Ennakkotieto

Ennakkotieto is a Finnish noun that denotes information provided before the final or official outcome is known. The word is formed from ennakko- meaning “advance” or “preliminary” and tieto meaning “information.” It refers to data or statements that are not yet confirmed and may be revised.

The term is commonly used in journalism and public communication to describe provisional reports or early indications based on incomplete data. In such contexts ennakkotieto signals that the information should be treated as subject to change, pending verification or final calculations. It is also used in statistics and economics to refer to provisional figures, such as preliminary unemployment rates, inflation, or GDP estimates, which are updated when more complete information becomes available.

In practice, ennakkotieto helps prepare audiences for forthcoming results while clearly communicating uncertainty. The reliability and exact meaning of ennakkotieto depend on the source and the data quality, and organizations often include cautions about potential revisions. The plural form ennakkotiedot is common when referring to multiple pieces of provisional information.

See also: provisional data, preliminary report, preliminary results.