Maaseutu

Maaseutu is a Finnish term referring to rural areas outside the urban centers, including countryside communities, farmlands, forests, and small villages. It encompasses the social and economic life of these regions, where agriculture, forestry, and related activities have traditionally been the backbone of livelihoods, complemented by small businesses and services tailored to local needs. Maaseutu also highlights the natural and cultural landscapes that characterize many parts of Finland, as well as ongoing efforts to maintain biodiversity and sustainable land use.

Geographically, Finland’s maaseutu covers a substantial portion of the country, but population density is low and settlement is often dispersed. Demographic trends in rural areas have included aging populations and migration of younger people to cities, which has driven policy attention to renewal, diversification, and infrastructure development.

Policy and governance for maaseutu are largely intertwined with Finland’s rural development framework under the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The Maaseutuohjelma (Rural Development Programme) for Finland funds initiatives that improve the competitiveness of agriculture and forestry, promote sustainable land use, support diversification of rural economies, and foster climate resilience. Programs are implemented through national authorities in collaboration with regional bodies, including the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY-centres). Initiatives commonly support farm modernization, non-agricultural diversification, broadband expansion, energy efficiency, and protected or enhanced natural and cultural resources in rural areas.