Plastic waste exports in Finland
Finland: Plastic waste exports was 24,903 tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
24,903 tonnes
World rank
28th
of 167 countries
All-time high
37,599 tonnes
in 2009
All-time low
0 tonnes
in 2019
Years of data
37
1988–2024
Plastic waste exports in Finland, 1988–2024
Source: United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2024, plastic waste exports in Finland stood at 24,903 tonnes.
That represents a change of down 26.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in Finland peaked at 37,599 tonnes in 2009 and was at its lowest, 0 tonnes, in 2019.
Finland ranks 28th of 167 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Plastic waste exports in Finland, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 3,840 tonnes | — |
| 1989 | 3,390 tonnes | -11.7% |
| 1990 | 2,202 tonnes | -35.0% |
| 1991 | 1,809 tonnes | -17.9% |
| 1992 | 1,223 tonnes | -32.4% |
| 1993 | 1,289 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1994 | 2,613 tonnes | +102.7% |
| 1995 | 1,406 tonnes | -46.2% |
| 1996 | 1,428 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1997 | 1,992 tonnes | +39.5% |
| 1998 | 1,907 tonnes | -4.3% |
| 1999 | 2,313 tonnes | +21.3% |
| 2000 | 4,598 tonnes | +98.8% |
| 2001 | 4,208 tonnes | -8.5% |
| 2002 | 6,681 tonnes | +58.8% |
| 2003 | 7,166 tonnes | +7.3% |
| 2004 | 13,738 tonnes | +91.7% |
| 2005 | 24,518 tonnes | +78.5% |
| 2006 | 27,698 tonnes | +13.0% |
| 2007 | 31,355 tonnes | +13.2% |
| 2008 | 26,627 tonnes | -15.1% |
| 2009 | 37,599 tonnes | +41.2% |
| 2010 | 31,886 tonnes | -15.2% |
| 2011 | 34,881 tonnes | +9.4% |
| 2012 | 31,897 tonnes | -8.6% |
| 2013 | 30,082 tonnes | -5.7% |
| 2014 | 34,034 tonnes | +13.1% |
| 2015 | 31,045 tonnes | -8.8% |
| 2016 | 29,043 tonnes | -6.4% |
| 2017 | 26,733 tonnes | -8.0% |
| 2018 | 21,575 tonnes | -19.3% |
| 2019 | 0 tonnes | -100.0% |
| 2020 | 28,544 tonnes | — |
| 2021 | 25,822 tonnes | -9.5% |
| 2022 | 0 tonnes | -100.0% |
| 2023 | 0 tonnes | — |
| 2024 | 24,903 tonnes | — |
Finland compared with similar countries
- Finland's 24,903 tonnes is above the median for high income countries, which is 4,588 tonnes, 5.4× the median. (64 countries reporting)
- Finland's 24,903 tonnes is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 7,198 tonnes, 3.5× the median. (50 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 3,615 tonnes | 3,390 tonnes | 3,840 tonnes | 2 |
| 1990s | 1,818 tonnes | 1,223 tonnes | 2,613 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 18,419 tonnes | 4,208 tonnes | 37,599 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 27,118 tonnes | 0 tonnes | 34,881 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 15,854 tonnes | 0 tonnes | 28,544 tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near Finland
More environment data for Finland
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 3.9 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 4.25 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.986 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 2.94 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual -2.4 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate 0.3579 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is plastic waste exports in Finland?
- Plastic waste exports in Finland was 24,903 tonnes in 2024, according to United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest plastic waste exports recorded in Finland?
- The highest recorded value was 37,599 tonnes in 2009.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in Finland?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 tonnes in 2019.
- How does Finland rank for plastic waste exports?
- Finland ranks 28th out of 167 countries with data for 2024.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in Finland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 26.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Finland data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Plastic waste exports. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Amount of plastic waste a country exports to other countries, measured in tonnes per year.