toimeentulon

Toimeentulo is a Finnish term meaning livelihood or means of subsistence. It refers to the level of income and resources a person or household needs to maintain a basic standard of living, including access to food, housing, clothing, healthcare, and other essential costs. In Finnish public policy, toimeentulo is used to describe both the personal ability to secure living standards through work and the social safety net that supports those with insufficient income.

Several components contribute to an adequate toimeentulo. Earned income such as wages, social security benefits (including pensions, unemployment benefits, sickness allowances, and family benefits), housing allowances, and, when necessary, other government or municipal support, all factor into the overall level of livelihood. The term also features in policy and legislation as an objective—“toimeentulon turvaaminen” means securing an appropriate livelihood for residents. A specific instrument of last-resort assistance is “toimeentulotuki” (income support), designed to cover essential costs not met by other benefits.

It is used in academic and policy discussions on poverty, inequality, and the adequacy of the welfare state. While the concept is closely associated with Finland and Nordic welfare models, general ideas of a minimum living standard exist in many welfare regimes. Debates around toimeentulo address questions such as whether current benefits provide sufficient subsistence, the impact of housing costs, and the potential need for reforms to ensure a robust safety net.