Kasvualan

Kasvualan is a Finnish term used in economic and regional development discourse to describe sectors of the economy that are expected to grow rapidly or that are considered strategically important for national competitiveness. It is not a formal industry classification; rather, it labels priority areas for investment, education, and innovation support in policy documents and regional plans.

Typical kasvualat often include information technology, software and digital services, health technology and life sciences, clean energy and sustainable technologies, the bioeconomy, circular economy, and high-value manufacturing. The exact list varies over time and by policy context.

Policy use: Governments and research institutions use the concept to guide funding programs, talent pipelines, and regulatory reforms aimed at growth, productivity, and export capacity.

Indicators used to evaluate kasvualat include employment growth, productivity, research and development intensity, startup activity, and export performance.

Because the term is broad and context-dependent, it is sometimes criticized as vague. Yet it remains a common shorthand in Finnish public discourse for sectors expected to drive future growth.