Immigrants are far more likely than native Finns to rent their homes, even when their income levels would normally point to ownership.
The pattern holds true across the socioeconomic spectrum, according to a study by consultancy MDI and mortgage lender Hypo, which found that affluent foreign-language speakers, too, are tenants far more often than their Finnish-born peers.
Among the middle class, the contrast is striking: most Finnish speakers own their homes, but only one in five foreign-language speakers does.
Even among high earners who have settled in Finland, a significant share remain in rented flats, often in apartment blocks, typically on the outskirts of urban centres.
The research suggests that rental living does not align with the aspirations of many immigrants, who expressed a desire for ownership but face barriers to realising it. Between 2015 and 2024, the gap between foreign- and Finnish-language speakers in home ownership barely narrowed.
Most want to own
While most foreigners rent, the study found that foreigners' housing aspirations differed little from those of the native population. Renting does not reflect their long-term preferences either. An overwhelming majority of newcomers say they would rather live in their own home.
With few actually favouring renting, the study found that foreigners saw their living situations shaped by limited finances, insecure employment and Finnish immigration policy.
"The government is not very pro-immigrant — these legislations come across as racist," said one respondent, referring to the three-month protection period introduced this year, after which non-EU residents risk deportation if they fail to secure new employment.
Only a small minority said they dreamt of life in rural areas or in towns much smaller than Finland's big cities. A preference for urban living was more common among immigrants than in the population at large.
The study examined six language groups across the seven largest cities, with native-language speakers serving as a comparison group. In total, foreign language speakers make up a population of roughly 350,000.
Demographic forecasts for Helsinki, Turku, Jyväskylä, Tampere and Oulu all rest heavily on growth in the foreign-language population. With most foreigners renting, this means urban housing markets will tilt steadily towards rental in the decades ahead.
In addition to the statistical analysis, immigrants' housing preferences were explored through a qualitative survey and follow-up interviews. The survey drew 63 responses, 14 of whom were interviewed in greater depth. Both the survey and interviews were conducted in June and early July of this year.
