Study title

Immigrants in Southeast Finland 2003

Dataset ID Number

FSD2541

Persistent identifier

urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD2541

Data Type

Quantitative

Authors

• Rouhiainen, Vesa (University of Helsinki. Ruralia Institute, Mikkeli)

Abstract

The survey studied integration, education, employment, and language skills of immigrants living in less densely populated areas in Finland. The survey was part of the project 'Kaakkois-Suomen Majakka' funded by the European Social Fund and carried out by the University of Helsinki, Kotka Employment Office and Workers' Educational Association WEA. The project aimed to develop integration and training models suitable for small, dispersed immigrant populations.

The respondents were asked about the permanence of their stay in Finland, intention to apply for Finnish citizenship, and reasons for moving to Finland. Education/training and work experience before and after immigration to Finland were charted. Foreign language skills were studied with questions relating to the ability to speak Finnish or Swedish and other languages. Further questions investigated economic activity and occupational status of the respondents, factors making it difficult or easier for them to find a job, use of language skills in their work, and whether their work was commensurate with their qualifications. The respondents also evaluated the usefulness of employment office services and whether they liked their current working environment.

Integration into Finnish society was studied next. Questions covered the most important actors helping the respondents to integrate, experiences of racism or discrimination, and whether the respondents had reported the racism to authorities. Opinions on whether their municipality of residence offered enough free-time opportunities were charted. The respondents were also asked whether they participated in any voluntary/civic organisations.

Background variables included the respondent's gender, year of birth, country of origin, nationality, degree of urbanity of the municipality of residence, year of immigration to Finland, marital status, number of children aged under 18, and native language.

Keywords

employment; employment history; immigrants; language skills; social integration

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Equality, inequality and social exclusion (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Employment (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Individual datasets

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (B) available for research, teaching and study.

Data Collector

• Rouhiainen, Vesa (University of Helsinki. Ruralia Institute, Mikkeli)

Data Producers

• University of Helsinki. Ruralia Institute, Mikkeli
• University of Helsinki. Palmenia Centre for Continuing Education
• Kotka Employment Office
• Workers' Educational Association WEA

Time Period Covered

2003

Collection Dates

2003-06 – 2003-08

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland, Southeast Finland, Southern Savonia, Kymenlaakso

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

People aged 15-65 living in the Southern Savonia or Kymenlaakso regions in Finland and whose mother tongue was other than Finnish or Swedish

Time Method

Cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Probability: Simple random

The sample of 1500 immigrants (i.e. persons whose mother tongue was not Finnish or Swedish) living in Southern Savonia or Kymenlaakso was randomly drawn from the population register of Finland. The questionnaire was available in three languages: Finnish, English and Russian. 364 adequately filled in questionnaires were returned.

Collection Mode

Self-administered questionnaire: Paper

Research Instrument

Structured questionnaire

Response Rate

24

Data File Language

Downloaded data package may contain different language versions of the same files.

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: Finnish.

FSD translates quantitative data into English on request, free of charge. More information on ordering data translation.

Data Version

3.0

Completeness of Data and Restrictions

Information on the respondents' municipality of residence has been aggregated into a statistical grouping of municipalities. The grouping is based on the degree of urbanisation.

The questions 6, 13, 23, 25, 31, 35, 36, 39, 40 and 41 are not included in the archived data.

Weighting

There are no weight variables in the data.

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Rouhiainen, Vesa (University of Helsinki): Immigrants in Southeast Finland 2003 [dataset]. Version 3.0 (2018-07-19). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD2541

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

FSD has not been informed of any publications related to the data.