Eight million Finns in 2050?

In spring 2025, Sitra organised a call for funding for studies called Futures of Economic Growth, which will examine the future of Finnish economic growth from new perspectives. Six projects were awarded funding, and MDI is one of the recipients. The projects were implemented by the end of 2025.

MDIs project considered the future of economic growth and sustainability in Finland and its municipalities by asking: What if there were eight million Finns in Finland in 2050? What social structures should Finland reform and what would be the consequences of a clearly larger population? What could the identity of Finnishness look like in a Finland of eight million? ​

The project involved experts from different fields, immigrants and young people using different methods. The project produced a foresight analysis, a diverse vision and an impact assessment of what a Finland of eight million inhabitants could look like in 2050 and what changes would be required to achieve it. In addition, the project aimed to stimulate a societal debate about Finland’s positive future.