The Finnish welfare state has represented the tradition of Nordic welfare state model. The equality between men and women has been emphasized in all Nordic countries and for that the welfare system has been in a crucial role. In practice the state shares with all families both the expenses and the workload of having children. The development of the day care system for young children has enabled women to take widely part in working life, and about 70% of mothers of small children do it. All children under school age (7 years) have the right to municipal day care.
The basic elements in the Finnish social protection system are preventive social and health policy, social and healthcare services, and social insurance. The main aim is to safeguard people's income by prividing a comprehensive system of basic security and income-related benefits. The purpose is to guarantee a reasonable level of consumption in different risk situations. An important element in the Finnish social protection system is the comprehensive social health services it provides, as the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health emphasizes.
According to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health the ratio of social expenditure to GDP is now under the EU average. In 2003, social protection expenditure accounted for 26.9% of GDP. Social expenditure is mainly financed by employers, central government and the municipalities. The ratio of social expenditure to GDP is now under the EU average. In 2003, social protection expenditure accounted for 26.9% of GDP. Social expenditure is mainly financed by employers, central government and the municipalities.
Naturally there are many challenges the society is facing in near future. One important issue is how to take care of the elderly people. The Government started in autumn 2003 the Social Welfare Development programme which first object was the improvement of care and services for older people.
Reference:
http://www.finland.or.jp/Public/default.aspx?contentid=147099&nodeid=41292&contentlan=2&culture=en-US
