Elinkeinot

Elinkeino, in Finnish, refers to a line of business or livelihood—what people or organizations do to earn income. Elinkeinot (the plural) denote the range of economic activities that form the basis of income for individuals, households, communities, or a region. The term is used both in everyday language and in statistical and policy contexts to describe how the economy is organized around production and services. It covers activities across the main sectors and includes informal or small-scale work as part of livelihoods.

In practice, elinkeinot are often discussed in terms of sectors or industries. The broad categories typically align with the primary sector (for example agriculture, forestry, fishing), the secondary sector (manufacturing and construction), and the tertiary sector (services). In statistics and regional planning, elinkeinot help classify and analyze employment, output, and development opportunities by industry.

Economic policy and regional development frequently use the concept of elinkeinoelämä or elinkeinojen kehittäminen to describe efforts aimed at promoting business activity, entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment. Understanding the elinkeinorakenne of a region helps policymakers identify strengths, vulnerabilities, and potential diversification needs to support a resilient economy.

Historically, elinkeinot reflect the structural changes of an economy. In Finland and similar contexts, shifts from resource-based and heavy industry toward services and knowledge-intensive activities have influenced regional strategies, education, and infrastructure. The word itself is formed from elinkeino (livelihood or economic activity) with a plural suffix, signaling the collection of activities that constitute an economy.