Finland is a safe travel destination – this is why

Finns return your lost wallet, suffer from extreme honesty and keep a safe distance.

When you’re surrounded by Finns, you’re in good hands: Finns are the most honest people in the world, according to the renowned Reader’s Digest’s survey, the wallet test. 

In this test, Reader’s Digest reporters lose wallets in cities around the world and count how many are returned. Finland has won for many years in a row, with 11 wallets out of 12 returned – it’s actually getting a bit boring. Finland places in the top 3 of least corrupt countries in Transparency International’s research. Of course, nowhere is perfect but looking at those numbers it’s safe to say that Finns tend to be honest. 

Finns are pragmatic problem-solvers, so most of the time, everything works as planned. Roads are kept in good condition, trains arrive and leave on time, and by and large people follow the rules. Pedestrians might stop at red lights even in the middle of the countryside with only cows in sight. Tap water is not only safe but also tastes good – try a blindfolded test against your favourite bottled water. Things generally just work. 

Finland has been named the happiest country in the world for four consecutive years. One reason for this is that people tend to do well in social comparison that starts from equal education: everybody has access to good education. This makes travelling in Finland easy, as most of the people speak fluent English and many master Swedish and German as well. 

Finns kept their social distance even before the pandemic – you might actually wish they got closer. There is enough space to roam for everyone, as Finland is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the EU.  

Everyone has access to the same high-quality and egalitarian healthcare services, which are publicly financed. The hospital and specialist services are ranked among the best in the EU. Both doctors and the nursing workforce are highly educated in Finland, so you’re in safe hands. Learn about health and safety tips in Finland.

Finland is one of the leading countries in the world in fostering equality. Income differences are narrower than the EU average and the risk of marginalisation is lower than in Europe in general. This also supports Finland’s relatively low levels of crime. Finland is one of the leading nations in terms of gender equality in the world, and the first European country to grant women the vote in 1906. This ethos of equality and inclusivity extends to our international guests – we hope you feel welcome.