A leading researcher at the Population Research Institute Väestöliitto told Ilta-Sanomat that she is deeply concerned about Finland's plummeting birth rate, calling it a "humanitarian crisis".
The decline in birth rate has been a long-term trend, with Finland recording its lowest birth rate in 2023.
According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data, there have been 300 more births in 2024 than the previous year. However, Venla Berg, lead researcher at the institute, notes that this slight increase does not signal a reversal of the declining trend.
She explained that the number of women of childbearing age varies yearly, but the overall fertility rate continues to decline. This means that on average, women are having fewer children over their lifetime than before.
Väestöliitto's surveys indicate that people in Finland ideally want about two children, but the actual birth rate is below 1.3, indicating many are unable to have children for various reasons.
"The fact that desired children are not being born is a major humanitarian crisis. I wonder what impact this will have on society, the economy, and social structures."
Berg said in the future, families will become smaller, and there will be more childless adults and elderly people without children.
The preliminary 2024 figures from Statistics Finland may be revised, with the final data to be published in April.
Fertility reimbursement discrimination
A Helsingin Sanomat editorial examines the government's proposed reform to reintroduce fertility treatments under the Kela reimbursement system, which would exclude single women and same-sex female couples from coverage.
HS reported that this week, the parliament's Social Affairs and Health Committee has supported a proposal by the Petteri Orpo-led government, which states that infertility must be caused by a medical condition to qualify for reimbursement.
Opposition parties — the Social Democrats, Left Alliance, and Greens — issued dissenting opinions on the report, arguing that the seemingly neutral grounds mask discrimination.
According to HS, critics argue that the proposal violates citizens' equality rights. The medical condition requirement is questioned because in about a quarter of infertility cases, the medical cause remains unknown, yet this wouldn’t prevent reimbursement for heterosexual couples.
Social Security Minister Sanni Grahn-Laasonen (NCP) told tabloid Iltalehti that the interpretations suggesting that the restriction was based on an "ideological choice" were incorrect.
However, MP Päivi Räsänen (Christian Democrats) has openly stated that the restriction stemmed from the demands of her party.
The HS editorial argues that reintroducing fertility treatments under Kela's reimbursement system is necessary, given declining birth rates and many struggling to conceive. But it said the government has failed to explain why some people are excluded. According to HS, making a distinction between "right" and "wrong" desires for children is both cruel and politically contradictory.
All Points North explores the professional ups and downs of trailing spouses who followed their partners to Finland. Listen to the episode via this embedded player, on Yle Areena, via Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
EBU: Erika Vikman is "too much"
Aamulehti reports that Finland's Eurovision contestant, Erika Vikman, told Swedish newspaper Expressen that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) wants to censor her performance.
"EBU has said that it is a bit too sexual. They want to cover my butt," Vikman told the newspaper.
Vikman is competing in the Eurovision final in Basel, Switzerland, with her risqué song Ich komme.
She said that EBU's issue isn't just one specific element but the overall performance — her outfit, the song’s theme, and her movements on stage.
"It feels a bit contradictory: they think my performance is 'too much,' but being 'too much' is my thing."
Vikman revealed that her outfit would be changed. In Finland's Contest for New Music (UMK), the 31-year-old pop star performed in a black latex bodysuit and detachable pants.
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