Kuntaseutu

Kuntaseutu is a term used in Finland to refer to a municipality, which is the basic unit of local government. Finnish municipalities are responsible for providing a wide range of public services to their residents, including education, healthcare, social services, land use planning, and infrastructure development. Each municipality is governed by a municipal council elected by the residents.

The number of municipalities in Finland has significantly decreased over the years due to mergers. This trend is partly driven by a desire to create more viable units capable of managing increasingly complex service demands and to achieve economies of scale. Despite mergers, the concept of the kuntaseutu remains central to the Finnish administrative and service delivery system. The specific responsibilities and funding of municipalities are defined by national legislation. Municipalities have the right to levy local taxes, primarily income tax, which forms a significant part of their revenue. They also receive state subsidies. The administrative structure and functions of a kuntaseutu are designed to ensure the well-being and development of its local community.