Major spike in pneumonia cases – dramatic growth in one age group in particular
The number of pneumonia cases in Finland was exceptionally high last autumn and winter, Pohjola Insurance's statistics show. The growth in cases was the most dramatic among ages 10 to 19.
The number of pneumonia cases exploded during the autumn and early winter. Between September 2024 and February 2025, claims received by Pohjola Insurance related to pneumonia grew by 247 per cent compared to a year ago.
The largest relative growth in the number of cases was among adolescents and young adults. The number of pneumonia cases has increased by several hundred per cent among ages 10 to 29. The majority of insurance claims related to pneumonia are also paid to ages under 20.
Still, pneumonia has affected all age groups, and cases have increased significantly in all groups up to age 50.
"Pneumonia cases have increased steadily throughout the 2020s, but the spike in cases last autumn and winter was exceptionally dramatic. While there is no single factor explaining the phenomenon, secondary diseases of influenza may be one underlying reason. The number of pneumonia cases has also been historically fairly low, so the surge in cases appears particularly dramatic," says Atte Erkamo, Business Lead, Personal Insurance at Pohjola Insurance.
Amount paid in claims up by nearly 300 per cent from last year
In addition to the number of claims filed about pneumonia, the amounts paid out in compensation have increased sharply. Between September and February, the amount paid in compensation for pneumonia cases was 288 per cent higher compared to the same period a year ago.
"Compensation amounts have increased proportionally even more sharply than the number of cases. In particular, paid claims related to doctor's fees and laboratory and imaging tests saw an exceptionally large increase in late 2024," says Erkamo.
The spike in pneumonia cases is visible throughout Finland, but the largest relative growth in the amount of compensation paid for pneumonia has been in the Central Finland and Satakunta regions.
According to Pohjola Insurance's statistics, claims for compensation for pneumonia are generally evenly distributed between genders and in line with the insurance portfolio. However, women and girls accounted for a larger proportion of the increase in paid claims towards the end of the year.
"It should be noted that on average, women use their health insurance policies more frequently compared to men. In the case of pneumonia, it is important that treatment is begun quickly. If you are experiencing other symptoms of pneumonia in addition to a fever, such as shortness of breath, heavy breathing or chest pain, you should immediately see a doctor," says Erkamo.
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OP Financial Group Communications, tel. 010 252 8719, viestinta@op.fi
Pohjola Insurance is Finland’s leading non-life insurer with a total of 2.5 million private and corporate customers. It provides an extensive range of non-life insurance services to private, corporate and institutional clients. Pohjola Insurance is part of OP Financial Group which is Finland's largest financial services group.