Eimarkkinoilla

Eimarkkinoilla is a Finnish term used to describe activities, decisions, or allocations that occur outside market mechanisms, i.e., not determined by supply and demand in markets. The phrase is often written as ei markkinoilla in standard Finnish, and it serves as a counterpart to markkinoilla, meaning in the markets. In academic and policy discussions, eimarkkinoilla denotes nonmarket or non-price-based processes.

Linguistically, eimarkkinoilla is formed from ei (negation) and markkinoilla (in the markets). The standard form with a space is more common in formal Finnish, but the closed form appears in some texts or headlines. The concept aligns with nonmarket mechanisms, such as planning, public provision, or regulatory allocation, where prices do not determine quantities or access.

Usage and examples: The term is used in analyses of welfare states, public services, and policy instruments to emphasize decisions guided by budgets, planning, or legal rules rather than market prices. For example, health care provided free at the point of use, or housing allocated by public authorities, can be described as produced eimarkkinoilla. Critics may argue that nonmarket allocation can improve equity but reduce efficiency, while supporters stress democratic accountability and universal access.

See also: markkinoilla, markkinatalous, markkinoiden ulkopuolella.