A major Finnish mortgage lender has assessed housing market credit risks across all municipalities. The evaluation placed Helsinki and Pirkkala in the top A+ category.
Eleven municipalities received the highest rankings. Espoo, Kempele, Lempäälä, and Tampere achieved A-class status. Kangasala, Kauniainen, Kirkkonummi, Naantali, Oulu, Turku, and Ylöjärvi followed with A- ratings.
Many suburban areas performed well alongside growing cities. Vantaa dropped to BBB class, though its Tikkurila district maintained an A rating due to strong investor interest.
Top-rated areas share strong population growth and higher-educated residents, according to the lender's chief economist. These regions also have larger proportions of young people and young women.
Central Finland, Eastern Finland, and Kainuu face the highest housing market risks. The rating scale ranges from AAA to D.
This year's assessment included flood risks from natural waters and stormwater. Extreme weather events make financiers and property owners increasingly concerned about heavy rainfall flooding.
Home prices are expected to decline by 1.5 percent this year. Some signs of price increases have emerged in Espoo, Tampere, and Oulu. Next year could bring two percent growth, with the capital region potentially reaching three percent.
The rankings reveal a clear urban-rural divide in housing market stability, with prosperous regions concentrated around growth centers while peripheral areas struggle.