Finland is the world’s happiest nation – and I want to keep it that way, says prime minister

Equality, a well-funded training system and a powerful welfare state are the secret to the success of the world’s happiest nation, in accordance to Finland’s prime minister.

In a uncommon interview with international media, Sanna Marin – who briefly turned the youngest world chief when she turned prime minister of the Nordic nation in 2019 at the age of 34 – mentioned Finland was dedicated to preserving its beneficiant welfare state in an “environmentally sustainable way”, and noticed the growth and export of inexperienced expertise as the key to its future prosperity.

Marin mentioned the nation “wanted to do better when it comes to equality”, after being named the happiest nation in the world in April by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, which asks individuals to price their contentment on a 10-point scale.

Marin rode a wave of recognition throughout the pandemic for her assured administration of the disaster; in the nation of 5.5 million individuals, solely about 1,300 have died from the virus. But cracks inside her five-party coalition – all headed by feminine leaders – are starting to present.

A ballot final week by Finland’s nationwide public broadcasting firm YLE confirmed the opposition liberal-conservative National Coalition celebration as the hottest celebration adopted by the right-wing populist Finns celebration, with Marin’s Social Democrats in third place.

In current weeks, she has confronted down a speculative vote of no-confidence from opposition events searching for to shut the 800-mile border to asylum seekers, after Belarus launched what the EU condemned as a “hybrid attack” by sending asylum seekers to the borders of Poland, Latvia and Lithuania. But Marin mentioned there was no drawback at the Finnish border.

“We have to say this is not acceptable. We’re condemning the actions of Belarus. But at the same time we have to make sure that people’s human rights are respected in this situation,” she mentioned.

Asked if she thought future governments would proceed to push for equality, regardless of the disparity between her liberal authorities and extra right-wing opposition events, she mentioned: “I think so. Because it’s work that’s ongoing. We have always worked for equality in Finland, and I think it’s also important in the future, and not only the equality of men and women, or the genders, but also the equality of minority groups in society.

“We have to make sure that structures don’t act as barriers to people. So there are many things to do.”

A current legislative flurry noticed training made obligatory till the age of 18. A brand new parental go away system that is anticipated to come into impact subsequent August will enhance the time allowed to be utilized by fathers from 54 days to a minimal of 97 days.

“The idea would be that mothers and fathers would spend the same amount of time at home with their small children, so that both can have the same opportunities in their career, but also so that we can [narrow] the gender pay gap,” mentioned Marin.

Marin additionally reiterated her dedication to ending homelessness in Finland, the place the Housing First method has helped cut back avenue homelessness, and goals to get rid of it by 2027.

It’s a mannequin that has attracted consideration from UK politicians. But funding for 3 pilots on this nation primarily based on Housing First launched in 2018 is set to run out subsequent yr, and MPs have warned that they now face a “cliff-edge of support”.

Marin mentioned long-term funding in Housing First was essential progress, however that there was nonetheless work to do.

“There are still people without homes, and we still have problems, especially in the bigger cities. But we have also made progress,” she mentioned. “The Housing First model is a very important one, but of course we also need solutions from the healthcare system, from the social security system, and employment. We have to make sure that we’re treating people as whole individuals.”

Finland has pledged to grow to be carbon impartial by 2035, 15 years forward of the EU goal. Marin mentioned that whereas local weather change was the greatest problem dealing with the nation, it is also “a big opportunity” for Finnish corporations.

“We want to make the transformation in a way that actually benefits ordinary people,” she mentioned. “Because if we don’t get people on board, then there’s nothing we can do.”

A dedication to a fairer and extra equal society would proceed the work of “many generations” of politicians, added Marin, who is herself from a low-income background.

“The biggest issue, of course, is that they have built a welfare society in Finland: that people like me, coming from quite a modest background, have had the opportunities in life to go to study, to go to university, to have a chance in life to make their own future,” she mentioned.

“So I think all the decisions, the hard work that people before me have done to build our society is important – the real work to be done now is to make sure that we continue to promote equal opportunities.”

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