Population and population trends

The population structure varies among the Nordic countries. Finland has the oldest population (almost 23 per cent aged 65 years or more) followed by Denmark and Sweden (20 per cent). Greenland (21 per cent are under 15 years and 8.5 percent aged 65 years or more) and Iceland (14 per cent) have the youngest population.

The development in population growth varies among the Nordic countries. The natural increase has been largest in Iceland and the Faroe Islands the past decade. Denmark, Greenland, Finland, and Åland have had the lowest natural increase. Finland has had a negative natural population growth since 2017. In 2019, net migration contributed to population growth in all the Nordic countries except for Greenland.

Life expectancy in the Nordic countries has increased significantly, and even though women generally live longer, the difference between the life expectancy of men and of women has been reduced. Between 2010 and 2019, the growth in male life expectancy at birth was higher than two years in Finland and Norway. For women, the growth in life expectancy was under two years in all countries. The difference between male and female life expectancy has decreased, but women live three years longer than men in Iceland, Sweden and Norway and four years longer in Denmark and Greenland, and almost five years in Faroe Islands and Åland. In Finland, the gender difference is largest, 5.3 years in 2019.