Well-being of children and young people – School Health Promotion Study 2025

More children and youth find their health to be good and can often discuss their matters with parents

A large proportion of children and young people (58-89%) were satisfied with their lives. Students in grades 4 and 5 of basic education were more commonly satisfied with their lives than students in grades 8 and 9 of basic education and students in upper secondary education. Boys were more commonly satisfied with their lives than girls. The share of young girls satisfied with life increased since 2023.

It was most common for students in grades 4 and 5 of basic education (boys 66% and girls 74%) and 1st and 2nd-year students of vocational institutions (boys 83% and girls 75%) to like studying. Approximately one half of students in grades 8 and 9 of basic education and approximately two thirds of 1st and 2nd-year students in general upper secondary education liked studying.

A large proportion of children and young people (62–84%) felt that they could discuss their personal matters with their parents often or fairly often. Boys felt this way more often than girls.

The School Health Promotion study produces monitoring data every second year on the perceived health and well-being of children and young people, and their lifestyle, schoolwork and studying. This statistical report discusses the main results related to health and well-being for the year 2025, based on the responses of 269,899 children and young people. This statistic replaces the previous separate statistics on the Well-being of children and young people and on the Daily life of young people.

Download the full statistical report

Of students in grades 4 and 5 of basic education, 89 per cent of boys and 81 per cent of girls were satisfied with their lives. Of students in grades 8 and 9 of basic education and 1st and 2nd-year students in general upper secondary schools and vocational institutions, 76–78 per cent of boys and 58–67 per cent of girls were satisfied with their lives. Studying was most commonly liked by students in grades 4 and 5 of basic education (boys 66 % and girls 74%) and students of vocational institutions (boys 83% and girls 75%). Of students in the 8th and 9th year of basic education (boys 54% and girls 48%) and students in general upper secondary schools (boys 66% and girls 61%), about one half liked studying. 84 pro cent of boys and 80 pro cent of girls in grades 4 and 5 of basic education felt that they could discuss their personal matters with their parents often or fairly often. The feeling was almost equally common among boys in grades 8 and 9 of basic education, general upper secondary schools and vocational institutions (77–81%). Fewer girls of the same age felt the same way (62–69%). — Indicators describing the well-being experienced by children and young people by gender and school level in 2025, %.

Tables

Background information

Description of statistics

Statistics Well-being of children and young people are based on the results of the School Health Promotion study in 2006-2025. The next data collection of the School Health Promotion study will be carried out in 2027.

The information is collected from

students in grades 4 and 5 of basic education,
students in grades 8 and 9 of basic education,
1st and 2nd-year students of general upper secondary schools and vocational institutions.

The data is collected anonymously. Children and young people fill in an electronic questionnaire at school during a lesson.

The School Health Promotion study produces monitoring data every second year on the perceived health and well-being of children and young people, and their lifestyle, schoolwork and studying. The data can be utilised in the health promotion activities for children and young people and their families. It can also be used in the development of teaching and social and health care services.

Source

Lasten ja nuorten hyvinvointi – Kouluterveyskysely 2025
Välbefinnandet bland barn och unga – Enkäten Hälsa i skolan 2025
Well-being of children and young people – School Health Promotion study 2025

Statistical report 46/2025, 17.9.2025. THL.