Search

21.5.2025 | The employment rate of registered nurses and practical nurses is high, with more than 90 per cent of graduates finding work in the social welfare and health care sector. Unemployed nurses cannot be relied on to respond to the future labour shortage in the sector. People who have sought employment in other sectors represent the most significant resource of unutilised workforce. Some relief can also be provided by pensioners for whom working is increasingly common.

15.2.2023 | As international recruitment becomes increasingly common in the healthcare and social welfare sector, it is important to ensure that employers have sufficient competence to manage recruitment responsibly. Responsibility recommendations prepared to support recruitment promote consideration of ethical aspects and combat risks of labour exploitation.

29.11.2023 | This autumn, the revised Labour Force Barometer focuses on the future prospects of the technology industry and the social welfare, health and wellbeing sectors. The greatest shortage of labour is in the health and social services sector, where skilled workers are needed for the care of older people, in particular. The outlook for the technology sector is expected to improve after next summer.

24.3.2020 | On 23 March 2020, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health decided that, under current emergency conditions related to the coronavirus pandemic, it is justified to take into use the medical supplies and protective equipment stored in the state emergency stockpiling.

3.4.2020 | In the coronavirus situation, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health urges the municipalities and social welfare units to pay special attention to appropriate action and prevention of the coronavirus in housing service units providing 24-hour care.

28.12.2023 | The aim is to accelerate and streamline the administration of vaccines and to alleviate the shortage of healthcare personnel. The amendments that are being circulated for comments would allow dentists, senior pharmacists, pharmacists, practical nurses and biomedical laboratory scientists to administer vaccines. The amendments would also make it easier to organise vaccination at pharmacies’ health service points.

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.

9.9.2021 | The budget proposal of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government for 2022 builds sustainable growth for the future in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. The budget proposal aims to support post-pandemic recovery, accelerate investments, enable environmentally sustainable growth and increase the availability of skilled labour. The goal is to safeguard people’s wellbeing and to ensure favourable conditions for sustainable economic growth in the long term.

19.10.2021 | Policy Guidance on AI for Children, developed by the United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF in partnership with Finland, was piloted by companies and public sector operators around the world during 2021. The second version of the guidance will be drafted on the basis of the results of the piloting and published in November 2021.

8.4.2020 | The Government has reached agreement on the second supplementary budget proposal for 2020 and the General Government Fiscal Plan for 2021-2024. The second supplementary budget proposal focuses on the costs caused by the coronavirus epidemic. In the administrative branch of the Ministry of Education and Culture, appropriations are proposed for alleviating the financial distress of actors in the culture and sport sectors, among other things.

22.12.2020 | On 22 December, the Finnish Government issued a decree on vaccinations, which is needed to deploy the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Finland. The programme will use vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 that have been granted marketing authorisation in the European Union. It will be deployed once vaccines arrive in Finland. The decree will enter into force on 23 December 2020. Vaccination for COVID-19 is voluntary.

3.4.2020 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health emphasises that, even under emergency conditions, mu-nicipalities must ensure social welfare and healthcare clients’ right to have access to services based on their individual needs. The right applies to all groups of people equally, including people with disabilities. The same principle applies to intensive care.

24.2.2025 | Finland has been active in responding to Ukraine’s need for assistance. Finland has delivered more than 100 vehicles to Ukraine through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The latest consignment of 16 vehicles was delivered during the first weeks of February. Finland has also delivered more than 400 truckloads of civilian material assistance to Ukraine through the EU mechanism.

16.12.2019 | (Check against delivery)

8.4.2020 | The Government is committed to protecting people’s wellbeing and the ability of businesses to cope during the coronavirus crisis in Finland, with as few detrimental human and economic consequences as possible. With the agreement reached here, the Government is supporting people’s health and livelihoods, improvements in the situation for municipalities, business activity, rural businesses, culture and sports.