Kuopio is becoming more international – the number of foreigners and non-native speakers is growing

At the end of 2025 Kuopio had a population of 126 600 residents, of whom 6 666 were foreign nationals. This represents 5.3 percent of the city’s population, meaning that approximately one in twenty residents of Kuopio is a foreign national. There were 9 208 foreign-language speakers in Kuopio, accounting for 7.3 percent of the population.

The number of foreign nationals increased by 686 during 2025. This growth is primarily due to migration in recent years, including from Ukraine, as well as international students. Kuopio is home to residents representing approximately 120 different nationalities, reflecting the city’s growing diversity.

The largest ethnic and linguistic groups

The largest groups of foreign nationals in Kuopio in 2025 were Ukrainians (1 117 persons) and Russians (711). Other significant groups include immigrants from Nigeria, Bangladesh, China, Estonia, and Sri Lanka.

There are Kuopio residents speaking foreign languages from approximately 90 different language groups. The most common native languages are Russian (1 830), Ukrainian (1 009), Arabic (830) and English (642). The number of foreign-language speakers increased by 817 people during the year, representing nearly a 10 percent annual growth.

Kuopio compared to large cities

Although the proportion of foreign nationals in Kuopio is growing steadily, it remains lower than the average for Finland’s 15 largest cities. In 2025 the proportion of foreign nationals in Kuopio was 5.3 percent, while the average for the comparison cities was 10.7 percent.

International students strengthen the city

Kuopio is also a significant student city. In 2024 there were approximately 2 200 international students studying in Kuopio. Most of them were studying in vocational education, at the university of applied sciences, or at the university. International students are an important part of the city’s vitality and future workforce.