Bildung as a Way Forward for Finland –
A vision for higher education and research for 2040

The vision is based on the premise that education, research-based knowledge and a high level of competence build an open, competitive and prosperous.

Creative, highly educated experts will accelerate the regeneration of the nation. The proportion of young adults with higher education degrees will be raised to 60 per cent, particularly by streamlining young people’s entry to higher education. R&D expenditure will be increased to above 4 per cent of GDP over the long term. More R&D experts will be recruited and the overall level of education strengthened.

The higher education system will be boldly reformed, drawing on existing strengths, to meet the needs of society. Higher education and research will deliver higher quality and effectiveness, alongside a responsible approach to international engagement.

The vision was published on 15 June 2026. It presents a shared overview of the current situation, objectives for higher education and research by 2040, as well as recommendations for measures.

Preparation and implementation of the vision

Work on the vision began in March 2025. A broad range of actors from across the higher education and research community, as well as other stakeholders, were invited to participate in updating the vision.

Chaired by Minister Mari-Leena Talvitie, the vision was led by a steering group and supported by a parliamentary monitoring group. Stakeholder surveys, open online consultations and separate discussion events informed the preparation of the vision.

A plan for implementing the vision will be drawn up in autumn 2026.

Find more information

Public data on the vision for higher education and research 2040 available in the Gateway to Information on Government Projects.

• Bildung as a Way Forward for Finland – A vision for higher education and research for 2040 (abstract in English)
• Summary of the vision

Previous materials (in Finnish)

• Summary of feedback from the draft vision consultation round
• Draft of the vision’s objectives 30 January 2026
• Third phase stakeholder survey: summary of results
• Second phase stakeholder survey on the objectives of the vision: summary of results
• First stage stakeholder survey on the vision's situation picture: summary of results
• Background memorandum: Analysis of the drivers of change in the situation picture of the vision

Read more about the vision 2030 published in 2017