Finnish Red Cross survey: Majority of people living in Finland feel that racism undermines the safety of society

A clear majority of people living in Finland feel that racism undermines their sense of safety, even if they themselves do not experience racism. In the survey commissioned by the Finnish Red Cross and conducted by Taloustutkimus, the majority of respondents thought that racism increases polarisation in society. Furthermore, 86% of respondents felt that racism undermines the safety of society. Just as many thought that taking action against racism increases safety for everyone in Finland.

Of the survey respondents, 90% felt it was important to take action against racism. Almost as many people considered it a serious matter that people experience racism in Finland.

The majority of the survey respondents, 85%, had witnessed racism. However, less than half of them had taken action against the racism that they had witnessed. As reasons for not taking action, these respondents mentioned that the situation was over quickly or that they did not know what to do.

“Racism and discrimination exclude people from communities. When we take action against racism and discrimination, we strengthen trust and build communities and societies where everyone is safer,” says Expert on Anti-racism Activities Sanna Saarto from the Finnish Red Cross.

Almost all young people have witnessed racism

Among respondents aged 15–24, 95% had experienced or witnessed racism. It was most prevalent online and on social media, where 86% of young people had witnessed racism.

According to the survey, almost 90% of respondents considered it a serious matter that racism affects the sense of safety of children and young people in Finland.
“We know from previous surveys that young people want adults, in particular, to take action against racism. Experiencing racism at a young age can affect a person for the rest of their life,” says Saarto.

According to Saarto, taking action against racism can feel challenging, but it is really important to do so.

“There are many ways to take action. Even small gestures or words can be enough to show your support for someone who is experiencing racism. Everyone can also influence practices in their own communities, such as workplaces or hobby groups.”

Survey on taking action against racism 2026

The survey on taking action against racism was commissioned by the Finnish Red Cross and carried out by Taloustutkimus. The data collection was carried out between 16 and 19 February 2026. Responses to the survey were received from a total of 1,179 people, 100 of whom had a mother tongue other than Finnish, Swedish or Sami. The statistical margin of error of the survey’s main results is, with 95% confidence, approximately ± 3.1 per cent at a maximum.