According to a recent survey, Finns with higher education and high income are more positive about NATO membership than representatives of lower social strata, Suomenmaa reports. At the same time, the majority supports the abolition of the demilitarized status of the Alands, and 85% of respondents consider the alliance to be a "deterrent to Russian aggression."
As many as 82% of Finns believe that Finland should be ready to defend another NATO country if it is attacked. This figure is higher than in the survey of citizens of other NATO member countries for April-May 2022 (an average of 67%).
The report of the research project "Dynamic Support for Security and Defense Policy" (Turvallisuus- ja puolustuspolitiikan dynaaminen kannatus, NATOpoll), funded by the Kone Foundation, describes the views of Finns on NATO and Finland as a member of NATO.
According to a recent survey, the majority of Finns also support the abolition of the demilitarized status of the Aland Islands (58%) and the extension of military duty to women and representatives of other genders (53%).
In turn, nuclear weapons are treated sharply negatively in Finland. 61% oppose allowing the transportation of nuclear weapons through Finland, 77% opposed the deployment of nuclear weapons on the territory of Finland.
Finns especially strongly expect traditional military protection from NATO. 85% of respondents consider NATO a deterrent to Russian aggression. NATO is also seen as a guarantor of collective defense and security. Other tasks of the alliance are considered as less important. For example, the fight against terrorism is considered a NATO task by only slightly more than half of the respondents.
According to the results of the study, membership in NATO still enjoys the confident support of Finns. 81% of respondents would support Finland joining NATO if the vote were held now. Only 11% would vote against.
The attitude towards NATO is different among representatives of different social classes. People with higher education and high income are more positive about NATO membership than representatives of lower social strata.
The survey was conducted by Taloustutkimus from June 8 to 19. Just under 2,900 Finns participated in the study. The margin of error is approximately 1.8%. The research group is headed by Hanna Wass, Associate Professor of General Political Science at the University of Helsinki.