Finland records highest-ever drug death toll in 2025

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Finland recorded 333 drug-related deaths in 2025, its highest-ever total and a 35% increase from the previous year, Statistics Finland said Thursday.

Statistics Finland data showed that the number of drug-related deaths increased across all age groups and genders, but in particular among younger people and women.

Sixty-four people aged 15-24 died, up 60% from the previous year. Drugs accounted for one in five deaths among people in that age group, the agency said.

The highest number of drug-related deaths was among 25-34-year-olds, with 85 fatalities, up by 12 from 2024.

Deaths among women reached a record 94, compared with 50 a year earlier. Men still accounted for most fatalities.

Most drug-related deaths involved a combination of substances. Alcohol and medications, including psychiatric drugs, were often involved alongside the drug identified as the main contributor to death.

Buprenorphine, an opioid medication used to treat opioid dependence but which is also commonly abused, remained the most common substance identified in fatal accidental drug poisonings and those where intent was unclear.

Designer drugs in the synthetic opioid category have also become more common, the agency added.

Nearly one in 10 drug-related deaths was a suicide.

Helsinki recorded the highest number of deaths at 58, followed by Pirkanmaa with 30, Southwest Finland with 28 and North Ostrobothnia with 25.

Relative to population, the highest mortality rate was in the Paijat-Hame region, at 9.8 deaths per 100,000 people.