ÅLAND - Population
In the beginning of 2003, there were 26 300 inhabitants in Åland. The number of Ålanders has progressed steadily since around 1970. The share of region's residents under 25 years old is slightly lower than the Finnish average whereas the opposite is true for people over 65.
Immigration to Åland has been somewhat more common than emigration. In 2002, there were 631 emigrants against 852 immigrants, whereas emigration was higher than immigration during the three previous years. Most of the people who have moved to the archipelago, particularly to Mariehamn, have been Swedish-speakers from Finland. Emigration from the islands has primarily been to Sweden. The total population varies greatly depending on the time of year: in summer there are more tourists than actual inhabitants.
Narrowing age pyramids form a greater problem in Åland than in Finland. The distorted age structure is primarily due to the ageing population. The birth rate has also declined during the 1990's and was established at 10.3 per thousands residents in 2002, against 14.9 in 1990. The infant mortality is low: yearly between 0 and 3 over the 1990's.
The life expectancy of the islanders in 2001 was almost 81 years. For the female part of the population this figure was even higher, 84.7 years, while the average life expectancy of the male islanders was just above 77.
About 5% of the population in Åland are of foreign nationality. This share has been steadily increasing over the 1990's.
|
|