School Health Promotion study

• pupils in grades 4 and 5 of comprehensive school,
• pupils in grades 8 and 9 of comprehensive school,
• students in years 1 and 2 of upper secondary school, and
• students in years 1 and 2 of vocational school.

Further information: School Health Promotion study - THL(external link, opens in a new window)

In Espoo, the share of respondents of the spring 2025 study were 83 per cent of pupils in years 4–5, 69 per cent of pupils in years 8–9, 69 per cent of students in years 1–2 of upper secondary school, and 22 per cent of students in years 1–2 of vocational school.

Based on the results of the study, Espoo’s 4th and 5th graders have a larger part in planning things at their schools than the rest of Finland and compared to the previous study (53 per cent in 2025 vs. 48 per cent in 2023). In primary school, 50 per cent of the pupils liked going to school (up from 42 per cent) and in secondary school, the share had increased from 16 per cent to 20 per cent.

Daily fatigue had fallen among pupils in grade 8 and 9 from 42 per cent in 2023 to 37 per cent, and among upper secondary students, from 46 per cent to 40 per cent. Overall satisfaction with life had grown to 73 per cent among upper secondary students (2023: 69 per cent) and from 66 per cent to 67 per cent among secondary school pupils. Fewer secondary school pupils feel that their health is average or worse, down to 20 per cent from 26 per cent in 2023. Loneliness has also decreased (secondary schools: 13 percent vs. 15 per cent in 2023).

While vapes and other intoxicants were a concern, the study shows that their use has, largely, been decreasing. Vaping among 8th and 9th graders had fallen from 14 per cent to 8 per cent, and from 12 per cent to 7 per cent among upper secondary students. Smoking had also fallen among secondary school pupils, from 9 per cent to 5 per cent, and from 11 per cent and 8 per cent among upper secondary students. The proportion of secondary school pupils who were heavily drunk at least once a month had fallen from 9 per cent to 7 per cent.

Experiences of sexual harassment had fallen in both secondary school and upper secondary school, with disturbing sexual proposals or harassment being experienced by 23 per cent (2023: 30 per cent).

While the respondents liked going to school, fatigue had also become more prominent. Of the pupils in grades 8 and 9, 29 per cent had felt insignificant and inadequate (2023: 24 per cent); of the upper secondary students, 17 per cent (2023: 16 per cent). Young people had also been more concerned for their own mental health in the past 12 months than before (41 per cent of the pupils in grades 8 and 9; 37 per cent in 2023). Mental health challenges remain pronounced among girls.

Nicotine pouches have gained a clear position in the lives of young people, despite being prohibited by law to buy for minors. Seven per cent of Espoo pupils in grades 8 and 9 have used nicotine pouches (2023: 4 per cent); among upper secondary students, this figure has risen to 12 per cent (2023: 5 per cent). Nicotine pouches often contain large amounts of nicotine, which is addictive and harmful for the development of a child or young person’s brain. They may have various adverse effects on the user’s health and also damage the mucous membranes in the mouth.

A larger proportion of Espoo upper secondary students (17 per cent) had been heavily drunk at least once per month compared to the rest of the country (12 per cent). Experimentation with illegal drugs is also more common in Espoo (13 per cent of upper secondary students in Espoo, 9 per cent in the rest of Finland). Daily of use energy drinks has also become more common: 11 per cent of upper secondary students (up from 5 per cent) consume them and only 50 per cent of them sleep eight hours at night (2023: 54 per cent).

In Espoo, 43 per cent of upper secondary students and 40 per cent of secondary school pupils have often tried to spend less time online but have been unsuccessful. In 2023, this proportion was 37 per cent. This is also higher than the national average.

Experiences of bullying have mostly stayed the same as the previous study. Nine per cent of primary school pupils and seven per cent of secondary school pupils experience bullying every week. However, children with an immigrant background face significantly more bullying (14 per cent at primary school, 11 per cent at secondary school). Experiences of discrimination at school or in free time were also far more common among children and young people of an immigrant background. Of secondary school pupils with a Finnish background, 31 per cent had experiences of discrimination; the share was 51 percent for pupils with an immigrant background. Experiences of discrimination among upper secondary students had fallen from 20 per cent to 16 per cent.

The city-level results will be handled during autumn and spring at many of the city’s management groups, steering groups and elected bodies. They will also be a part of the well-being plan for children and young people for 2026–2029. Schools and educational institutions will receive their individual results on 25 September 2025. They will be handled in welfare groups for students and pupils to consider development targets for individual units.

Further information: Annika Kaarnalehto, Senior Planning Officer, Growth and Learning Sector, City of Espoo

annika.kaarnalehto@espoo.fi