Regressiivistä

Regressiivistä is the partitive form of the Finnish adjective regressiivinen, used to describe something that is regressive or moves in a regressive direction. In Finnish, the adverbial form regressiivisesti describes the manner of action, while adjectives modify nouns (esimerkiksi regressiivinen vero, regressiivistä verotusta). The term is common in discussions of taxation, welfare, and public policy.

In economics and public policy, regressiivinen verotus refers to tax systems or policies that take a larger share of income from lower-income earners than from higher-income earners. Typical examples include certain consumption taxes and flat-rate charges that do not scale with ability to pay. The burden is often measured relative to income or wealth rather than in absolute amounts. Critics argue that regressive taxation can increase income inequality and reduce the purchasing power of poorer households, while supporters may point to simplicity and efficiency. It is contrasted with progressive verotus, where the tax burden rises with income.

Beyond taxation, the term can be used more broadly to describe policies, reforms, or social trends that are perceived to move backward or undo progress, i.e., regressive developments. In Finnish discourse the word carries descriptive and evaluative connotations, and is frequently paired with progressive to highlight opposing directions. Usage typically depends on context, and it is common to specify the domain (verotus, sosiaalipolitiikka, oikeus) when applying the term regressiivistä.