Racism in Finland safety survey reveals something that is often felt but not always openly discussed. A large majority of people living in Finland now see racism not just as a social issue, but as something that directly affects how safe the country feels.
A new survey commissioned by the Finnish Red Cross and conducted by Taloustutkimus puts numbers to that feeling. According to the findings, 86 percent of respondents believe racism weakens the overall sense of security in Finnish society. The same proportion also believes that confronting racism actively makes society safer.
That symmetry in responses matters. It suggests that people are no longer viewing racism as a distant moral problem. It is now seen as something practical, something that shapes daily life, trust, and public stability.
There is little ambiguity in how people perceive the issue. Nine out of ten respondents said it is important to intervene when racism occurs. Nearly the same number described racism in Finland as a serious problem.
But the gap between belief and action remains clear.
While 85 percent of respondents said they had witnessed racist behaviour, fewer than half said they had stepped in. Most people who stayed silent pointed to uncertainty. Some said the situation passed too quickly. Others admitted they simply did not know how to respond in the moment.
This hesitation reveals something deeper than indifference. It points to a lack of social confidence. People may agree on the principle, but many still feel unprepared when confronted with real situations.
Racism in Finland safety survey also captures a broader concern that goes beyond individual incidents. Respondents linked racism to growing divisions within society and a weakening sense of trust.
This is where the conversation shifts from personal experience to structural impact.
Even among those who have not directly experienced discrimination, there is a clear awareness that racism affects the social fabric. Trust, once eroded, is difficult to rebuild. And in a country that often prides itself on stability and cohesion, that perception carries weight.
Sanna Saarto, who works on anti-racism initiatives at the Red Cross, framed it in simple terms. Racism and discrimination push people outside communities. When people are excluded, the sense of belonging weakens, and with it, the feeling of safety.
Her point is not abstract. It reflects a lived reality where social inclusion and security are closely linked.
One of the most striking findings in the survey comes from younger respondents.
Among people aged 15 to 24, 95 percent said they had either experienced racism themselves or witnessed it. That number alone signals how widespread exposure has become.
The setting is also telling. Online platforms dominate. Eighty-six percent of young respondents reported seeing racist behaviour on the internet or social media.
This shifts the conversation into a space where traditional forms of intervention are less clear. Offline, there are social cues and shared environments. Online, the boundaries are blurred, and responses can feel riskier or less effective.
At the same time, nearly 90 percent of all respondents expressed concern about how racism affects children and young people. There is a growing recognition that early exposure to discrimination can leave lasting marks.
Saarto pointed to existing research showing that young people often expect adults to take responsibility in these situations. That expectation itself is revealing. It suggests that younger generations are not just observing behaviour, but also measuring how older generations respond to it.
The Red Cross does not frame the response to racism as something that requires dramatic intervention. Instead, it emphasizes the cumulative effect of small actions.
A comment that challenges a remark. A gesture that signals support. A decision to speak up, even briefly.
These moments may seem minor in isolation, but they shape social norms over time.
Saarto noted that individuals also have influence within their own circles. Workplaces, schools, and community groups become the everyday arenas where these choices play out. Policies matter, but so do daily interactions.
The survey was conducted between 16 and 19 February 2026, with 1,179 respondents living in Finland. It includes a small but notable share of participants whose native language is not Finnish, Swedish, or Sámi, reflecting some level of diversity in the sample.
The margin of error stands at plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level. Statistically, the results are solid. But the real significance lies in the consistency of the responses.
Across different questions, the pattern holds. People see racism. They recognize its impact. They believe it should be addressed. Yet many still hesitate when the moment to act arrives.
That tension may be the most important takeaway.
Finland is not unique in facing this challenge. But what stands out here is the clarity of public awareness. The conversation is no longer about whether racism exists or whether it matters. Those questions appear settled for most people.
The real question now is whether awareness will translate into everyday action.
