16.3% Finns face risk of poverty in 2021

A total of 894,000 people or 16.3 per cent of the household population in Finland were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2021, according to Statistics Finland.

Persons living in low income households, households with low work intensity or households that experience severe material and social deprivation are considered being at risk of poverty or social exclusion.

The number of persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion grew in 2021 especially because of growth in the number of low income households.

The number of persons in low income households increased by around 100,000 persons.

One-half of those at risk of poverty or social exclusion were only at risk of poverty, and close on one-quarter were both at risk of poverty and lived in a household with low work intensity.

In 2022, altogether 6.1 per cent of the household population experienced difficulties in making ends meet. The share grew slightly from 2021 when it was 5.9 per cent.

The number of persons at risk grew by 117,000 from 2020. A total of 777,000 persons or 14.3 % of the household population were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2020.