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18.5.2026 | The World Health Organization (WHO) will hold its 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva on 18–23 May 2026. Finland’s delegation will be led by Minister of Social Affairs and Health Wille Rydman.

8.5.2026 | The EU ministers responsible for education, youth, culture and sport will meet in Brussels on 11–12 May. Education ministers are expected to adopt a general approach on the next Erasmus+ programme and outline the role of artificial intelligence in education. Other items on the agenda include the EU Youth Dialogue, the new AgoraEU programme, and mental health in sport.

25.5.2026 | Some 17,000 children and young people shared their views on issues such as safety and security, trust and wellbeing in a pilot project aimed at strengthening the inclusion of children and young people in society and taking into account their perspectives in preparation work at the state level.

25.3.2026 | The final report of the expert group appointed by the Ministry of Education and Culture examines the decline in young people’s confidence in the future. The group presents 36 recommendations to improve the situation. The final report was submitted to the Minister of Youth, Sport and Physical Activity Mika Poutala on Wednesday, 25 March 2026.

8.5.2026 | In its meeting, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discussed the Commission communication on security threats posed by drones and the Commission’s proposal for a regulation to boost EU industry. The ministerial committee also outlined Finland’s positions for four council meetings taking place next week.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo visited Kyiv on 28 May 2025. Finland supports Ukraine On 24 February 2022, Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine in breach of the UN Charter and international law. Finland strongly condemns Russia’s military actions in...

Progress of the government action plan to combat racism The government action plan to combat racism and promote equality implements the policies set out in the equality statement issued by the Government. The selected measures are based on an asse...

8.8.2025 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes appropriations of EUR 14.8 billion for the Ministry and its branch of government for 2026. This is about EUR 475 million less than in the 2025 Budget. The funding of wellbeing services counties is not included in the appropriations for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and its branch of government. Instead, it falls under the main title of the Ministry of Finance.

26.7.2023 | The Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU will organise an informal meeting of health ministers in Las Palmas on 27–28 July 2023. Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juuso will represent Finland at the meeting. The meeting will focus on digital health and improving mental health.

18.3.2025 | Differences and disparities related to origin and ethnicity are strongly visible in various areas of children’s and young people’s lives, such as education, working life, health, wellbeing, inclusion, family life and safety. This is evident from a study by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) on the realisation of ethnic equality among people under 30 years of age in Finland.

16.2.2023 | Mental health and the development of the EU’s social dimension are among the key themes to be discussed during the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU this year. These are also among the main topics when Minister of Social Affairs and Health Hanna Sarkkinen meets the Swedish Minister for Older People and Social Security Anna Tenje and Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jacob Forssmed in Stockholm on 16–17 February 2023.

18.6.2025 | The Strategic Research Council (SRC) has decided the strategic research themes it proposes to the Finnish Government for 2026. Mikael Fogelholm, Chair of the SRC, submitted the proposal to State Secretary Risto Artjoki on 18 June 2025 at the Government Palace.

21.11.2023 | EU ministers responsible for education, youth, culture and sport will meet in Brussels on 23–24 November. Minister of Education Anna-Maja Henriksson will represent Finland in the Education Council; Minister Sandra Bergqvist is Finland’s representative in matters related to young people, sport and culture. The EU ministers will discuss a range of topics, including digital skills and digital educati...

3.3.2023 | What prevents young people from receiving timely and effective support for mental health and substance abuse problems? How could social welfare services better support young people dealing with these problems? A Policy Brief published as part of the Government’s analysis, assessment and research activities on 3 March examines the thresholds young people face when seeking mental health and substa...

29.1.2024 | A recent report compares Finns’ state of health and Finnish health services with other EU states and Nordic countries. Released by the European Commission, focus areas of the report include the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and mental health. Although Finland does well in many respects, there are challenges especially in the availability of health services.

15.11.2022 | Supporting mental health at work requires that both workplaces and occupational healthcare update their cooperation practices and are willing to learn together. As a result of the Mental Health at Work Programme, a model has now been published where mental wellbeing is promoted through cooperation between workplaces and occupational healthcare by strengthening the resources of work communities.

9.8.2024 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes appropriations of EUR 15.1 billion for the Ministry and its administrative branch for 2025. This is approximately EUR 1.2 billion less than in 2024.

30.11.2023 | The EU health ministers will meet in Brussels on Thursday 30 November 2023. The ministers will exchange views on safeguarding the EU’s open strategic autonomy in the field of health, particularly on how to ensure the availability of medicines in Europe. They will also approve conclusions on mental health. Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen will represent Finland at the meeting.

11.2.2020 | The National Mental Health Strategy includes five focus areas and will lay the foundation for the mental health policy of the coming years. The strategy was published on 11 February, when the expert group chaired by Professor Sami Pirkola submitted the strategy to Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Krista Kiuru.

3.6.2022 | Children and young people are experiencing more mental strain than before, and as a result, their need for and use of services has also increased. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted these problems, it is not the only reason for them. It is therefore necessary to gain an overall picture of the situation to find the best solutions and identify the social changes needed to help children, young people and young adults.