Perusturvallisuus

Perusturvallisuus is a Finnish term describing the baseline level of protection that ensures individuals have the means and safety needed to live with dignity. In welfare policy, it denotes the basic level of social security and safety that a society guarantees to all residents.

Its scope typically includes income security, such as unemployment benefits, sickness benefits, pensions, and social assistance; access to health care; housing support; and education. It also covers physical and personal safety through workplace and product safety standards, consumer protection, and mechanisms for disaster preparedness and emergency response. Together, these elements help prevent poverty and insecurity and enable participation in society.

Implementation and delivery are provided through a mix of statutory benefits, public services, and regulatory measures. In Finland, authorities coordinate social security schemes, health services, and social welfare to provide basic supports, while funding comes from taxes, social insurance contributions, and state budgets.

Relation to policy and debate: Perusturvallisuus is a core objective of the welfare state and is closely related to the safety net and the social protection floor concept. Debates address the adequacy and universality of benefits, targeting versus universal provision, and long-term sustainability in the face of demographic change and economic fluctuation.

Notes: The term’s exact scope varies by context; some contexts prefer "basic social security" or "basic safety." Related topics include social security, the welfare state, and social policy.