Väestörekistereiden

Väestörekistereiden is a Finnish term that translates to "population registers" in English. These registers are official, systematically maintained collections of information about the residents of Finland. Their primary purpose is to serve as a reliable source of demographic data for various administrative and statistical functions of the state and municipalities.

The most significant population register in Finland is the Population Register Centre (Digi- ja väestötietovirasto, formerly Population Register Centre), which maintains the Population Information System. This system contains data on all persons who have or have had a permanent residence in Finland, as well as foreigners residing in the country. Information typically includes names, personal identification codes, dates of birth, citizenship, marital status, and addresses.

These registers are crucial for a wide range of official processes. They are used for electoral rolls, taxation, social security benefits, healthcare services, and the issuance of official documents like passports and identity cards. The registers also form the basis for national statistics compiled by Statistics Finland, providing essential insights into population trends, demographics, and social structures. The maintenance and updating of these registers are governed by strict legislation to ensure data accuracy, privacy, and security. Access to the information within the registers is regulated, with specific provisions for who can access what data and for what purposes.