The Helsinki-Uusimaa Region is at the heart of Northern Europe, more precisely in the very south of Finland and it has some 230 km of Baltic Sea coastline. Although only covering three percent (9,440 km2) of our national land area, our Region is home to around 1.8 million inhabitants, which is about a third of the country’s total population.
Helsinki-Uusimaa Region in Figures
1.8
inhabitants, 31 % of the Finnish population
26
municipalities
39%
of the Finnish GDP
51%
of R&D expenses in Finland
56%
of those speaking another language in Finland live in Helsinki-Uusimaa
16.3
million travellers at Helsinki-Vantaa airport in year
Due to migration, our Helsinki-Uusimaa is one of the fastest growing regions in Europe. According to forecasts, there will be more than two million of us by 2040. With its 26 municipalities, including the capital city, our Region is undoubtedly the driver of Finland’s international competitiveness, research and development.
Our overall competitiveness in Helsinki-Uusimaa is based on our skills, networks and international partnerships, high technology and solutions that support green growth, wellbeing services, and both natural and urban environments that are second to none by global standards.
Our well-being is also based on our strong historical, social and cultural identity, making our Region an attractive area for international tourism. Nearly half of all travellers to Finland come to Helsinki-Uusimaa. Apart from the only metropolitan area in our nation, we have small towns, villages, sparsely settled rural areas and islands.
Helsinki-Uusimaa is ranked first in wellbeing in the EU
Regional social progress index 2024
Helsinki-Uusimaa is a Region of Knowledge and Innovations
Over the past two decades, our Region has developed into a dynamic knowledge hub and innovation centre; it has been especially commended for its creativity, due to investments in research and development, patents and the number of people employed in both the private and the public sector. Qualified people move here for work and young people for a high-standard education.
We bring together the actors from both the cities and the countryside for impactful research and innovation activities. Our capital region hosts the headquarters of several major international companies, research centres as well as the University of Helsinki and the Aalto University.
Have a look at our Innovation Ecosystem Map, where you can find information about key players driving innovation in the Helsinki-Uusimaa Region, including universities, research institutions, facilitators and startup hubs. You can view the actors also as a list by clicking the “LIST” button and sort them based on a specific development theme, such as circular economy or food ecosystem.
Helsinki-Uusimaa aims to become the happiest, most innovative and environmentally smartest region in Europe
As a regional council, we are responsible for the development of Helsinki-Uusimaa. Our work looks far ahead, while also shaping development actions in the coming years. To support this work, we work with regional stakeholders to develop joint strategies and programmes. Together, these help strengthen competitiveness, support wellbeing and skills, and contribute to climate change mitigation.
The Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Programme sets the direction for the region’s development over the coming years. The programme, covering the period 2026–2029, defines key development objectives and outlines a long-term vision for 2050.
Get to know the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Programme in more detail. Helsinki-Uusimaa’s vision for 2050 is to be ‘the happiest, most innovative and environmentally smartest region in Europe’. The programme’s priorities and objectives support this vision. The programme also includes smart specialisation priorities that guide research, development and innovation activities.
We aim to be a climate neutral region by 2030.
Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Facts
Our 26 member municipalities are Askola(You are transferring to another service), Espoo(You are transferring to another service), Hanko(You are transferring to another service), Helsinki(You are transferring to another service), Hyvinkää(You are transferring to another service), Ingå(You are transferring to another service), Järvenpää(You are transferring to another service), Karkkila(You are transferring to another service), Kauniainen(You are transferring to another service), Kerava(You are transferring to another service), Kirkkonummi(You are transferring to another service), Lapinjärvi(You are transferring to another service), Lohja(You are transferring to another service), Loviisa(You are transferring to another service), Myrskylä(You are transferring to another service), Mäntsälä(You are transferring to another service), Nurmijärvi(You are transferring to another service), Pornainen(You are transferring to another service), Porvoo(You are transferring to another service), Pukkila(You are transferring to another service), Raasepori(You are transferring to another service), Sipoo(You are transferring to another service), Siuntio(You are transferring to another service), Tuusula(You are transferring to another service), Vantaa(You are transferring to another service) and Vihti(You are transferring to another service).
Are you interested in our Region and its possibilities? The following links leading to national and European sources help you learn more from various statistics and maps covering both Helsinki-Uusimaa and Finland.
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About Us
The Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council is a joint authority for Helsinki-Uusimaa with 26 member municipalities. We are one of the 18 regional councils in Finland that are mandated in law, receiving our funding mainly from our member municipalities.
For more information about regional facts, please contact:
Johannes Herala
Senior Adviser
johannes.herala@uudenmaanliitto.fi
Regional development of Helsinki-Uusimaa, municipal and regional economy, operational environment analyses, stand-alone reports
Current
News
6.2.2026
Helsinki-Uusimaa aims to become the happiest, most innovative and environmentally smartest region in Europe
The new regional programme is titled Helsinki-Uusimaa, a Region of Solutions – Pioneer in Finland, Forerunner in Europe. It sets out the region’s vision of becoming the happiest, most innovative and environmentally smartest region in Europe by 2050.
News
8.1.2026
The Helsinki-Uusimaa Cultural Market created over 200 events and thousands of cultural encounters
The Helsinki-Uusimaa Cultural Market project, which is now coming to an end, brought culture to new audiences and created work opportunities for artists. This included supporting cultural purchases by municipalities and launching the popular Cultural Market networking event. All 26 municipalities in the Helsinki-Uusimaa region took part in the project, which was led by the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council.
This page was last updated: 4.2.2026