Vähäosaisimpien

Vähäosaisimpien is a Finnish term used in social policy and public discourse to denote the most disadvantaged groups in society. It is the genitive plural form associated with the adjective vähäosainen and the superlative vähäosaisimmat, meaning “the most underprivileged.” The phrase is used when discussing policy aims, research, or statistics that focus on those facing the greatest barriers to income, health, education, housing, or social participation.

In practice, references to the vähäosaisimpien groups often cover those with low income or wealth, long-term unemployment, disability, minority status, and children in poverty. The concept emphasizes vulnerability and the need for targeted measures to reduce inequality, improve access to services, and prevent exclusion. The term is common in Finnish public administration, welfare research, and non-governmental organizations, and is typically contrasted with broader categories like koko väestö (the entire population) or syrjäytyneet (socially excluded) in discussions.

Etymology: The word combines the root idea of 'vähä-' meaning few or small with the notion of sharing or participation, expressed in Finnish morphology through the form vähäosaisimmat, and the genitive plural ending -ien to yield vähäosaisimpien in contexts referring to possession or association, such as vähäosaisimpien tarpeet or vähäosaisimpien ryhmien oikeuspalveluihin.