Regional Inequality Rampant in Provision of Basic Services

With an estimated three out of four municipalities unable to meet basic service requirements, many inhabitants live amidst the disintegration of services, finds a basic services assessment published by regional governments on Tuesday. Those bearing the brunt of the inequality are children and the elderly.

Savings programmes across the country have for example led to a disparity in social services available for children.

Oulu Municipal Governor and author of the report Eino Siuruainen says some regions just don't have the resources to provide needed services.

"At some point one has to move -- services just aren't available everywhere for the elderly," says Siuruainen.

Reforms to Finland's constitution in the year 2000 intended to ease citizens' access to basic services, irrespective of home municipality. The results, however, point to an increasingly unequal distribution of services. The situation looks particularly bleak for those living in sparsely populated areas.

Complaints launched over basic services often concern social welfare and health care services, schools, the police, as well as fire and rescue services.