Oulu region for you

People

Oulu is the sixth largest city in Finland in terms of population and for several years it has been one of the fastest growing urban centres in the country. What sets Oulu apart from other Finnish cities is its exceptionally young age structure: the average age of people living in Oulu is approximately 37 years thanks to the big number of students and young workers. Oulu is a vibrant university city, the student population making up 20% of the total population of 131 000 inhabitants. With a land surface area of 369 km², there is no risk of overcrowding.

The number of foreigners living in the city is increasing fast. Tolerance belongs to the values of the city, encouraging multiculturalism and welcoming people from different ethnic backgrounds. Today, there are foreigners of more than 100 nationalities living in Oulu.

When asking foreign students, the locals are considered friendly and very helpful. Finns may seem reserved to start with, but a closer acquaintance will most likely show differently. People speak good English, though learning and knowing Finnish is always an advantage. International students are already a stable as well as welcomed part of the city scene.

Further Information