Finnish immigration service (Migri) said on Friday that 50,361 people fleeing war-torn Ukraine had sought temporary protection in Finland.
Of this group, 49,405 applications were from Ukrainian nationals seeking temporary protection in Finland, while 956 were filed by citizens of other countries.
As of Wednesday this week, Migri had granted 46,194 individuals temporary protection status. Mothers and children made up the majority of those applying, accounting for 62 percent of all applications.
Unaccompanied minors have also sought temporary asylum in Finland, often staying with relatives or family friends upon arrival. A third of those seeking temporary protection since Russia invaded Ukraine have been children.
Migri in January announced that it was extending all residence permits granted on the basis of temporary protection until 4 March 2024.
The agency previously said that after living in Finland for one year, people granted temporary protection can apply for a municipality of residence as of 1 March.
This week Finland welcomed its first group of Ukrainians from reception-strained Estonia, which is struggling to cope with the influx of Ukrainian refugees. With less than a quarter of Finland's population, Estonia has so far taken in nearly as many Ukrainians as Finland.
