Kela says the number of foreign-language speakers applying for social assistance has fallen. The trend stands out because it comes at a time when Finland’s overall population is still increasing, making the shift more visible in the country’s welfare statistics.

Social assistance is one of Finland’s core income security benefits, alongside parental allowances, the general housing allowance and pensions. Kela has not given a reason for the decline, so the background to the change remains unclear for now.