Study title

Cultural Heritage Barometer 2025

Dataset ID Number

FSD4088

Persistent identifiers

https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD4088
https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd4088

Data Type

Quantitative

Authors

• Verian
• The Finnish Ministry of the Environment
• Ministry of Education and Culture
• National Board of Antiquities

Abstract

The 2025 Cultural Heritage Barometer examined Finns' views on cultural heritage and the cultural environment. The survey explored the significance, preservation, responsibility, participation and societal role of cultural heritage in the present and the future.

At the beginning of the survey, respondents' familiarity with concepts related to cultural heritage and the cultural environment was assessed by asking how familiar these concepts were to them and what kinds of things they associated with them. In addition, the survey examined the meanings, images and phenomena that respondents linked to cultural heritage and the cultural environment. The perceived importance and significance of cultural heritage were then investigated by asking respondents to evaluate various statements. The questions addressed, among other things, how important cultural heritage was considered in respondents' own lives and families and what significance it was perceived to have for identity.

Next, views on the preservation and protection of cultural heritage were examined by asking respondents to evaluate statements related to cultural heritage and to indicate which different aspects of cultural heritage they considered important to safeguard. The questions concerned, among other things, the built environment, art, language, customs, traditions and other tangible and intangible cultural heritage. At the same time, respondents' views were explored regarding the connections between cultural heritage and well-being, sustainable development, education, tourism, the environment and societal decision-making.

The survey also examined responsibility for safeguarding cultural heritage, as well as related funding and participation. Respondents were asked about the role of different actors, such as individuals, communities, businesses, authorities and public administration, in maintaining cultural heritage. In addition, the survey explored experiences of access to information on cultural heritage, respondents' own participation and opportunities to transmit cultural heritage to future generations. Finally, respondents were asked to describe cultural heritage that was meaningful to them and to present their views on the cultural heritage of the future.

Background variables include, among other things, respondents' age, economic activity and occupational status, education, financial situation, gender, gross annual income, household composition, household size, marital status, mother tongue, political party preference, region, social class, trade union membership, and type of accommodation.

Keywords

accountability; attitudes; conservation areas; cultural development; cultural heritage; cultural identity; cultural participation; cultural planning and administration; cultural resources; natural heritage; preservation of cultural property; sustainability

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Cultural activities and participation (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Cultural and national identity (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

• Verian

Time Period Covered

2025

Collection Dates

2025-08-15 – 2025-08-22

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

Persons aged 18 and over living in mainland Finland

Time Method

Longitudinal: Trend/Repeated cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Probability: Stratified

The survey was conducted by Verian in its research panel in August 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Finnish Ministry of the Environment. A total of 2,215 people participated in the survey.

Collection Mode

Self-administered questionnaire: Web-based (CAWI)

Research Instrument

Structured questionnaire

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

1.0

Completeness of Data and Restrictions

The dataset does not include the questionnaire form.

Due to identifiability concerns, the variables for mother tongue and household size have been categorized at the FSD. In addition, the open-ended responses in the data have been reviewed, and individual observations have been removed to ensure anonymity.

Weighting

The dataset includes the weighting variable wt18pol1_12, which weights responses by the respondent's age, gender, major region, and party preference. Further information on the construction of the weighting variable is provided in the appendix.

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

Verian & The Finnish Ministry of the Environment & Ministry of Education and Culture & National Board of Antiquities: Cultural Heritage Barometer 2025 [dataset]. Data version 1.0 (2026-07-13). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd4088; URN: https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD4088

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.

Related Publications

Ympäristöministeriö. 2025. Kulttuuriperintöbarometri 2025: Tulostiivistelmä. Helsinki: Ympäristöministeriö. https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2026033024092