A customer receives job search guidance at a Helsinki employment services office. Access to essential public services in Finland is becoming increasingly digital. Photo: Markku Ulander / Lehtikuva
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Access to essential public services in Finland is becoming increasingly digital, but growing reliance on online platforms is leaving behind those without smartphones or internet access. Recent government cost-cutting measures risk making the situation worse, experts warn.
Almost every aspect of daily life, from banking and shopping to health care and official documentation, is now handled electronically. For most people, this has made routine tasks faster and more flexible. But for a growing minority, the shift is creating new barriers.
Digital exclusion is emerging as a significant form of social marginalisation. While often associated with older age groups, the phenomenon affects a broader range of people, including those with disabilities, learning difficulties, low income, or poor internet coverage, particularly in rural areas.
According to Statistics Finland’s most recent figures from 2021, smartphone ownership drops sharply with age. Among people aged 65 to 74, about 75 percent own a smartphone. Among those over 74, the figure falls well below half. Because smartphones now serve as the main access point for digital services, not having one usually means no access at all.
Geography also plays a role. The availability of in-person help and guidance varies by location, and rural areas often offer fewer alternatives to digital interaction. This leaves some residents effectively locked out of basic services.
The government’s latest cost-saving programme places more pressure on digital channels, reducing support for traditional face-to-face or phone-based services. As a result, people without digital access often face higher fees for paper bills, service by post, or in-person appointments. Meanwhile, discounts and deals are frequently offered only to users of smartphone apps.
While the majority of Finns benefit from digital convenience, the lack of alternatives for those excluded from online systems creates an uneven landscape. For many, digital exclusion also translates into financial exclusion, with daily life becoming more expensive and more difficult to navigate.
Officials and advocacy groups are calling for guarantees that services remain available in non-digital formats for those who need them. The issue, they argue, is not just one of fairness but of equal access to citizenship.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
