A central feature of welfare and social security is to provide
support to people in vulnerable situations.
One of the aims of the Finnish social security system is to ensure that people have sufficient basic security in all eventualities in life.
The Finnish social security system is made up of income security, providing financial support, and social and health services.
Income security
The aim of statutory social insurance in Finland is to safeguard people's income in a range of eventualities: having children, old age, work incapacity, sickness, unemployment and in the event of financial loss due to the death of the family provider.
Social insurance income security includes
- health insurance
- unemployment insurance
- accident insurance and
- pension insurance.
Social insurance benefits in Finland fall into two categories:
- earnings-related benefits and
- minimum benefits.
Social assistance is a last resort for individuals and families who have no other means of income.
Further information on the financing of the welfare system and expenditure is included under the section on the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and its administrative sector:
Expenditure