Integrated Europe: The Case of Finland

This chapter presents the case study of Finland, a Nordic country in Northern Europe that has performed very well on many human capital indexes and other global indexes. This chapter focuses on the education system of Finland which has been proclaimed by many as one of the best in the world due to the success of Finnish students on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). Undoubtedly, the education system in Finland has many features that are uncommon in many other parts of the world. However, the current renowned education system is not the product of these features but results from historical reforms that dates back to the eighteenth century and rests on some fundamental principles derived from the Nordic welfare system. This chapter highlights the reforms and the historical contexts of Finland’s education system, as well as the health-care system, as they form the backbone of the country’s human capital development. The human capital development lessons from Finland, Nordic welfare states, and Europe in general conclude this chapter.