Poissuljetut

Poissuljetut is a Finnish term used to refer to people or groups who experience social exclusion. The word literally means “the excluded” and is used in both academic and public discourse to describe individuals who lack meaningful participation in economic, social, and political life due to structural barriers, discrimination, or personal circumstances.

In sociological usage, poissuljetut distinguishes exclusion from poverty alone by emphasizing participation and access to rights, services, and social networks. The concept covers a range of domains, including labor market engagement, housing, education, health care, and civic participation. Factors contributing to exclusion can be economic downturns, unemployment, migration, disability, ethnicity, language barriers, or stigmatization.

Within Finnish policy and journalism, the term is used to frame debates about inclusion, welfare policy, and social cohesion. It often accompanies discussions about remediating exclusion through social support, inclusive education, affordable housing, labor-market activation, and anti-discrimination measures.

Notes: Poissuljetut is not a formal category with a single fixed definition; its meaning can vary by context. In academic writing, it is commonly treated as a plural noun or as a collective concept rather than a fixed label for a particular group.