Perusbudjetin

Perusbudjetin is a Finnish budgeting term used to describe the baseline or basic budget in public finances. In practice, the genitive form perusbudjetin appears in budget documents when referring to the contents or level of the baseline budget, for example to describe the provisions or expenditures contained within this core funding. The concept corresponds to a baseline budget that is intended to fund ongoing operations and essential services.

The perusbudjetin typically covers recurring, essential expenditures such as personnel costs, pensions, maintenance, and other fixed costs necessary to sustain current functions. It is usually distinguished from non-recurring items, one-time investments, or policy-driven changes that may require separate funding through a supplementary budget (lisäbudjetti) or other financing decisions. As such, the perusbudjetin serves as a reference point for planning and control, against which proposed changes and new initiatives can be evaluated.

Use of the term spans different levels of government in Finland, including central government ministries and local municipalities, though the exact scope and definition can vary by institution and sector. Preparation of the perusbudjetin is typically part of the annual budget process and may be adjusted for factors such as inflation, demographic developments, and policy commitments. The concept can be seen as a tool for ensuring the continuity of core services, while also inviting discussion about how funding should adapt to evolving needs.

See also: lisäbudjetti, talousarvio.