Finnish Finance Minister Riikka Purra has warned of growing pressure on the country’s public finances. The warning comes just days after the government unveiled a multi-year fiscal plan that combines increased military aid to Ukraine with domestic spending cuts.

The government’s fiscal plan for 2027–2030 was presented earlier this week. It includes cuts of €240 million to social and healthcare spending but €300 million in increased military support for Ukraine.

“The state of public finances is extremely difficult, and the debt-to-GDP ratio is approaching 90%,” Purra said in an interview with the outlet Yle on Saturday.

“We’ve been hit not only by external shocks,” she highlighted, adding that the nation struggles with high unemployment, near-zero economic growth and an aging population.”

The fiscal plan agreed by the government sets out public spending cuts and changes to household costs in welfare and healthcare. Planned savings include higher customer fees across the healthcare system, covering specialist examinations, surgeries, outpatient visits, health center and dental care services, as well as charges for storing deceased persons and determining cause of death.

Apart from providing increased military support for Ukraine, the plan also allocates additional funding to strengthen drone defense capabilities. It further sets out an ambition to gradually raise defense spending toward the NATO-agreed target.

Finland joined NATO in April 2023, following escalation of the Ukraine conflict. According to World Bank data, the country spent around 1.3–1.7% of GDP on defense prior to accession. Helsinki has since increased its defense budget, with plans to raise spending to 3.2% by 2030, bringing the nation closer to NATO’s target of 3.5% by 2035.

Finnish officials have repeatedly echoed other NATO members in claiming that Moscow remains a “permanent threat” to EU members, while increasing defense spending to counter it. Finland shares a 1,300km (800-mile) border with Russia.

The Kremlin has repeatedly rejected the claims, accusing the West of fueling Russophobia to justify a military buildup and also to divert attention from domestic problems.

https://www.rt.com/news/639111-finland-extremely-difficult-ukraine-aid/

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Finland has topped the World Happiness Rankings for the eighth year running – but the real appeal for travellers lies in the country's deeply-lived values of balance, nature and everyday contentment.

Finns tend to accept the accolade of supreme happiness, bestowed on them by the UN's World Happiness Report in March 2025 for the eighth time in a row, with a collective shrug and eye roll. But Finnish travel operators are celebrating as travellers increasingly make the connection between Finland and happiness, hoping to come and experience that Finnish brand of happiness for themselves.

However, don't expect to be greeted with howls of laughter and cheerful quips when you land at Helsinki Airport or disembark from one of the Baltic ferries in the capital's harbour. There is some truth in the perception of Finland being a no-nonsense, down-to-earth kind of nation. Generally, Finns are flattered – happy, even – to be honoured by the report's conclusions, but while graciously accepting them, they feel "happiness" isn't really the right word. Instead, "contentment", "fulfilment" or "life satisfaction" are widely considered more appropriate terms. As Finnish President Alexander Stubb recently posted on Facebook: "No one can be happy all the time, and sometimes circumstance makes it difficult. But getting the basics right – security, freedom and equality – is a good start."

But while the concept of happiness in Finland may be nuanced and culturally specific, it is deeply embedded in the fabric of daily life. Rather than seeking constant highs, the Finnish approach is rooted in balance, connection and quiet contentment – qualities that increasingly resonate with visitors. And for travellers, this state of being is not just something to observe but one to get involved with first-hand, through embracing the country's nature, sauna culture, food, sustainable design and lifestyle.  

"We see Finnish happiness as a summary of these five elements," says Teemu Ahola, director of international operations at Visit Finland, "but we don't measure or collect data to evaluate happiness as a single attraction in itself".

 https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250416-what-its-like-to-live-in-the-happiest-country-on-earth?ysclid=mofnz1nbrf736596853