Valtionhallinto

Valtionhallinto refers to the central level of public administration in Finland—the organized activity through which the state plans, formulates, and implements public policy. It encompasses the Government (valtioneuvosto) and its work, the ministries (ministeriöt), and the various government agencies (hallinnon viranomaiset) as well as independent authorities (itsenäiset viranomaiset) that execute tasks under law. The central administration is responsible for policy preparation, legislation drafting, public service provision, and the administration of state resources.

The Government, led by the Prime Minister, coordinates overall policy and directs the work of the ministries. Each ministry is responsible for a broad policy area (for example, finance, education, foreign affairs) and for supervising subordinate agencies. The civil service within valtionhallinto provides policy analysis, regulatory administration, and service delivery to citizens and businesses. In addition to ministries, independent authorities operate within the framework of the law, performing regulatory or supervisory tasks with a degree of administrative independence.

Valtionhallinto functions alongside regional and local authorities, but remains the central actor for national policy and international obligations. It administers the state budget, implements laws passed by the parliament, and delivers a wide range of public services, from healthcare and education to infrastructure and taxation. Digital government and modernization efforts are ongoing to improve efficiency and access.

Oversight and accountability are provided by democratic institutions, notably the Parliament (Eduskunta), which authorizes the budget and supervises government action. Constitutional bodies such as the Chancellor of Justice (Oikeuskansleri) and the Parliamentary Ombudsman (Eduskunnan oikeusasiamies) monitor legality and rights, ensuring that valtionhallinto operates within the law.