A unique city

Espoo is the second-largest and fastest growing city in Finland. In 2022, Espoo’s population exceeded 300,000, and by the end of 2025, Espoo had approximately 326,000 residents. According to population forecasts, the growth will continue and Espoo will have over 380,000 residents by the end of 2033. The population increases by an average of 6,500 people per year, highlighting Espoo’s strong appeal.

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Espoo is also home to many international corporations. Companies such as Nokia(external link, opens in a new window), Kone(external link, opens in a new window), Neste(external link, opens in a new window), Rovio(external link, opens in a new window), Fortum(external link, opens in a new window), Fiskars(external link, opens in a new window) and Valmet(external link, opens in a new window) have chosen Espoo as the location of their headquarters. In 2025, the combined turnover of Espoo-based listed companies amounted to EUR 70.24 billion. This is more than 40 per cent of the total turnover generated by all Finnish listed companies.

Espoo is also the capital of Finnish growth companies, as more than half of Finland’s university-based growth companies originate from Aalto University(external link, opens in a new window). Together with Aalto University and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland(external link, opens in a new window), Espoo forms a hub bringing together operators developing innovations for a better life.

Espoo offers excellent conditions for business activities due to its population structure, among other things. The city’s population is growing, and more than 60% of residents are of working age. Espoo residents are highly educated, with more than 40% of residents over 20 holding a university degree. Approximately 24% of Espoo’s population are under the age of 20, meaning the city’s future looks bright!

Espoo is internationally recognised as a pioneer in sustainable development. In 2023, emissions decreased faster than targeted, and per-capita emissions remained the lowest in the Helsinki metropolitan area. In 2024, Espoo compiled the Climate Neutral Espoo 2030 roadmap(external link, opens in a new window), which brings together the city’s ambitious climate actions.

Espoo’s sustainable development work focuses on developing, testing and implementing urban structures of the future, in cooperation with partners and residents. An excellent example is the award-winning Kera development commitment. In Kera, the city is using a new urban development tool that guides local operators towards implementing sustainable solutions collaboratively and over the long term. Another great example of cooperation is the joint project between Microsoft and Fortum(external link, opens in a new window). Microsoft’s data centre currently under construction in Espoo will provide zero-emission district heating for Fortum’s customers in the capital region. The project promotes digitalisation, reduces emissions, creates jobs and strengthens the vitality of the region.

The City of Espoo has been a forerunner both nationally and internationally in promoting the UN’s 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This pioneering and internationally award-winning project ended at the end of 2025. The results and lessons learned are presented in a book entitled ‘Stories of European Cities’.

In 2023, Espoo became the first Finnish city selected to lead a city network in the EU-funded URBACT cooperation programme. The programme focuses on promoting strategic and holistic sustainable urban development based on the SDGs. The green transition takes place in cities, and networking provides Espoo with new opportunities to strengthen its competitiveness and sustainable growth. The project ended in 2025, but the work continues through a new URBACT network, of which Espoo is a member.

Through climate-smart city planning, Espoo is becoming an increasingly appealing and nature-friendly city where everyday services are easily accessible by walking, cycling or public transport. The Sustainable Future Districts project complemented climate-smart city planning by pioneering innovative solutions and services across four urban environment themes: clean energy, low-carbon construction and the circular economy, sustainable mobility, and nature-based solutions. Through planning, Espoo not only addresses the challenges of climate change and population growth but also creates a vibrant and sustainable urban environment for its residents. The Sustainable Future Districts project ended in March 2026.

More information about climate-smart city planning is available on the City of Espoo website.

Read more about sustainable development in Espoo.

Espoo is one of Finland’s most international cities. At the end of 2025, a quarter of Espoo residents were foreign-language speakers. Espoo is home to people of 150 different nationalities. At present, the main driver of population growth in Espoo is net immigration. The city’s growing number of foreign-language residents means that Espoo is rapidly becoming more international. By 2040, the number of foreign-language residents is projected to be around 139,500.

Read more about international Espoo.

The City of Espoo offers its residents and visitors a wide range of high-quality cultural and leisure services.

Espoo has several urban development projects underway that will improve and diversify the city’s cultural services. A good example is the Kulttuuriaukio square in Tapiola, where the Espoo Cultural Centre is being extended to include a 500-seat auditorium, primarily intended for theatre productions. In addition, the area around the square is being developed into an attractive and cohesive urban space, surrounded by office and commercial premises, services and housing. In the future, the Kulttuuriaukio square could also serve as an event venue.

The Vermo Areena harness racing track in Leppävaara is another excellent setting for a wide range of events. Its operations have been expanded beyond harness racing to include other major events. For example, the Weekend Festival music event was held at Vermo for the first time in summer 2023.

In the field of sports and exercise, the Tapiola sports park is undergoing a major renovation that will transform the area into an easily accessible venue for sports and events. The new football stadium to be built in the sports park will make it possible to organise world-class matches and major events.