Increase in social and health spending for 2006
The MSAH’s draft budget for next year posits a 12% increase in spending, EUR 1,175 million, bringing the total budget to EUR 11.2 billion.
The budget emphasises the ministry’s implementation of the government programme for the social and health sector, which focuses on ensuring the running and availability of services, clarifying the financing of the sector and guaranteeing sufficient income security for the population.
The majority of spending, according to the budget proposal, continues to go to municipal budgets for running social and health services as well as to pensions, child benefits and sickness insurance.
The government aims to continue to develop welfare services together with local government. Overall social spending in Finland for 2006 is estimated at EUR 43,8 billion, of which the state budget comprises about a third.