kustannusrasitus

Kustannusrasitus (cost burden) is a Finnish term used in economics and social policy to describe the financial burden placed on households by essential costs such as housing, energy, food, transport, healthcare, and childcare. It refers to the portion of a household’s income that must be allocated to these necessities, reflecting affordability and living standards rather than total spending.

Measurement and scope typically involve calculating the share of net income spent on a defined basket of essential expenses. Some analyses focus specifically on housing costs (rent or mortgage payments) or energy costs, while others use a broader composite of necessities. The concept emphasizes relative burden and financial stress, rather than absolute expenditure.

Context and policy relevance: Kustannusrasitus is used to assess housing affordability, energy price developments, taxation and social benefits, and the ability of households to cope with price changes or economic shocks. It helps identify groups at risk of poverty or financial strain and informs discussions on social security, welfare policies, and support programs targeting low-income households.

Data sources: National statistics agencies, such as Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), employ household budget surveys and income data to estimate kustannusrasitus. Researchers compare trends over time and across regions to monitor affordability, and international analyses may use analogous concepts under cost-burden or affordability metrics.