Finland during the past decade has witnessed an influx of diverse people resulting in an increase of racist activities. In a recent study of 669 racist crimes identified in 2005, only twenty-five people were convicted, resulting in twelve people receiving fines. The majority of racist crimes reported are assaults on people, vandalism, defamation and threats. Seven out of ten racist crimes occur against foreigners and 85% of those instituting racist crimes are males between the ages of 15-24. Over half of crimes take place in southern Finland around Helsinki, which is where immigrants are living. Ten percent of crimes are against members of the Roma (gypsy) minority.

This survey indicates the overwhelming majority of racist crimes in Finland never result in prosecution. One can surmise that people subject to racist attacks in Finland feel unsure about resorting to courts, which represent in their minds the government.