Finland sees record suspected hate crimes for 3rd consecutive year

The number of suspected hate crimes continued to increase in 2025, according to the annual report of the Police University College released on Thursday.

According to the report “Poliisin tietoon tullut viharikollisuus Suomessa 2025’” (Hate crime reported to the police in Finland 2025), the police filed a total of 1,941 reports of offenses on suspected hate crimes last year. This is the highest figure in the history of hate crime reporting, said an official press release.

The number of suspected hate crimes has increased sharply since 2021. During the past three years, more cases have been recorded than ever before during the reporting period.

“Several factors may simultaneously contribute to the increase in the number of suspected hate crimes. The increase may reflect a rise in actual hate crime, more active reporting of offences than before, or improved identification of hate motives. However, the report does not allow an assessment of which of these factors explains the increase the most,” said Jenita Rauta, Researcher of the Police University College.

The most common suspected hate crimes were cases of defamation and were motivated by ethnic or national background.

The report classifies suspected hate crimes according to motive. In 2025, the number of suspected hate crimes increased in motive categories related to ethnic or national background, religion or belief, and gender.

The most common motive was the victim’s ethnic or national background. In addition, a significant number of crime reports related to other hate motives were also recorded.

“The number of suspected hate crimes related to religion or belief increased by one fifth compared with the previous year. The number of suspected hate crimes related to gender also increased clearly. The results show that hate crime affects many different population groups,” said Rauta.

“Prejudices and divisions present in society can also be reflected in crime. Preventing hate crime requires long-term efforts to strengthen equality, inclusion and safety in everyday communities.”

Suspected hate crimes have been monitored in their current extent since 2008.