According to the survey, young people with an immigrant background living in Riihimäki are doing well

Riihimäki's 16-29-year-old residents with an immigrant background are mostly doing well. This is clear from a survey conducted online by the City of Riihimäki from September 23 to October 31, 2025. According to the survey responses, almost 90 percent of young people are satisfied with their life in Riihimäki and almost 80 percent feel like equal city residents.

– According to the responses we received to the survey, the majority of young people with an immigrant background are studying, feel they receive sufficient Finnish language instruction, can speak Finnish or want to learn Finnish. Based on the responses, they are very ambitious and have clear future plans regarding their studies and careers, says integration expert Marisa Tanner from the City of Riihimäki.

The majority of respondents have close friends, including Finnish friends. More than 70 percent of respondents reported that they have not experienced racism or bullying in their circle of friends. Almost 80 percent of respondents said that they have received support and help with their challenges. The majority of young people with an immigrant background responded that they have not acted violently or otherwise criminally. They also responded that they use intoxicants very little.

The city of Riihimäki conducted a survey among residents with an immigrant background aged 16–29. 75 people responded to the survey. The questions were in Finnish, English, Ukrainian and Russian. The young people were allowed to answer in any language, and the answers were translated into Finnish. The purpose was to enable them to answer in their own emotional language.

The goal is to be a community-based hometown for everyone

The City of Riihimäki is running the International Riihimäki action program. Its vision is that Riihimäki is an internationally networked and communal hometown for everyone.

– Our goal is that positive everyday encounters in Riihimäki strengthen the sense of belonging and two-way integration. Every resident must have equal opportunities for studying, working life and a good everyday life. The results of the survey suggest that we are on the right track, says integration expert Tanner happily.

With the survey, the city of Riihimäki wanted to not only find out how young people with an immigrant background are doing, but also to become aware of possible challenges and areas for development.

– Based on the results of the survey, there is still room for improvement in our communications, at least, so that various events and opportunities also reach residents with an immigrant background. Strengthening communications is also one of the goals of the International Riihimäki action program, says integration expert Tanner.