Talousyksikkö

Talousyksikkö is a fundamental concept in Finnish statistics and national accounting. It refers to the smallest unit of analysis that is economically independent and capable of engaging in market transactions. In practice, talousyksikkö often corresponds to what is commonly called a household, but the term is defined for statistical purposes and can also include other entities that function as a single unit for measuring income and expenditures.

A talousyksikkö can be a single-person household or a multi-person household sharing resources. The boundaries are determined by living arrangements and the ability to act financially as a unit, rather than by legal status. If persons share income and expenditures and act as one economic entity, they belong to the same talousyksikkö.

In Finland, talousyksikkö is used in household budgets and national accounts. Data collected at the talousyksikkö level enable estimation of income, consumption, savings, and wealth distributions, and allow comparisons over time and across regions. Statistics Finland constructs these units using surveys, registers, and administrative data in line with the European System of Accounts.

Relation to other concepts: While a talousyksikkö is closely aligned with a household, it is a statistical construct and may not coincide exactly with a legal household or with individuals. In international statistics, the term is often translated as "economic unit" or "household unit" depending on context.