What drives student wellbeing in the Nordics – Insights from the Student Living Monitor

Content:

• Summary: A good average for the Nordic countries
• 1. First-choice accommodation linked to higher wellbeing
• 2. Improvements in supporting non-traditional students
• 3. Money matters: Financial strain lowers student mental health
• 4. Low knowledge of where to turn for mental health support
• 5. Communal spaces key to reducing student loneliness
• 6. The road ahead

Summary: A good average for the Nordic countries

The Nordic countries consistently report mental health scores that very slightly outperform the European average of 58.08, with Denmark leading in student wellbeing. For 2025, the Nordic average is 58.37 and the total Nordic respondents are 5,200.

 

Table 1: MHI-5 Scores 

Country	2023	2024	2025	Dif. 2023-2025
Denmark	59.7	60.24	62.63	+2.93
Sweden	N/A	59.8	56.72	-3.08
Iceland	53.24	54.32	56.49	+3.25
Finland	52.06	57.83	59.31	+7.25

 

Table 2: Wellbeing Net Promoter Scores

Country	2023	2024	2025	Dif. 2023-2025
Denmark	-22.57	-28.13	-24.13	-1.56
Sweden	N/A	-16.1	-34.97	-18.87
Iceland	-32.82	-35.84	-30	+2.82
Finland	-7.14	-12.66	-9.91	-2.77

 

The report does not include Norway due to low response rate.

 

1. First-choice accommodation linked to higher wellbeing

Students who secured their first-choice accommodation consistently reported higher wellbeing across all Nordic countries in 2025, with a weighted average MHI-5 of 60.05 compared to 53.6 among those who did not. This pattern was most visible in Denmark and Finland, where first-choice residents were over or at the wellbeing threshold of 60. Among students who did not obtain their preferred housing, wellbeing was notably lower in Iceland (49.9), the lowest in the region.

The most common reasons students did not get their first-choice accommodation were availability (50%) and affordability (29%). Those affected by availability reported an average MHI-5 of 55.7, while students who could not afford their preferred option averaged 49.7 across the Nordic region, reflecting how cost and limited housing supply has a big impact on the student living experience.

 

Table 3: MHI-5 Scores of students who did and did not get their first-choice accommodation 

Country	Students who got their first choice	Students who did not get first choice	% of students who got first choice
Denmark	63.65	55.75	65.10%
Sweden	59.58	53.57	73.40%
Iceland	55.64	49.92	75.80%
Finland	59.59	52.33	81.10%

 

What do students say:

Access to affordable housing: Living on campus has made it much easier to manage my time and my expenses since it is the most affordable option, and much cheaper than my previous off-campus housing. It is comfortable and secure, so it has reduced my stress levels significantly. – – Non-binary, Iceland, impact of accommodation on wellbeing score 9 (out of 0 to 10 scale)

2. Improvements in supporting non-traditional students

The 2025 data reaffirm patterns first observed in previous Student Living Monitor editions, showing gradual improvements in the wellbeing of underrepresented student groups in the Nordics. Students with disabilities’ average MHI-5 score was 41.8 in 2023, and has steadily improved to 46.0 in 2024 and 49.1 in 2025, marking the strongest positive trend among all groups. This suggests that ongoing accessibility initiatives and inclusion efforts within student housing are beginning to demonstrate a measurable impact.

Non-binary students also saw their wellbeing scores move upward, from 47.1 in 2023 to 49.7 in 2025. Female students reported a similar rise, reaching 58.9 by 2025 from 56.0 two years earlier, while male students remained slightly higher but steady at around 61.0. Although the gap remains, the data indicate slow but consistent progress toward more inclusive and supportive housing environments in the Nordic region.  However, the scores are well below the 60-point threshold and indicate that more work needs to be done.

 

Table 4: Student demographics and their mental health index score 

Non-Traditional Students	2023	2024	2025	Dif. 2023-2025
Female	55.97	56.59	58.88	+2.91
Male	59.26	61.12	60.98	+1.72
Non-binary students	47.11	45.42	49.7	+2.59
Students with Disability	41.81	46	49.14	+7.33

 

What do students say:

As an autistic person it’s hard to live in shared facilities with no support.
– Female, international, Iceland, impact of accommodation on wellbeing score 5

3. Money matters: Financial strain lowers student mental health

In the Nordics, students’ financial situation remains closely tied to their wellbeing. Between 2023 and 2025, those who were financially comfortable (they were able to handle their expenses or had some money left) reported an average MHI-5 score of 66.06, while students facing serious financial difficulties averaged 47, marking a 19 point difference between the two groups. Over 60% said they were struggling to manage their expenses, and nearly one in five (20.5%) described their finances as a constant source of worry. This pattern is consistent with previous years, showing that financial insecurity remains one of the strongest factors reducing student wellbeing across the Nordic region, as the stress of managing day-to-day costs continues to weigh heavily on students’ overall mental health.

 

Table 5: Financial situation and its impact on student wellbeing 

Financial Strain and Student Experience	MHI 5	% of Total Respondents
I could easily handle a major unexpected expense	69.77	14.50%
I have money left over at the end of the month	63.97	25.80%
I am just about getting by	60.15	33.10%
I am behind with my finances	52.65	6.20%
My finances are a constant worry for me	45.27	20.50%

 

What do students say:

Money woes: I constantly have to worry about my finances. There is no financial support available for unemployed international students. In the Turku area, there are no job opportunities at the moment, not even part-time cleaning jobs. All my savings have been used up very quickly.
– Male, international, Finland, impact of accommodation on wellbeing score 7*

I am a little worried because they have not yet told us how much rent will increase this year and I barely have money for saving/activities with friends.
– Female, domestic, Sweden, impact of accommodation on wellbeing score 6*

4. Low knowledge of where to turn for mental health support

The overall number of students without access to mental health services continues to rise, reaching more than 2,100 respondents in 2025. The findings show that awareness and availability of mental health resources remain low across the student population, reinforcing the need to expand and normalise access to professional support within student housing environments. The European average of not having access/knowing where to turn for support is 56.6%. The Nordics rank relatively low on this number.

 

Table 6: Percentage of students who have access to mental health services by country

Country	% lack of access or knowledge of where to turn for support
Denmark	84%
Finland	75%
Sweden	76%
Iceland	68%

5. Communal spaces key can reduce student loneliness

Communal spaces, security staff, and shared outdoor areas continue to play a key role in reducing loneliness and improving wellbeing. In 2025, 41.9% of students reported feeling lonely, with wellbeing scores around 14 points lower among those affected (51.3) compared to those who were not (65.0). This pattern is consistent with previous years and highlights the critical need for developing well-designed communal areas that foster community, engagement, and a sense of belonging.

 

	Sweden	Iceland	Denmark	Finland
Most impactful services	Student-Led Community Groups Organised Community Events On-Site Community Manager	Student-Led Community Groups Organised Community Events Security Staff Parcel Delivery Service	Security Staff Student-Led Community Groups On-Site Reception Organised Community Events	On-Site Community Manager Mental Health Services (Counselling, Helpline) Student-Led Community Groups Organised Community Events
Most impactful facilities	Gym Community Lounge / Games Area Community Kitchen Shared outdoor spaces	Study Areas Gym Community Lounge/ Games area	Gym Shared Outdoor Space Cinema	Bookable Shared Spaces Gym Study Areas Community Lounge / Games Area
Biggest stressors	Loneliness Relationships (family, friends, love & sex) Discrimination	Loneliness Discrimination Meeting people and making friends	Discrimination Loneliness Meeting people and making friends	Bullying Loneliness Getting on with the people I live with

 

What do students say:

Having a place where I can go out, interact with people, use the restaurant, cafe and other facilities helps me manage my study, stress and social life in a feasible way.
– Female, international, Finland, impact of accommodation on wellbeing score 8*

6. The road ahead

The findings from the 2023–2025 Student Living Monitor show that while the Nordic region performs slightly above the European average in student wellbeing, the margin is narrow, and the underlying challenges are significant. Students across Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Iceland continue to face financial pressures, barriers to mental health support, and persistent inequalities in wellbeing among non-traditional and vulnerable groups. Access to first-choice, affordable, and secure accommodation remains one of the most decisive factors shaping the student experience.

At the same time, the report highlights encouraging progress. Investments in accessibility, inclusive design, and supportive communities are beginning to show measurable improvements for students with disabilities, non-binary students, and international residents. Communal spaces, safety measures, and regular community-building activities consistently emerge as some of the most impactful contributors to reducing loneliness and fostering belonging.

Ensuring that every student, regardless of background, identity, or financial situation, can access stable, affordable, and supportive housing is not simply a welfare concern; it is a strategic investment in the region’s future. The Nordic model is built on equity, social trust, and human capital, and these values begin to take shape long before students enter the workforce. The Student Living Monitor makes one message unmistakably clear: when housing is secure, inclusive, and connected to community, students thrive. When it is not, even the strongest education systems cannot compensate. Strengthening the student living experience, therefore, is not an adjunct to higher education policy, it is a central pillar of maintaining the Nordics’ global edge in talent, innovation, and societal wellbeing.

Notes:

The MHI-5 serves as a globally recognised and extensively documented measure of wellbeing. It operates on a scale from 0 to 100, where scores above 60 indicate good mental health, reflecting optimal wellbeing.

Student Living Monitor (SLM): The Student Living Monitor is an annual survey by The Class Foundation to explore the connection between student happiness, experience and living environments in Europe. Engaging thousands of participants across Europe, the survey offers valuable insights into students’ experiences and provides recommendations for the sector.  The 2025 report is available here.

The Class Foundation, established in 2011, operates as a partner-based non-profit organisation with the goal of advancing the professionalism and understanding of student housing across Europe. Serving as the largest European student living eco-system, its mission centres on being the foremost think tank dedicated to the realm of student housing and experience. With research, events, collaborations and awards, The Class Foundation fosters an extensive international network comprising more than 100 complementary partners creating homes for more than 3 million students. By facilitating connections among operators, investors, policy makers, universities, service providers and student organisations, we provide a community and platform for thought leaders to the exchange high-quality information and best practices. Learn more.