Lexi Webster
Finland and Australia are two countries with distinct characteristics that offer unique opportunities and experiences. Both countries have their strengths and weaknesses, and comparing them can provide insight into various aspects, such as culture, nature, quality of life, and more. Finland, known for its pristine nature and clean environment, boasts the cleanest air in the world and an egalitarian society with a strong focus on gender equality. On the other hand, Australia, with its diverse landscapes and unique wildlife, has a strong economy and a high ranking on the Human Development Index. By examining these countries through different lenses, we can gain a deeper understanding of their allure and appeal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | Finland: 5,603,851; Australia: 26,658,948 |
| Surface Area | Finland: 338,470 sq. km; Australia: 7,682,300 sq. km or 7,741,220 sq. km |
| Capital | Finland: Helsinki; Australia: Canberra |
| Currency | Finland: Euros; Australia: Australian dollars |
| Religion | Finland and Australia: Mostly Christianity |
| Organisations | Finland: CoE, EA, EEA, IMF, OECD, UN, OSCE, EU; Australia: G20, IMF, OECD, UN, PIF |
| Average Life Expectancy | Finland: 82 years; Australia: 83 years |
| Obesity Rate | Finland: 22.2%; Australia: 29.0% |
| Unemployment Rate | Finland: 7.2%; Australia: 3.7% |
| Top Tax Rate | Finland: 51.6%; Australia: 45.0% |
| Maternal Mortality Rate | Finland: 8.0 per 100,000 births; Australia: 3.0 per 100,000 births |
| Birth Rate | Finland: 10.2 per 1,000 people; Australia: 12.2 per 1,000 people |
| Infant Mortality Rate | Finland: 2.1 per 1,000 live births; Australia: N/A |
| Gender Equality | Finland: Second smallest gender gap in the world; Australia: Ranked 46th |
| Natural Environment | Finland: 71% forest cover, 187,888 lakes, clean water and air; Australia: 70% receives less than 500 mm rainfall per year, over 10,000 beaches, unique flora and fauna |
| Culture | Finland: Reindeer meat and mash with lingonberry jam; Australia: Kangaroo meat |
| Happiness Index | Australia: Ranked 10th happiest country in the world; Finland: Ranked best country to live in |
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What You'll Learn
- Population: Finland has 5.6 million people, Australia has 26.6 million
- Nature: Finland has pristine nature, Australia has unique wildlife
- Immigration: Finland is best for immigrants, Australia has more expats
- History: Australia federated in 1901, Finland gave women early rights
- Economy: Finland has high tax, Australia has a strong market economy
Population: Finland has 5.6 million people, Australia has 26.6 million
When it comes to population, Finland and Australia present contrasting pictures. Finland has a population of 5.6 million people, while Australia is home to 26.6 million people, making it the more populous country. This significant difference in population size has implications for various aspects of life in these two nations.
One of the key implications of population size is the availability of employment opportunities. Generally, more populated cities or countries offer better job prospects due to larger economies that attract businesses and investments. In this regard, Australia's larger population may provide its residents with a wider range of career options. However, it is worth noting that other factors, such as economic growth and development, also play a role in determining employment prospects.
The population density, or how spread out the inhabitants are, differs between Finland and Australia due to their contrasting population sizes. Australia, with its larger population, may have areas that feel more dynamic and bustling, especially in its urban centres. On the other hand, Finland's lower population density contributes to its pristine natural environment, with over 71% of the country covered in forests and a vast number of lakes. The Finnish people have a deep connection with nature, and their laws allow individuals to explore the forests, fish in any lake, and pick their own berries and mushrooms.
The population size also influences the cultural landscape of a country. Australia's larger population may result in more diverse cultural offerings, with vibrant cities serving as important cultural centres and research hubs. Finland, despite its smaller population, has consistently ranked highly on the World Happiness Report, indicating a high level of life satisfaction and well-being among its residents. Additionally, Finland has been recognised as a great place for immigrants, with the highest happiness levels reported by immigrants in the country.
While Australia and Finland differ in their population sizes, both countries have been ranked highly on the Human Development Index, which takes into account factors such as life expectancy, knowledge, and standard of living. This suggests that despite their population differences, both nations provide their citizens with a good quality of life and opportunities for personal development.
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Nature: Finland has pristine nature, Australia has unique wildlife
Finland's nature is pristine, with clean water and the cleanest air in the world. The country has over 187,000 lakes, and activities on the lakes include fishing, paddle boarding, and ice skating. Finland also has the world's largest archipelago, with more than 80,000 islands off its coast, and over 71% of the country is covered in forests. There are more than 40 national parks and hundreds of nature preserves, with marked hiking routes, nature trails, information boards, and picnic sites. Finland's nature is home to wildlife such as bears, wolves, lynxes, eagles, cranes, swans, and the world's rarest seal.
Finland's "Everyman's rights" mean people can venture almost anywhere as long as they respect nature and clean up after themselves. They can wander around the forests, pick berries and mushrooms, and fish from any lake.
In contrast, Australia's wildlife is unique, with more than 80% of its plants, mammals, reptiles, and frogs found nowhere else in the world. Some of its well-known animals include kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, wombats, dingoes, platypuses, and echidnas. Australia has over 10,000 beaches, and 70% of the country receives less than 500 mm of rain per year, making it the driest inhabited continent.
The Australian Wildlife Conservancy is the largest private owner of land for conservation in the country, protecting endangered species across 4.8 million hectares of land. Australia is a member of the International Whaling Commission and strongly opposes commercial whaling, with all cetacean species protected in Australian waters. However, conservation efforts have been challenging due to issues such as invasive species, land clearing, and poor management of the coastal environment.
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Immigration: Finland is best for immigrants, Australia has more expats
Finland and Australia are both ranked highly as desirable places to live. Australia has a lot to offer immigrants, including a strong economy, a high standard of living, and a stable, democratic, and culturally diverse environment. However, it is expensive to live in, with high rent and housing costs, and eating out, drinking, and groceries are also costly.
Australia has a more streamlined and fast-paced system for immigration, but it is stricter in terms of obtaining citizenship. To become an Australian citizen, you must be a resident for at least five years. This is a more challenging prospect for immigrants as the cost of living is high, and there is a preference for migrants over the local population in terms of housing.
Finland, on the other hand, is a great place for immigrants, with the highest happiness levels of immigrants in the World Happiness Report. Finland has a more egalitarian society, with a smaller gender gap than Australia, and a tradition of sexual equality. It also has a good work-life balance, and there are benefits for students, including the ability to work while studying. Finland is also more affordable than Australia, with lower rent and housing costs, and cheaper eating out and drinking options.
Finland has a more challenging climate, and it is less multicultural, with a language barrier for immigrants. Taxes are quite high in Finland, and it is a smaller economy than Australia, which may impact employment opportunities.
In conclusion, while Australia has a stronger economy and a faster immigration process, Finland is more affordable, with a happier immigrant population, a better work-life balance, and a more egalitarian society.
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History: Australia federated in 1901, Finland gave women early rights
Australia federated in 1901 when six British colonies—New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania—united to form the Commonwealth of Australia. The process of federation was not without its challenges, as the colonies were almost like separate countries with their own governments, laws, defence forces, stamps, and tariffs. Queensland, for instance, initially refused to join the Federation out of fear of losing its Pacific Islander labour force. However, referendums held in 1898 and 1899 saw majority votes in favour of federation, and the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 was passed on 5 July 1900, receiving royal assent from Queen Victoria on 9 July 1900.
Finland, on the other hand, has a history of pioneering gender equality and was the first country in the world to offer full political rights to women in 1906. The Finnish women's movement began in 1884 with the establishment of the Suomen Naisyhdistys, the first feminist women's organisation in Finland. This was followed by the creation of the Naisasialiitto Unioni in 1892, the first organisation exclusively devoted to women's suffrage. In 1906, the Parliament Act established a unicameral parliament and granted women the right to vote and stand for election, making Finnish women the first in Europe to have unrestricted political rights. The following year, 19 female MPs were elected, marking a significant milestone in the nation's politics. Finland continued to build on these early gains, and in 1929, a new marriage law was enacted, establishing complete legal equality for married women.
In summary, while Australia's federation in 1901 united several British colonies into the Commonwealth of Australia, Finland's history during this period focused on advancing women's rights, becoming the first country in the world to grant full political rights to women in 1906 and ensuring legal equality for married women in 1929.
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Economy: Finland has high tax, Australia has a strong market economy
Finland and Australia are both ranked highly in terms of happiness and liveability. Finland has been crowned the best country to live in, while Australia was ranked the 10th happiest country in the world. However, when it comes to their economies, there are some notable differences. Finland has a high-tax regime, with progressive tax rates for residents and flat tax rates for non-residents. In contrast, Australia has a strong market economy, characterised by economic liberalisation and a dominant service sector.
Finland has a progressive taxation system, where taxes are imposed on both earned income and capital income. Residents are taxed on their worldwide income, while non-residents are taxed only on Finnish-source income. Finland also has a flat tax rate for municipal tax purposes, which includes funding for the church and social security. Additionally, Finland levies specific taxes such as the health insurance contribution, unemployment insurance fee, and church tax.
On the other hand, Australia has a strong market economy, which is highly resilient and stable. It has a history of economic liberalisation, with intermittent periods of recession. The Australian economy is dominated by its service sector, which includes tourism, education, and financial services. This sector contributes significantly to the country's GDP and employment. Australia also has a thriving mining industry, which experienced a boom in 2009-2010, contributing to the country's economic growth.
The Australian economy is open and trade-exposed, meaning its performance is influenced by global demand for its exports. Australia is rich in natural resources and is a major exporter of agricultural products, minerals, and energy. The country's banking system has also been ranked highly, contributing to its strong economic position. However, Australia has faced challenges in managing the cost-of-living crisis, with a sustained erosion of purchasing power for households.
In summary, Finland and Australia offer different economic landscapes. Finland's economy is characterised by high taxes and a comprehensive social security system, while Australia has a strong market economy with a focus on service, mining, and exports. Both countries have their unique approaches to economic policies, and individuals may find different aspects appealing depending on their personal circumstances and preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia has a population of 26,658,948, whereas Finland's population is 5,603,851.
Finland was crowned the best country to live in, and Australia was ranked the 10th happiest country in the world. However, the happiness of immigrants was highest in Finland.
The capital of Finland is Helsinki, and the capital of Australia is Canberra.
Finland has an unemployment rate of 7.2%, and Australia has a rate of 3.7%.
Finland has an average life expectancy of 82 years, and Australia's average life expectancy is 83 years.
