Provides a brief overview of the Finnish educational system and examines the effects of family educational and socioeconomic background on access to and success in higher education. Data on 1985 and 1990 secondary school graduates and young adults indicated that children tended to aim at the same sort of education and jobs as their parents. (MDM)

At a time when many countries are slowing expansion, Finland continues to provide for growth in funding, particularly research, until 1991. Pressures for reform include the growing number of students seeking higher education, the need for highly educated manpower, and pressure for international comparability of degrees. (MSE)