Half a Million People in Finland Feel Discrimination

Discrimination due to age and gender was the most widespread. A large portion of ethnic minorities also felt discriminated against.

Nearly two-thirds of Finns say they know their rights if they are discriminated against. Throughout the EU, that number was on average just one-third.

Finns also say they are satisfied with government's programmes to prevent discrimination. Nearly two-thirds say the government does enough to stop discrimination. Again, in the EU, that number was just one-third. Neighbourly Feelings Don't Extend to Roma The poll also asked respondents how they would feel if a member of an ethnic minority moved next door. A large number of Finns say they would be disturbed if a member of the Roma community became their neighbour. However, according to the research, Finns are more often friends or acquaintances with Roma than EU citizens are on average. In addition, nearly half of Finns have an acquaintance who is an immigrant or a member of an ethnic minority. Throughout the EU, that number is slightly higher -- or 55 percent of the population. Seventy percent of Finns have friends or acquaintances with different religions or beliefs. That number in the EU is 60 percent. Some 1,000 people in Finland participated in the survey carried out in February-March of this year. YLE