henkilötunnuksien

Henkilötunnus, also known as a personal identity code, is a unique identifier assigned to individuals in Finland. It is used primarily for administrative purposes, such as social security, healthcare, taxation, and official documentation. The henkilötunnus consists of a unique number embedded with information about the person's date of birth and gender.

The typical format of a henkilötunnus is six digits representing the date of birth (DDMMYY), followed by a separator character and a three-digit individual number. The separator indicates the person's century of birth: a hyphen (-) for 1900–1999, and a plus sign (+) for 2000 and onward. The three-digit individual number distinguishes individuals born on the same date, with odd numbers assigned to males and even numbers to females. To verify the authenticity of a henkilötunnus, a checksum character is appended.

Henkilötunnus is issued and maintained by the Finnish Population Register Centre (Väestörekisterikeskus). It plays a crucial role in ensuring accurate identification across various public and private sector services in Finland. The system enhances data consistency and security in the management of personal information.

The use of henkilötunnus aligns with Finland’s commitment to effective social and administrative functions, allowing seamless integration of personal data while safeguarding individual privacy. The system is also aligned with European data protection standards, emphasizing confidentiality and proper handling of personal data.

Overall, henkilötunnus is a fundamental element of Finland’s administrative infrastructure, providing a reliable means of distinguishing and managing individual records within the country’s civil registration system.