed laws, to ensure these laws take account of the perspective from each region of the EU.

Permanent representation to the EU

Finland also communicates with the EU institutions through its permanent representation in Brussels. As Finland's "embassy to the EU", its main task is to ensure that the country's interests and policies are pursued as effectively as possible in the EU.

Budgets and Funding

How much does Finland contribute and receive?

Member countries' financial contributions to the EU budget are shared fairly, according to means. The larger your country's economy, the more it pays – and vice versa. The EU budget doesn't aim to redistribute wealth, but rather to focus on the needs of all Europeans as a whole.

Breakdown of Finland’s finances with the EU in 2014:

Total EU spending in Finland: € 1.062 billion
Total EU spending as % of Finnish GNI: 0.52 %
Total Finnish contribution to the EU budget: € 1.777 billion
Finnish contribution to the EU budget as % of its GNI: 0.87 %

More figures on the EU budget, revenue and spending:

EU-funded projects in Finland

The money paid into the EU budget by Finland helps fund programmes and projects in all EU countries - like building roads, subsidising researchers and protecting the environment.