Metropolitan area is student-friendly, but rising living costs and social crises worry students

According to the survey, the difficulties of making ends meet are already strongly evident in the daily lives of some students. Approximately one third of the students reported that they have refrained from buying food or medicine due to financial constraints. Those who are able to work alongside their studies were less concerned about their livelihoods.

“The increase in inflation has radically affected the purchasing power of students, which clearly affects everyday life. The Student Union is actively marketing work assignments to help job seekers," says Ville Ruokonen, President of the Student Union at Hanken.

The Helsinki metropolitan area is considered quite student-friendly, even though many people think Helsinki is expensive. This is partly offset by the fact that the opportunities for university graduates to get a job in the capital are perceived as good. Despite the fact that on average half of students' net income is spent on housing costs, the majority of respondents are satisfied with their housing situation. As in previous years, the majority of respondents consider it likely that they will continue to live in the capital region in the future.

"The Student Union is pleased that Helsinki is considered student-friendly. We constantly try to offer our events as cheaply as possible so everyone could participate," Ruokonen says.

Hanken will soon conduct its own well-being survey among its bachelor and master students.

The survey was carried out in spring 2023 by the Research Foundation for Studies and Education in cooperation with, among others, the student organisation World Student Capital, universities and student unions in the Helsinki region.

You can read the entire survey on the website of the Research Foundation for Studies and Education here.

Text: Marlene Günsberg