Go to content
Search

General government expenditure by function 2021

Expenditure on health and social protection grew in 2021

release

According to Statistics Finland's data, consolidated total general government expenditure was 55.6 per cent relative to gross domestic product in 2021. Of expenditure items, health and social protection grew most from the previous year. However, the share of government expenditure of gross domestic product decreased by 1.5 percentage points, because gross domestic product grew in relative terms more than expenditure.

Correction

The figures of the statistics on general government expenditure by function were corrected in database table 12a6.

Read more about the correction

Key selections

  • Consolidated total general government expenditure was 55.6 per cent relative to gross domestic product in 2021.
  • Government expenditure grew measured in euros in 2021, but the share of expenditure of GDP decreased as GDP recovered from the drop in the previous year.
  • Most of the growth in government expenditure came from health care and social protection.
  • The clearly biggest function group of general government expenditure is social protection which includes, for example, almost all pensions paid. In 2021, social protection accounted for 44.2 per cent of general government expenditure.
  • The data on local government involve greater uncertainty than usual due to data-related quality challenges.

Tables

See key statistical data in the tables.

General government expenditure by function 2021, million euro

Database tables

Pick the data you need into tables, view the data as graphs, or download the data for your use.

Updated database tables
12a6
Classifications used:
  • Sector
  • Transaction
  • Function
Reference period cycle:
year
Updating frequency:
year
Statistics:
Updated:

Future releases

Referencing instructions

General government expenditure by function [online publication].
Reference period: 2021. ISSN=1798-0828. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [Referenced: 1.5.2026].
Access method:

Related topics

National economy

Contact information

Service email
rahoitus.tilinpito@stat.fi

Inquiries primarily

Ohto Soininvaara
Senior Statistician
029 551 3046

Head of Department in charge

Katri Kaaja
Head of Department in charge
029 551 3488