Finland is grappling with a decline in children’s swimming skills as drowning deaths hit a worrying peak this summer. According to the Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation (FSL), only 55% of sixth graders could swim in 2022 — the lowest figure on record — compared to 76% in 2016.
Drowning incidents spark national debate
The issue gained urgency after 28 people drowned in July, up from 16 during the same month last year. Many incidents involved children, prompting concerns from educators and public health experts. FSL Executive Director Kristiina Heinonen noted a clear decline in swimming ability among young people, linked to reduced access to affordable lessons and shifting family priorities.
Cost and access barriers to lessons
Municipal courses in Helsinki, such as those in Jakomäki and Pirkkola, cost about 46 euros for eight half-hour sessions. However, demand far exceeds supply, leaving many families reliant on private lessons priced between 200 and 260 euros per term. This gap particularly affects children without a “swimming culture” at home, said Tuuli Salospohja, the city’s sports services manager.
Salospohja highlighted that the problem extends beyond immigrant families, affecting a wide range of households. She pointed to lifestyle changes and a diminished perception of swimming as a basic civic skill.
“It is perhaps no longer seen as important as it used to be,” she said.
Pilot project tests free pop-up swimming schools
To address the skills gap, the cities of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Kauniainen, Kirkkonummi, together with FSL and FitPit Oy, launched free pop-up swimming schools this summer. Over 4,000 spots were offered, attracting many children, although cooler early-summer weather initially hampered participation.
FitPit CEO Laura Manninen described the programme as a “low-threshold” way to introduce swimming to children, noting that interest rose in the latter part of the season.
Calls for integrating swimming into school curriculum
While the pilot project showed promise, Salospohja emphasised the need for systemic solutions.
“The solution lies in schools and early childhood education. We need to get more swimming lessons and water skills there, starting from a young age,” she said.
Authorities hope that embedding swimming instruction into the national curriculum could reverse the decline and improve water safety across all communities.
