The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland reported a continuing rise in new members, with 25,000 joining last year, up from 23,000 the previous year.
Over 26,000 children were baptised during the same period.
The largest age group among new members was 30–39-year-olds, accounting for roughly 30 percent of joiners.
At the same time, departures from the church remain significantly higher. More than 50,000 people left last year, mostly aged 20–29, though the number of resignations has declined annually since 2022.
With over 46,000 members dying last year, the church's total membership now stands at just over 3.5 million, or about 60 percent of Finland's population.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Orthodox Church have a special status as national churches. They have the right to levy tax, and receive public funding for handling societal responsibilities such as record-keeping, maintenance of cemeteries and churches, as well as some social services.
