Quick facts
Helsinki overview
Helsinki (orange) and the other large cities of Finland
Helsinki lies in Uusimaa in Finland at 60.17°N, 24.94°E, about 26 m above sea level. The local time zone is Europe/Helsinki (UTC+3); GeoNames classifies it as a national capital.
It is the biggest urban centre of Finland: the next largest cities are Espoo (323,910), Tampere (260,646), Vantaa (252,724). Together, the three largest cities hold 22.1% of the national population.
The nearest large city is Vantaa, about 15 km away, followed by Espoo (16 km).
Finland as a whole has a live population of 5,621,292 (-0.1% a year) and ranks #120 of 238 countries — see the Finland population page for the full statistics and the Finland atlas for provinces, terrain and society maps.
Cities near Helsinki
| City | Distance | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Vantaa Uusimaa | 15 km | 252,724 |
| Espoo Uusimaa | 16 km | 323,910 |
| Tuusula Uusimaa | 27 km | 42,624 |
| Kerava Uusimaa | 28 km | 38,535 |
| Kirkkonummi Uusimaa | 28 km | 41,821 |
| Nurmijärvi Uusimaa | 34 km | 45,356 |
| Järvenpää Uusimaa | 35 km | 46,942 |
| Porvoo Uusimaa | 47 km | 51,853 |
Largest cities in Finland
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Helsinki?
Helsinki has about 658,864 inhabitants according to the latest official census or estimate compiled by GeoNames. This is the city proper; the metropolitan area is larger.
Is Helsinki the capital of Finland?
Yes — Helsinki is the national capital of Finland.
How big is Helsinki compared with the rest of Finland?
Its 658,864 residents are 11.7% of the 5,621,292 people living in Finland today. It is the largest city in the country.
Where is Helsinki?
In Uusimaa, Finland, at latitude 60.17 and longitude 24.94, 26 m above sea level. Nearby large cities include Vantaa (15 km), Espoo (16 km), Tuusula (27 km).
Explore more
Cite or link to this page
Glostats. (2026). Helsinki Population 2026 — Finland. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://glostats.com/cities/finland/helsinki/<a href="https://glostats.com/cities/finland/helsinki/">Helsinki Population 2026 — Finland</a> — GlostatsFigures on this page may be quoted, charted or republished as long as the page is credited with a link. Terms · Download the data as CSV · Embed a live counter.
City populations are GeoNames figures (CC BY 4.0): the latest official census or estimate for the city proper — the municipality, not the wider metropolitan area — so they can differ from "metro area" numbers you see elsewhere. Country populations are live Glostats estimates from the UN World Population Prospects. Distances are great-circle distances between city centres. Page generated 2026-10-20. More about our data.