Breakdown of general government expenditure: What do I get for the tax I pay?
The Ministry of Finance has commissioned a breakdown of general government expenditure in the form of a Tax Tree diagram. General government in Finland consists of central government, the local government sector, the Regional Government of Åland, earnings-related pension institutions and other social security funds.
The Tax Tree shows that general government expenditure in 2011 totalled EUR 104 billion. Social security accounted for almost half of this at EUR 45 billion. Health care expenditure came to EUR 15 billion. Costs of central government, local government and social security funds administration came to EUR 12 billion, the same as education expenditure.
Taxes paid by households and businesses were the main sources of revenue.
The Tax Tree is based on statistics on general government expenditure by function. The information is internationally comparable and compiled and updated annually by Statistics Finland. The Tax Tree will also be updated each year. The graph has been designed and created by Hahmota Oy.
Inquiries:
Arvi Suvanto, Ministerial Adviser, tel. 358 2955 30221
Anita Sihvola, Director of Media and Communication Unit, tel. 358 2955 30221