Yleisvointi

Yleisvointi is a Finnish term used to describe the general welfare or well-being of a population. The word combines yleis- meaning "general" or "public" with a root related to well-being, reflecting a broad sense of welfare that encompasses economic, health, social, and safety dimensions. The term is not a fixed technical category in Finnish public policy; in practice it appears in policy discussions, social science writing, and journalism as a broad shorthand for the overall level of welfare in society rather than individual welfare.

In discussions about the welfare state, yleisvointi is pursued through a mix of public services, social protection, and redistributive policies. Indicators commonly referenced when talking about yleisvointi include income distribution, employment, health outcomes, life expectancy, education, housing, and access to care and social protection. The concept emphasizes population-level outcomes and social cohesion, rather than micro-level satisfaction or happiness alone.

Differences from related terms: hyvinvointi is often used to denote well-being at both individual and societal levels, while kansanterveys focuses more specifically on public health. Yleisvointi thus functions as a broad umbrella concept in discussions of welfare policy, social investment, and sustainable growth. Because usage varies, some writers may replace it with more common terms such as hyvinvointi or yleinen hyvinvointi.