Government Report on the Future

Each electoral term, the Government submits to Parliament a Report on the Future, which aims to identify issues that will be important for decision-making and require particular attention in the future. The report also serves to open up debate for the years ahead. The first Government Report on the Future was published in 1993.

The Report on the Future is drawn up in two parts. The first part deals with the ministries’ joint foresight activities, the purpose of which is to create an understanding of future developments. The second part discusses one or more key issues identified in the ministries’ foresight activities and explores possible solutions.

The report provides a basis for broader public debate and for the strategic futures dialogue between the Government and Parliament on both the ministries’ foresight activities and the key themes selected by the Government. The Orpo Government’s Report on the Future is now being drawn up in line with Parliament’s resolutions.

Part I of the Government Report on the Future was submitted to Parliament on Thursday 18 September 2025. The first part of the report is a broad-based scenario process that looks 20 years ahead and discusses how different paths of development will affect Finland and how to prepare for them. Uncertainty about the future is caused by a variety of factors, including tensions and strategic competition between great powers, risks related to the global economy, global warming and technological development.  

• Part I of the Government Report on the Future explores alternative paths of development, how they will impact Finland and how to prepare for them | press release 18.9.2025

Government Report on the Future – Analysis of the Operating Environment

The analysis of the operating environment in the first part of the Government Report on the Future discusses the geopolitical, economic, environmental, social, technological and legislative changes that will affect Finland’s future and explores their potential impacts.

The goal of the analysis is to support the strategic decision-making of the Government and all central government organisations. A shared understanding of the overall picture of the strategic operating environment supports the Government’s consistent, coherent and long-term approach to decision-making.

The analysis of the operating environment does not represent the official position or views of the Government or its ministries.

The Government published the analysis of the operating environment on 22 November 2024. The analysis will be published in English once the translation is complete.

The second part of the Report on the Future

The second part of the Report explores a key theme selected by the Government. In this part of the report, the Government can formulate policy guidelines and highlight the issues it considers most important for further consideration. A political steering group has been appointed for the report.

The report can be used to support risk management, preparedness, situational awareness and decision-making by the Government and its ministries more broadly, and as a tool for identifying research needs.

The preparation of the report creates a proactive operating culture and strengthens the capacity to operate in an increasingly fragile and complex world.

The second part of the Government Report on the Future will be submitted to Parliament during the spring session in 2026. The spring session of Parliament runs from February to June.