Most Finns willing to being treated by doctors still learning Finnish or Swedish
New survey shows that 56 percent of Finnish respondents are willing to receive medical care from personnel still learning Finnish or Swedish, while nearly 70 percent are prepared to help immigrants learn the national languages.
According to a new report by E2 Research, the majority of Finns are willing to receive medical care from a doctor or nurse who is still learning Finnish or Swedish. The survey shows that 56 percent of respondents would accept such care, while nearly 70 percent are prepared to help immigrants learn the national languages.
The study also finds that global uncertainties have not shaken the foundations of Finnish identity. For nearly nine out of ten Finns (87 percent), being Finnish remains an important part of who they are. The report, commissioned by the Finnish Cultural Foundation and the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland, explores Finns’ identities, attitudes towards language learning, multilingualism, and the future linguistic landscape. It also maps practices of multilingual interaction across the country.
Swedish speakers in Finland are on average more accepting of receiving medical care from professionals who are still learning Finnish or Swedish. However, three out of four Finns are not ready to receive public services in any language other than their mother tongue.
Native language is central to identity, but multilingualism is embraced
More than 90 percent of respondents believe that immigrants moving to Finland should learn Finnish or Swedish, and the majority – almost 70 percent – are willing to help them do so.
In addition to national identity, Nordic and European identities also play a significant role. Out of the respondents, 87 percent consider Finnishness an important part of their identity. Mother tongue (75%), nordic identity (68%) and European identity (68%) also strongly shape how Finns perceive themselves.
Despite the central role of mother tongue, language learning is widely valued. The strongest motivation for studying languages is the belief that diverse language skills are reflecting education and cultural sophistication – a view shared by nearly half of Finns.
The survey and interview data were gathered in February and March 2025.
