In the urban–rural classification maintained by the Finnish Environment Institute, the entire territory of Finland is divided into seven classes independent of municipal boundaries. Urban areas are subdivided into inner urban areas, outer urban areas, and peri‑urban areas. Rural areas consist of rural areas close to urban areas, rural heartland areas, sparsely populated rural areas and local centres in rural areas. 95 per cent of Finland's surface area is rural area (Figure).
Rural areas in Finland
Finland is a highly rural country, with up to 95% of its land area classified as rural. The distinctive characteristics of rural areas must therefore be taken into account in political decision-making.
The urban-rural classification
The urban–rural classification is a spatial delineation independent of municipal boundaries that makes it possible to distinguish urban areas from rural areas and to compile statistics for different area classes and their combinations. This classification has been developed on statistical squares of 250 square metres and the spatial data attached to them.
A generalised spatial databased classification of urban and rural areas has also been made at the municipal level, in which each municipality is classified based on the most predominant category of regions in the municipality of urban, rural areas close to urban areas, rural heartland areas or sparsely populated rural areas (Figure).
Local centres in rural areas
Population centres located outside urban areas.
Local centres in rural areas are smaller centres located outside the sphere of influence of cities. They consist of smaller urban‑like built‑up areas with a clearly defined centre, as well as the largest, more rural‑type parish village centres. Local centres are characterised by a structurally compact core and a role as a centre for the surrounding area. They are delineated on the basis of population size, population density, number of jobs, and land‑use efficiency criteria, which describe the extent of the settlement’s central area as well as its size and compactness both as a residential area and as an area of employment.
Rural areas close to urban areas
Areas with a rural character that are functionally connected and close to urban areas.
Rural areas that are close to urban areas are rural in character but are functionally and physically close to urban areas. They are delineated in relation to already defined urban areas. This category describes the wider functional commuting areas of cities. The regional delineation is based on potential accessibility and commuting flows directed towards core urban areas. Rural areas close to urban areas comprise various types of rural environments, including settlements, rural areas similar to rural heartland areas, and sparsely populated rural areas. The extent of rural areas close to urban areas is greatest around cities with large populations or extensive commuting regions.
Rural heartland areas
Rural areas with intensive land use, with a relatively dense population and a diverse economic structure at the local level.
A rural heartland area is either a strong primary production area or a functionally diverse, relatively densely populated rural area. The rural heartland area is located relatively far from major urban centres, as it lies outside the zone of urban areas close to rural areas. However, around small towns it may extend close to the urban area. The area is characterised by medium-sized local centres, village centres, and a relatively dense network of small settlements. Land use in the area is intensive, which is why particularly agriculture-dominated areas are identified as rural heartland areas. Areas with relatively lower intensity and sparser population may also be classified as rural heartland areas if the sectoral distribution of employment among residents is locally diversified.
Sparsely populated rural areas
Sparsely populated areas with dispersed small settlements that are located at a distance from each other. Most of the land areas are forested.
Sparsely populated rural areas are characterized by a narrow local economic structure and low population density, with forests or peatlands being the most common land-use categories. These areas are located far from major urban centers. The settlement structure is scattered, with few population centers, and there may be large uninhabited areas between them. Sparsely populated rural areas are defined as rural areas that do not meet the criteria for rural areas close to urban areas or rural heartland areas.