Persons with student loan debt and amounts of debt

NIT138A

Theme

Students

Data content

This report shows the number of persons with student loan debt, the volume of government guaranteed debt, and the average amount of debt. The data are presented by calendar year, school year and type of loan. Banks provide regularly updated information to Kela about the loans.

Persons with student loan debt are those holding outstanding student debt at the end of the reference period. The volume of student loan debt is shown in euros and is current to the end of the reference period (31 July and 31 December). The level of educational institution is determined by reference to data for the last month of financial aid.

The information presented under 'Region' is based on the municipality of permanent residence of the persons with student loan debt, as reported by the population data system. In the annual statistics, it refers to the municipality of permanent residence at the end of the year, while in the statistics compiled by academic year it pertains to the municipality of permanent residence at the end of the autumn term (31 December) of the relevant academic year.

In the annual statistics, the age of persons with student loan debt is recorded based on age at the end of the year, while in the statistics compiled by academic year it is defined as the age at the end of the autumn term (31 December) of the relevant academic year.

Only one type of loan at a time can be selected for analysis. The totals for debt holders by type of loan do not add up because a single person may hold debt from each category.

Variables and classifications

• Time period (Year, School year)
• Region
• Sex
• Age group (16–19 years, 20–24 years, 25–29 years, …, 50–54 years, over 54 years)
• Educational institution category
• Type of loan
• Amount of debt
• Changes in amount of debt

Statistical reference period

Data available starting from year 2006 and from school year 2005/2006.

Updating frequency

The annual data are updated on 20 April, the school year data on 20 October.

Data source

Statistical data sourced from the student financial aid system administered by Kela and student loan data provided to Kela by banks. Complete (non-sample) data sets are used.

Additional information

Additional information on student loans:
www.kela.fi » Our services » Students » Financial aid for students » Student loans.
More statistical data on student loans and financial aid for students:
www.kela.fi » About Kela » Statistics » Statistics by topic » Financial aid for students.

Contact information

Kela, Statistical Information Service
Email: firstname.surname@kela.fi