Väestörekisteriä

Väestörekisteriä, commonly translated as the population register, is Finland’s official centralized database of information about residents. It is maintained by the government through the Digital and Population Data Services Agency and is based on national legislation governing population information. The register is designed to support the administration of public services and the delivery of government and municipal functions.

The Väestörekisteriä contains basic personal data such as name, date of birth, gender, and citizenship, along with information on residency and address history, living arrangements, and family relationships (for example parents and children). It also records life events that affect a person’s official status in Finland, such as births, deaths, marriages, and changes of name or marital status. The system tracks changes of municipality and address to ensure that people receive appropriate services and taxation, healthcare, education, and social security support.

Data in the population register are used by many authorities and organizations for identification, eligibility, and service delivery. Examples include health and social services, taxation, education, and municipal administration, as well as statistical agencies that compile demographic data.

Access to Väestörekisteriä is governed by data protection and privacy laws. Entities with a legitimate need—such as government agencies and certain authorized organizations—may access the data under strict conditions. Individuals have rights to view and correct their own information, and data processing is subject to consent, purpose limitation, and other protections under GDPR and Finnish law. The population register plays a central role in everyday administration and in the preparation of population statistics in Finland.