Regional Policy in Finland

This note provides an overview of Finland, including political arrangements, economic, territorial and regional issues. Finland is currently facing challenges presented by depopulation of rural areas and by an ageing and scattered population, which has a heavy dependence on public services. The country is addressing the need to lengthen the average working life of its workforce, to promote greater productivity in what is, nonetheless, a very successful economy. The note describes Finland's approach to regional policy, including its use of European Structural Funds, The note has been prepared in the context of the Regional Policy Committee Delegation to Finland, 20-23 July 2008, and gives particular focus to Pohjois-Pohjanmaa (Northern Ostrobothnia) and Lapland.