Expenditure and structural survey of general government finances – Summary
Ministry of Finance
24.03.2023
Julkaisusarja:
Publications of the Ministry of Finance 2023:22Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-367-202-4Tiivistelmä
The structures of Finland's general government finances were created in a time of more favourable demographic and economic development, and the public sector's financing base can no longer support all of the public sector's tasks. The outlook review by officials at the Ministry of Finance published in December 2022 proposed that a number of measures are needed to improve general government finances by at least nine billion euros over the next two parliamentary terms.
This expenditure and structural review is intended to help identify the purposes for which public funds are currently being used. It is also intended to provide alternative measures that could improve general government finances.
The review examines general government finances as a whole based on the premise that core public sector functions must be secured at a sufficient level. In addition to direct adjustments of expenditures, the review examines structural changes and possibilities to increase income from fees and property.
This work has resulted in a wide selection of different, partially overlapping or alternative measures to improve general government finances. The presented measures are not intended to all be implemented as such, but to support public debate and political decision-making. The effects of adjustment will ultimately depend on what measures are implemented including also what tax measures are taken.
This expenditure and structural review is intended to help identify the purposes for which public funds are currently being used. It is also intended to provide alternative measures that could improve general government finances.
The review examines general government finances as a whole based on the premise that core public sector functions must be secured at a sufficient level. In addition to direct adjustments of expenditures, the review examines structural changes and possibilities to increase income from fees and property.
This work has resulted in a wide selection of different, partially overlapping or alternative measures to improve general government finances. The presented measures are not intended to all be implemented as such, but to support public debate and political decision-making. The effects of adjustment will ultimately depend on what measures are implemented including also what tax measures are taken.