While slightly below 2023’s record high of 8.7 million, the 2024 attendance reflects the sustained popularity of museums throughout the country. More than half of museum sites (53.4%) reported a rise in visitor numbers, with many breaking personal attendance records. Notably, Forum Marinum in Turku surpassed its own record for the third consecutive year.
The latest data, compiled by the Finnish Heritage Agency, also shows the economic impact: €39.5 million was generated through admission fees, €4.7 million was invested in new acquisitions, and 804 new exhibitions were launched.
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A noteworthy trend emerging from the data is the shift in exhibition strategy, as highlighted by Kimmo Levä, Director General at Finnish National Gallery. Over the past decade, museums have reduced the number of exhibitions by about 25%, while the average cost per exhibition has doubled. Levä proposes that this indicates that museums are prioritising fewer, higher-quality exhibitions aimed at enhancing visitor experience and boosting ticket revenue.
