Finland is the northern neighbor of Russia, characterized by its magnificent nature and cool climate. It is good not only to relax, but also to live. That is why many Russians, choosing for themselves a country for permanent residence, dwell on this option. Some put in the first place the similarities in the mentality of our peoples. Others are satisfied with nature and climate similar to Russian ones. And someone seeks to this country because it notes the rapid pace of development of its economy.
But before making a final decision, it is necessary to answer the questions “What is the standard of living in Finland?” And “Should I immigrate to this country?”.
The Rosstat data obtained in 2014 indicate that the northern neighbor of Russia is very popular among Russian emigrants. Only the USA, and also Canada and Germany are ahead of it. Finland attracts our compatriots with its job offer and salary level. But these reasons are far from the only ones.
average salary
Finland today is one of the priority areas that Russians choose to escape from the protracted crisis and find sources for their existence in foreign countries. After all, this state offers a good job.
The priority of the chosen direction, first of all, can be explained by the close location of this country. Indeed, for example, from Petersburg to Finland can be reached in just 3.5 hours. Attracts Russians and the level of salary. By the way, in this indicator, Finland is in one of the first places in Europe. So, in 2017, the average monthly salary in this country amounted to 3340 euros. Moreover, all amounts of remuneration for labor are necessarily fixed by an agreement concluded between employers and trade unions.
For many foreigners, life in Finland is attractive precisely because of the level of wages. According to statistics, the owners of the most impressive salaries are men who have crossed the threshold of the 65th anniversary. Good cash remuneration is received here by low-skilled workers. For example, a cleaner is paid about 2 thousand euros.
The salary level in Finland depends on the gender of the citizen. Women in this country are paid 20% less than men.
But it should be borne in mind that foreigners who do not speak the language and do not have sufficient qualifications find work with great difficulty. The most convenient for this are specialties that do not require a residence permit. Their list includes:
- translators and teachers;
- artists, athletes and trainers;
- sailors;
- researchers;
- Tourism industry workers.
Finland has a shortage of professional staff. That is why the country's employers are in great demand:
- computer scientists;
- medical workers;
- teachers and teachers;
- financiers;
- educators.
A huge number of free places are offered in the field of social work. After all, it’s not customary for Finns to take care of elderly relatives on their own.
Taxes
However, life in Finland, despite a good salary level, is not so cloudless. The country provides for the payment of very high taxes. It is these payments that are the main obstacle for those who decide to find a job in the country. Moreover, the amount of taxes is proportional to the size of the salary. The higher it is, the more it is necessary to give to the state.
A similar system, which is built in the country, makes promising and highly paid work unprofitable. Unskilled professionals live much easier than those who seek career growth. The principle of the country's tax system is based on the equalization of the rich and the poor. The task of the Finnish authorities is to ensure that all people have approximately equal incomes.
Standard of living
As for this indicator, it, despite the large taxes, is quite high. The standard of living in Finland has for many years been among the ten highest in the world.
The state guarantees stability in the payment of pensions and benefits, provides free education and quality medical care. Nevertheless, if we consider the life of ordinary people in Finland, then many of them are still unhappy with their salaries. After all, it is enough only for the most necessary.
Very high prices in Finland for food. For example, fresh fruits and vegetables allow you to include in your menu only a limited number of families. Mostly Finns have pasta, cereals, and convenience foods on the dining table. And such a set of products is the only way to reach the next salary.
A significant part of the income people have to give when using transport. And this applies both to its public appearance, and personal.
Protection of Nature
Russians who came to this northern country are often surprised by the attitude of its inhabitants towards the environment. Finns attach great importance to the issues of recycling. They sort household waste into groups so that it can then be sent to special plants for recycling.
The cleanliness also affects the streets of the cities of this country. And in nature, you can often find even a forest animal.
Roads of Finland
The country enjoys undoubted respect from those who travel by car. Our compatriots note a wonderful roadbed, cleaning of roads and their timely repair, as well as thoughtful traffic patterns.
It is thanks to the conscience-built tracks that the cars last much longer. Used cars don’t look like a rust trough. They are a very worthy transport, but only an outdated model.
Widespread in Finland and cycling. Especially for him, bicycle paths and parking lots were created, road signs and maps were placed warning about the danger on the road. Here, citizens comply with the laws, to which they are required to pay heavy fines for violating traffic rules.
Education
This is one of the main reasons why our compatriots leave their native country and move to the northern state. In recent years, Finnish higher education institutions have been very popular among Russian graduates. After all, they guarantee a high level of education and are accessible due to the fact that students in them (including foreign ones) study completely free of charge.
In general, education in this country is considered the best in the world. And these are not empty words, but a proven fact. Training at schools in Finland is also carried out at a high level. This is evidenced by the fact that, according to international tests, high school students in this country show better knowledge than graduates from universities in the UK and the USA. At the same time, for our children, such learning will seem very simple, since it looks like a regular game.
The equipment of Helsinki schools and universities is at the highest level. These establishments even have ipods for rent.
All education in Finland is free. Moreover, this applies to foreigners. Payment is possible only at the stage of obtaining a master's degree. Becoming a student at a Finnish university is not at all difficult for a foreigner. Enough proof of English proficiency with an IELTS or TOEFL diploma and passing a simple school test.
The medicine
As in most EU countries, the Finnish healthcare system is funded from the municipal and federal budgets. Moreover, more money is allocated from the treasury on the ground than at the state level. In this regard, the list of free services of health care institutions from region to region can have significant differences.
Medicine in Finland is at the highest level. This can be confirmed by the average life expectancy of the country's population. She is 81 years old. For example, there is an instruction according to which the ambulance team must arrive on call in no more than eight minutes. At the same time, prices for paid medical services in Finland are not as high as in other countries located on the Scandinavian Peninsula. The main reason for this lies in the salaries of doctors and nurses. Here doctors get a lot less. But in general, in terms of the level of the healthcare system, Finland is in third place after Germany and Israel. It is very effective in treating the cardiovascular system and oncology. Mortality from these diseases is reduced due to high-quality diagnosis and timely diagnosis.
A high level of medical care in Finland was made possible thanks to a well-educated staff, as well as the equipping of operating and medical rooms.
Social Security
What else is good life in Finland? In addition to all the advantages listed above, the state is a guarantor of a high level of social protection for various categories of citizens. Among them are unemployed and people with disabilities, young mothers, as well as low-income social groups.
For those who live in Finland, the National Pension Office provides the following benefits:
- an increase in the salary for children;
- payments at birth;
- parental allowance;
- sick pay;
- compensation for the costs of treatment;
- monetary amounts to the unemployed;
- benefits for child care;
- payments for rehabilitation;
- disability benefits;
- two types of pensions;
- housing allowance, as well as payments of a similar nature to those who have reached retirement age;
- Compensation for travel to school.
State Automation
Life in Finland is very convenient. All routine processes in the country have long been automated. There are a minimum number of officials in the state apparatus. Moreover, they perform all their functions only for the people, and not in order to replenish their own wallet with bribes.
For example, the procedure for re-issuing documents for a car takes no more than 5 minutes. The computer about each person contains information that can be useful for all occasions. In a single population base are, for example, medical histories and accounts of residents.
Labor Relations
Finland has a union. Moreover, the legislation stands on the protection of workers, and not employers, first of all. All legal acts are initially written for small business, and not for oligarchs. All legislation is pretty transparent. In Finland, workers are not at all afraid of superiors. There is no practice of "calling on the carpet." From childhood, every specialist develops responsibility, initiative, independence and a desire to improve the work process. Of course, this does not mean at all that Finns are without a doubt superprofessionals and superhumans. There is a shortage of designers and builders, doctors and engineers in the country, and various services and services for the population sometimes work at a low level.
Relations between men and women
No matter how many years you live in Finland, getting used to the fact that couples pay separately in a restaurant is quite difficult. It is surprising for the Russian man that women are not given a hand in transport and do not open doors in front of them. In this country, men look after more than restraint and do not scatter money. However, at the same time, the Finns are caring and loyal husbands who are even ready to sit on maternity leave with children. After all, a woman will be hired faster for her knowledge and experience. The beauty of the fairer sex is not at first in the first place. Maybe that's why young Finns do not look as well-groomed as the Russians, less care about their appearance and even dress worse. But older people are very different from ours. This is especially true for pensioners.
In Finland, couples are considered a rarity, where the husband is more than two years older than his wife. Girls choose a soul mate, usually based on the moral qualities of a young man, and not because of his financial situation. After all, the Finnish people are independent due to the high level of social assistance and the availability of education.
Relations in the country between spouses are built solely on mutually beneficial partnerships and equality. There is no concept that the husband should earn money, and the wife should be engaged in cleaning, washing and watching the child. Very often, neither the wife nor the husband knows how much money is in the accounts of their half. Nobody needs this. Women in this country are independent and can easily find a job not for a full day.
Food
What do Finnish supermarkets offer their customers? On their shelves are only high-quality food products that the country is well known for. Products from Finland are non-glucogenic food. It is also a meal with and without lactose levels. Many products from Finland have the “eco” format.
But no matter what category the product belongs to, there is no doubt that it has passed the necessary quality control. If a deviation from the norm is suddenly found in a batch, then it is withdrawn from sale. Already purchased goods can be returned to the store.
The property
The cost of houses and apartments in Finland can hardly be called low. However, the demand for real estate in this country is constantly growing. It is acquired by emigrants who have moved to the country for permanent residence, as well as those who prefer to relax here.
How much is an apartment in Finland? Prices for such property depend on the area of housing and the city where it is located. For example, in Imatra, a three-room apartment is sold for 650 thousand euros. In Hamina, real estate is much cheaper. Here you can buy a two-room apartment for only 32 thousand euros. The highest prices in Helsinki. Here you can buy a one-room apartment for at least 100 thousand euros.