The number of clients in shelters increased in 2025 compared with the previous year. There were 5,979 clients in shelters in total, which is about 180 more than in 2024.
In 2025, clients spent a total of approximately 113,000 days in the shelters, which is nearly 8 per cent more than in 2024. The average time spent in a shelter increased by one day from the previous year: in 2025, the average stay was 19 days.
These data for 2025 are based on the preliminary data in the statistics on shelters for victims of domestic violence.
Shelters for victims of domestic violence 2024
In 2024, there were 5,801 clients in shelters in total. Of the clients, 58 per cent were adults and 42 per cent were children. Of the adult clients, 91 per cent were women and 9 per cent were men. The number of clients in shelters increased by 8 per cent compared with 2023. The number of both female clients and child clients increased by 9 per cent. The number of male clients decreased by 7 per cent from 2023.
Increase also in the number of days spent in the shelters
In 2024, clients spent a total of 104,802 days in the shelters, which is 3,018 (+3%) days more than in 2023.
At the end of 2024, there were 28 shelters operating in Finland, with places for a total of 228 families or clients arriving alone.
The number of persons referred to another shelter due to lack of space increased
People were referred from one shelter to another one due to lack of space a total of 1,318 times. The figure includes enquiries about shelter places made by the person experiencing violence, by authorities and by other parties. In 2024, clients from Southwest Finland had to be referred to a shelter in another area more often than clients from other areas where only one shelter operates.
In 2024, the utilisation rate of shelters was 68 per cent. Shelter services are state-funded, legally defined special services for people who have experienced domestic violence or are living under the threat of it.
| Year | Clients |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 3055 |
| 2016 | 3535 |
| 2017 | 4 333 |
| 2018 | 5 063 |
| 2019 | 5 354 |
| 2020 | 5 244 |
| 2021 | 4 963 |
| 2022 | 5 163 |
| 2023 | 5 364 |
| 2024 | 5 759 |
| 2025 | 5979 |
About the data in more detail
- Preliminary data on shelters for victims of domestic violence 2025 (pdf)
- Read the full statistical report 2024 (Julkari)
- Indicator data in Sotkanet
Background information
- Statistical quality report (pp. 12–16, Julkari)
- Privacy notice
- Data description (Data resources catalogue)
- Instructions for submitting data
- Previous statistics (2023) (Julkari)
Source
Shelters for Victims of Domestic Violence 2024
Statistical Report 36/2025, 2 June 2025.
Official Statistics of Finland, Shelters for Victims of Domestic Violence. THL.
Description of the statistics
These statistics contain information on the utilisation rates of shelters, the number of shelter clients, the duration of stays, the forms of violence experienced by the clients and the clients’ background information. The statistics also contain national data on days spent in shelters.
THL began regular data collection on shelters for victims of domestic violence in 2015, when the Act on Compensation Payable from State Funds to Shelter Service Providers (1354/2014) entered into force.
All shelters are required to compile statistics on their operations and submit the data to THL on the basis of the decision concerning shelter service providers. Statistical data are collected annually from all shelters in Finland.
Update schedule
The statistics are published annually in May, and the preliminary data in January of the year following the statistical year.
Contact details
Development Manager
[email protected]
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