Indicators

Here, we have compiled the more than 60 sustainable development indicators with which we monitor the achievement of goals in Helsinki. The indicators are presented with sources and the latest development trends.

All indicators are published as open data and are freely accessible from the Helsinki sustainable development indicators statistical database (link to external service where the materials are available in Finnish). For more information and instructions on how to use the service, see the description of the database.

SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively The indicator has developed positively
Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator No significant change in the development of the indicator
Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively The indicator has developed negatively

SDG 1: No poverty SDG 1: No poverty

IndicatorSourceUnit20192020202120222023Development trend 2017–2023
Share of households receiving a general housing allowance (%)THL, Sotkanet%19.420.920.119.420.5Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
Share of children living in low-income households (%)Statistics Finland, total statistics on income distribution%12.710.812.612.5 Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
Share of people with low income (%)Statistics Finland, total statistics on income distribution%12.011.512.412.7 Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
Median money income per consumption unit, deflatedStatistics Finland, total statistics on income distribution€29,988.029,79230,03029,023 Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
Share of people aged 25–64 receiving long-term social assistance (%)THL, Sotkanet%3.43.53.53.23.2Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
Number of long-term unhoused peopleCity of Helsinki Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division’s homelessness statisticsnumber1,6781,5341,209896739SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
Amount of household debtStatistics Finland€61,55465,59069,45666,165 Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively

SDG 3: good health and well-being SDG 3: Good health and well-being

IndicatorSourceUnit20192020202120222023Development trend 2017–2023
Suicide mortality rateStatistics Finlandper 100,000 average population1011.612.911.3 Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
Body mass index, young people — share of overweight people (%)THL / SHP study%      
-basic education grades 8 and 9 %13.2 13.8 12.8SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
-vocational institution %21.1 24.2 22.8Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
-general upper secondary school years 1 and 2 %13.6 14.2 13.8Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
Body mass index, age 20 and older — Share of overweight people (%)THL/FinSote% 17.4  17.6Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
Life expectancyStatistics Finlandyears81.981.681.681.181.7Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
Perceived quality of life — Share of people who feel that their quality of life is good on average (%)THL / FinSote 2018 & 2020 / Healthy Finland 2023% 60.5  56.2Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
Perceived health — Share of people who feel that their health is average or below average (%)THL / FinSote 2018 & 2020 / Healthy Finland 2023% 31.1  29.5Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
Mental well-beingTHL / SHP study       
Moderate or severe anxiety        
-basic education grades 8 and 9 %15.7 21.8 22.5Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
-vocational institution %12.9 21.2 23.5Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
-general upper secondary school years 1 and 2 %17.2 25.1 24.4Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
Depression symptoms in the past two weeks        
-basic education grades 8 and 9 %19 26.2 25.7Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
-vocational institution %17.7 24.4 28.1Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
-general upper secondary school years 1 and 2 %21.5 28.6 26.9Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
Mood-related problems        
-basic education grades 4 and 5 %16 23.2 23.7Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
Currently satisfied with life        
-basic education grades 4 and 5 %89.4 84.4 86Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
-basic education grades 8 and 9 %73.7 65 66Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
-vocational institution %74.8 61.3 56Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
-general upper secondary school years 1 and 2 %72.2 65 66Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
Share of lonely people — different age groupsTHL / SHP study%      
-basic education grades 4 and 5 %3.8 4.0 3.6Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
-basic education grades 8 and 9 %12 17.5 15Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
-vocational institution %12 22.8 21.7Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
-general upper secondary school years 1 and 2 %13.6 20.0 16.6Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
Share of children and young people with a hobby (%)THL / SHP study%      
-basic education grades 4 and 5 %90.9 87.7 91.8SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
-basic education grades 8 and 9 %96.2 96.2 95.6Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
Concerning use of intoxicants or tobacco and nicotine products (%)THL / SHP study       
People who consume alcohol to the point of drunkenness at least 1–2 times per month        
-basic education grades 8 and 9 %9.1 7.9 8.6Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
 -vocational education and training %26.4 19.3 17.9SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
-general upper secondary school years 1 and 2 %22.3 18.2 19.3Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
People who use snus daily        
-basic education grades 8 and 9 %3.4 2.2 1.9SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
-vocational education and training %12.4 7 6.1SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
-general upper secondary school years 1 and 2 %3.5 2.2 2SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
People who smoke every day        
-basic education grades 8 and 9 %3.7 3.5 3.8Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
-vocational education and training %13.6 11.1 10.6SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
-general upper secondary school years 1 and 2 %3.5 3.1 3.9Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
People who have tried cannabis at least twice        
-basic education grades 8 and 9 %10 7.5 7SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
-vocational education and training %25.6 20.5 18SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
-general upper secondary school years 1 and 2 %18.4 16.5 15.8SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
Share of people who meet the requirements for a healthy amount of physical activity (%)THL / FinSote 2020, Well-being Survey for the Helsinki Metropolitan Area (2021), THL / Healthy Finland 2023% 43.538.0 48.3SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
Share of residents exposed to road traffic noise (over 55 dB LAeq7-22)City of Helsinki%37 (2017)  39 Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively

SDG 4: Quality education SDG 4: Quality education

IndicatorSourceUnit20192020202120222023Development trend
2017–2023
Share of people with only basic education (%)Statistics Finland%16.316.216.41716,8Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
Share of people with at least a master’s degree (%)Statistics Finland%26.927.728.128.329SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
Share of early leavers from upper secondary education (%)Statistics Finland%      
-dropped out of vocational education without continuing in any other education %9.714.713.711.9 Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
-dropped out of general upper secondary school without continuing in any other education %2.22.13.41.9 SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
Share of basic education pupils who chose a school in their own school admission areaCity of Helsinki, Education Division%      
-1st grade, Finnish-language basic education %   8990Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
-7th grade, Finnish-language basic education %   7177SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
Share of children in early childhood education (%)City of Helsinki, Education Division%79.280.481.682.383.5SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
Share of foreign-language speakers among general upper secondary school graduates (%)Vipunen – Education Statistics Finland%13.414.114.916.315,4SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
Bullied at school at least once a week, %THL / SHP study%      
-basic education grades 4 and 5THL / SHP study 7.7 8.4 9.8Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
-basic education grades 8 and 9THL / SHP study 5.2 5.4 7.9Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
-general upper secondary school years 1 and 2THL / SHP study 1.1 1.3 2.2Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
-vocational institutionTHL / SHP study 1.9 2.2 5Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
Share of 16-year-olds in compulsory education in the age groupVipunen – Education Statistics Finland%  97.498.298.2SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively

SDG 5: Gender equality SDG 5: Gender equality

IndicatorSourceUnit20192020202120222023Development trend
2017–2023
Gender gap in unemploymentStatistics Finland       
         -male %10.215.712.311.312.7Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
         -female %7.812.69.699.8Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
Difference in unemployment rates between women and men percentage point1.31.21.31.32.9Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
Gender pay gap (in Uusimaa)Statistics Finland       
         -total  3,8324,0604,1524,274 Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
         -male  4,1864,4644,5704,684 Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
         -female  3,4803,6643,7513,884 Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
Pay gap between women and men The percentage (%) of women’s wages compared to men’s wages83.182.182.182.9 Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
Gender gap in perceived quality of lifeTHL / FinSote 2018 & 2020 / Healthy Finland 2023       
         -total % 60.5  56.2Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
         -male % 61.5  58Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
         -female % 59.7  54.7Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
Difference between men and women in perceived quality of life percentage point 0.97  0.94SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
Gender gap in level of educationStatistics Finland       
Share of people with a master’s degree or higher, menStatistics Finland%2424.624.824.7 SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
Share of people with a master’s degree or higher, women %29.730.731.331.7 SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
Difference between men and women in the share of people with a master’s degree or higher percentage point5.76.16.57 Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
Share of women in the City CouncilCity of Helsinki%, percentage of women4849495656SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively

SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation

IndicatorSourceUnit20192020202120222023Development trend
2017–2023
Percentages of wastewater treatment (nitrogen and phosphorus)HSY%      
-nitrogen %9091918991Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
-phosphorus %9797979797Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
Quality of bathing waterCity of HelsinkiQuality rating poor–excellentGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodChallenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator

SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy

IndicatorSourceUnit20192020202120222023Development trend
2017–2023
Share of renewable energy in energy productionHelen Ltd%1214162126SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
Energy consumption per capitaHSYkWh21,24220,51021,07720,65119,628SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively

SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth

IndicatorSourceUnit20192020202120222023Development trend
2017–2023
Youth unemployment rateKEHA Centre%6.613.59.18.1 Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
Long-term unemploymentKEHA Centrenumber10,48815,34819,59715,392 Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
Employment rateStatistics Finland, Labour Force Survey%7776.177.379.378.5SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
Unemployment rateKEHA Centre%9.214.611.210.411.6Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively

SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

IndicatorSourceUnit20192020202120222023Development trend
2017–2023
Starting businessesStatistics Finlandnumber7,5677,6977,8527,5387,811SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
Closing businessesStatistics Finlandnumber3,8304,6515,0935,0755,657Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
Companies’ willingness to recommend Helsinki as a location (share of recommendations)City of Helsinki, Economic Development, business survey-100–100 scale 9  1Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively

SDG 10: Reduced inequalities SDG 10: Reduced inequalities

IndicatorSourceUnit20192020202120222023Development trend
2017–2023
Gini coefficientStatistics Finland, total statistics on income distribution0–100 scale33.533.936.235.7 Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
NEET share (Not in Employment, Education or Training)Statistics Finland       
-16–19-year-olds %6.65.64.95.6 Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
-20–24-year-olds %5.66.05.96 Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
-25–29-year-olds %5.15.85.55.6 Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
-16–29-year-olds  5.55.85.55.7 Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
Regional segregation by ethnic background, education and income levelStatistics Finland and the City of Helsinki       
-ethnic background %28.629.029.229.530Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
-education %34.735.334.934.634.8Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
-income level %38.136.837.837.5 Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator

SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities

IndicatorSourceUnit20192020202120222023 Development trend
2017–2023
Annual average of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at the Kallio measurement stationHSYµg/m35.555.85.14.9SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
Annual average amount of inhalable particles (PM10) at the Kallio measurement stationHSYµg/m311.091099SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
Inclusion indexHelsinki Metropolitan Area Wellbeing Questionnaire 2021   74.8   
Participatory budgeting budgetCity of Helsinki, City Executive Office€ million4.4 8.8 8.8SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
Share of sustainable modes of transportCity of Helsinki, Urban Environment Division (Transport Behaviour)%77.679.777.97979Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
         -walking %38.751.646.44744SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
         -cycling %9.411.38.7911Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
         -public transport %29.516.822.82324Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
Number of traffic accidents per 100,000 inhabitantsCity of Helsinki, traffic accident registerper 100,000 inhabitants5345423641SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
Satisfaction with Helsinki as a cycling cityCity of Helsinki (https://www.hel.fi/helsinki/en/maps-and-transport/cycling/cycling)Quality rating dissatisfied–satisfied (1–4) Fairly satisfied Fairly satisfied Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator

SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production

IndicatorSourceUnit20192020202120222023
Municipal and household waste recycling rateHSY      
-household waste %46.445.3646.7247SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
-municipal waste %51.9849.5252.949Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
Consumption-based greenhouse gas emissions  Model for calculating consumption-based greenhouse gas emissions by Sitowise and Natural Resources Institute Finland  tCO2e/resident   9.04 8.84Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator

SDG 13: Climate action SDG 13: Climate action

IndicatorSourceUnit20192020202120222023Development trend
2017–2023
Greenhouse gas emissionsHSYktCO2e2,5982,3442,3462,6341,947SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
Per capita CO2 emissionsHSYtCO2e4.03.63.642.9SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
Permeable areas as a percentage of total land areaHSY% 61 64 Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator

SDG 14: Life below water SDG 14: Life below water

IndicatorSourceUnit20192020202120222023Development trend
2017–2023
Ecological condition of surface waters 2019Syke moderate/poor    Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
Phosphorus and nitrogen load to the sea from the Viikinmäki wastewater treatment plantHSYt/year      
-phosphorus load  2021182219Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
-nitrogen load  530478470605499Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator

SDG 15: Life on land SDG 15: Life on land

IndicatorSourceUnit20192020202120222023Development trend
2017–2023
Old-growth forests as a percentage of land areaNatural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), National Forest Inventory%7.86 11.1  SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
Nature conservation areas as a percentage of land areaCity of Helsinki Environmental Report%2.23.23.84.04.4SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively
Nature areas as a percentage of land areaCity of Helsinki, Environmental Services  %   39  

SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions

IndicatorSourceUnit20192020202120222023Development trend
2017–2023
Perceived safetyCity of Helsinki, Safety Survey%  75.6  Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
Turnout in municipal elections 2012 > 2017 > 2021Statistics Finland%61.8 (2017) 61.7  Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator
Crimes against life and healthStatistics Finland       
-under 15-year-olds  244170365464478Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively 
-15–17-year-olds  147157240232277Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
-total  3,5403,7084,0304,1514,702Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
Violence against women / violence in close relationshipsStatistics Finland       
-violenceStatistics Finlandvictims (number)2,2492,3212,5742,5802,784Significant challenges in achieving the SDG or the indicator has developed negatively
 -violence in close relationshipsStatistics Finlandvictims (number)1,0081,1911,0291,0171,021Challenges in achieving the SDG or no significant change in the development of the indicator

SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals

IndicatorSourceUnit20192020202120222023Development trend
2017–2023
Amount distributed to organisations as grantsCity of Helsinki€37,399,20042,300,20044,579,20048,900,20046,784,200SDG achieved or close to being achieved or the indicator has developed positively