Finnish youth show strongest interest in entrepreneurship in Nordic countries

A new Nordic Pulse survey by Nordea shows that 40% of Finns aged 18–34 have considered starting a business or dreamed about doing so.

Among young adults in Finland, interest in entrepreneurship is particularly strong among men. Nearly half of them (48%) have considered starting a business. Among young women, about one third have considered entrepreneurship.

The second-highest level of youth interest in entrepreneurship in the Nordic countries is in Sweden, where 36% of survey respondents say they have considered or dreamed about becoming entrepreneurs.

“Entrepreneurship is already seen as an opportunity early in young people’s careers, which points to a shift in how young people view entrepreneurship,” says Nina Luomanen, Nordea’s Head of SME Customers in Finland.

The findings are broadly in line with the NYT Youth Future Report. The autumn 2025 report surveyed a slightly different age group: nearly 4,900 young people studying in lower secondary school and upper secondary education responded. Of those surveyed, 51% said they could see themselves running their own businesses. The share has risen in recent years and is now 13 percentage points higher than three years ago.

One in five young people interested in entrepreneurship said they already have a business idea in mind. Young people are particularly drawn to entrepreneurship by the opportunity to do work that feels meaningful and aligned with their values. Among respondents, 27% believe they will start their own business, while 45% say they could take over an existing company founded by someone else.

Interest declines with age

Nordea’s latest survey also shows that in Finland interest in entrepreneurship declines as people get older. Nordea says that willingness to give up the security of a stable job also plays a role in the decision.

Across all age groups, 29% of respondents in Finland say they have considered or dreamed about entrepreneurship. The corresponding figure in Sweden is slightly higher at 34%. In Norway, 16% have considered entrepreneurship, while in Denmark the figure is only 12%.

The Nordic Pulse survey included about 4,000 respondents aged 18–79 from Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. There were roughly one thousand respondents from each country. The survey was conducted in January 2026.

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