Finland ADHD medication rates for boys rise above neighbors

The proportion of boys aged 6–8 in Finland starting ADHD medication has more than doubled since 2017. According to statistics from the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela), 3.1 percent of boys in this age group began medication in 2025, bringing the total percentage of boys in this group receiving treatment to 5.3 percent.

Finland's rates are notably higher than its neighbors; for comparison, the medication rate for boys aged 5–9 was 2.7 percent in Sweden. Significant regional disparities exist within Finland. In North Karelia, the rate of boys starting medication reached 12.9 percent, whereas in Helsinki, the rate was only 2.6 percent.

Miika Vuori, a research manager at Kela, noted that while the rapid growth appears to have leveled off at a high plateau, the vast regional differences require further investigation. He emphasized the need to study variations in care pathways, availability of professionals, and non-medicinal support forms.