Espoo is Finland’s most vital and attractive city according to EVP Index
According to the latest EVP index (2025), only four cities have managed to improve their vitality and attraction and retention power in the 2020s. These cities are Espoo, Kajaani, Mikkeli and Rovaniemi. Most of the municipalities with the highest EVP Index scores are located in Uusimaa.
The EVP Index was developed by MDI/FCG to support municipalities’ strategic work and to monitor the overall situation. Its purpose is to offer a comprehensive assessment of the vitality and attraction and retention power of different areas. Unlike most vitality studies, the EVP Index is fact‑based rather than perception‑based. It consists of 20 key variables and two sub‑indexes: the vitality index and the attraction and retention index.
“Despite the global situation and Finland’s economic challenges, Espoo has remained an appealing place to live and an attractive location for businesses. People want to move to Espoo and stay here, and we generate a wealth of new innovations and growth that foster faith in the future. These elements form the foundation of Espoo’s vitality and exceptionally strong attraction and retention,” says Mervi Heinaro, Espoo’s Deputy Mayor for Economic Development, Sports and Culture.
Espoo ranks first in overall index and attraction and retention results
In the overall index, the best-performing municipalities and areas are strongly concentrated in Uusimaa’s growth centres.
Among major cities, the top performers were Espoo (82.05), Helsinki (81.98), Tampere (72.6), Vantaa (72.5) and Porvoo (70.6).
Vitality is strong in most major cities, but there is a great deal of variation in attraction and retention, and some central cities struggle with poor attraction and retention. One reason may be that people who have studied in urban centres or moved there from abroad are not “absorbed” into the city.
There is no single factor behind a high EVP score, but typically it reflects strong urbanisation and some degree of specialisation.
“Espoo has a strong and distinctive innovation culture based on effectiveness and collaboration between various operators, such as Aalto University, VTT, the city and local businesses. This creates internationally appealing jobs that also attract Finnish talent,” Heinaro adds.
“Smooth everyday life is also important. Our high‑quality services, good schools and day care centres, and pleasant residential areas attract people and keep them here.”
Attraction and retention are more important for municipalities
The 2025 EVP Index confirms that regional development in Finland has not evened out in the 2020s. Vitality variables have weakened in most regions, affecting nearly the entire country. The top performers in the vitality index are concentrated in Uusimaa, and many municipalities in Lapland are also doing well.
Attraction and retention are emphasised in urban areas and surrounding municipalities, and their importance outweighs vitality in determining the overall position of many municipalities.
“Here in Espoo, we have a growing number of children and young people. It requires investments in education and recreational opportunities, but young people also create the future and ensure that employers continue to have the skilled workforce they need. That is why retention, in particular, is a key element in building regional vitality,” Mervi Heinaro says.
The vitality-related variables in the EVP Index focus on income, economic, business, employment, education and health dynamics. The attraction and retention variables examine population, migration, housing, construction and leisure dynamics.
The Association of Finnish Cities and Municipalities replaced its previous vitality indicator with the EVP Index developed by MDI/FCG at the beginning of February 2026, although the EVP Index has been in use since 2023.