Finland’s Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has published its long-term vision for how the country’s health and social services should evolve by 2040. The aim is to secure services that remain effective, fair and financially sustainable as demographic and technological pressures grow.
The vision underlines a key point: the system cannot offer everything to everyone. Instead, services will need to be directed according to need, ensuring people receive support in the right place at the right time.
Officials also expect technology and data to take on a bigger role, with patient information following individuals across services to improve continuity of care. Digital tools, already part of the system, are set to expand further.
The government also wants people to have a stronger voice in decisions about their care. The goal is that “the customer participates in decision-making and monitoring concerning his or her services,” while the availability, quality and timeliness of care remain protected.
A roadmap designed to outlast political cycles
The 2040 vision is intended to guide reforms across multiple government terms. It outlines the system’s main challenges — fragmented resources, complex guidance and gaps in continuity — and presents 15 proposals for improvement.
This comes just three years after Finland launched its major health and social services reform. Officials say that long-term development is essential.
“The reform of health and social services was prepared for over a decade, but its practical implementation is still in its early days. The healthcare and social welfare 2040 vision provides guidelines for the continued development of the reform,” says Director of Strategy Pasi Pohjola.
Making deliberate choices
“Healthcare and social welfare of the future cannot be everything for everyone. We need to have the courage to make choices so that the system remains controlled and sustainable, and is guaranteed to be effective for those who need it,”
says Permanent Secretary Veli-Mikko Niemi.
He notes that long-term change requires collaboration: “Healthcare and social welfare cannot be changed overnight. It requires commitment, continuous dialogue and a common direction that spans multiple terms of government.”
Information that moves with the patient
A central goal is a shared information system that supports smoother care pathways.
“In 2040, information will move with people: a shared information system will identify needs and support smooth care regardless of time and place,” Pohjola says. He adds: “This is an invitation to a discussion. The aim of the vision is to build a shared view of how, and by what means, we will safeguard wellbeing, health and equal services in a changing world.”
Looking beyond the current evaluation
The vision complements the ongoing external evaluation of Finland’s health and social services reform, expected later this year. Together, they set the basis for the next steps in development.
Officials stress that reforming health and social services is a decades-long process. They propose continuing the work through a parliamentary approach to maintain stability and fairness as the system evolves.
