”We have managed the finances of Helsinki responsibly and with our focus on the long term. Helsinki is investing in quality services and responding to the increased service needs due to growth. At the same time, however, the narrower tax base is a burden on the City's investment capacity. The annual contribution margin of Municipal Helsinki was reduced by a fourth when compared to 2024. In terms of social services, health care and rescue services, Helsinki’s financial status is in line with other frugal wellbeing services counties,” Mayor Daniel Sazonov says.
Municipal Helsinki finances better than expected
According to the financial statements, the finances of Municipal Helsinki were better than budgeted for 2025.
According to the financial statements for 2025, the operating revenue of Municipal Helsinki was 1,383 million euros, which is 58 million euros above budget. The operating expenditure of Municipal Helsinki in 2025 was 3,267 million euros, which is 42 million euros less than budgeted.
However, operating expenditure was 9.8% higher than in 2024. Taking into account the employment services transferred to the City as a new task, expenditure increased by 6.4% on a comparable basis from 2024. Municipal Helsinki refers to Helsinki without the central government-funded Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division.
The result for the financial period of Municipal Helsinki was 146 million euros, which is 85 million euros above budget. This result was about half of what it was before the reform of social services, health care and rescue services.
Investment increased and continued in key areas
Helsinki invested a total of 874 million euros in service facilities and infrastructure, which is nearly 52 million more than in the previous year. Construction was focused in growth areas such as the West harbour, Kalasatama and Pasila. Completed projects included Pasila Comprehensive School and Daycare Aurinkokello, the extension of Oulunkylä Primary School and the renovation of Mannerheimintie.
In 2025, the City's cash flow from operations and investments, which is a key indicator of the economic balance of the growing city, was a negative 321 million euros. This was a weakening when compared to 2024. Helsinki funded 62 per cent of investments with internal financing.
Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division finances in line with welfare services counties showing a surplus
The City of Helsinki is the only municipality tasked with the responsibility for organising social services, health care and rescue services. The City of Helsinki Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division is funded through central government funding and client fees.
In 2025, the division's revenue was 289 million euros, which was 40 million euros more than budgeted. The budget for social services, health care and rescue services was 3,156 million. In the financial statement, expenditure was 3,074 million euros, which means that expenditure was 82 million euros below budget.
In 2025, the division's operating margin was -2,785 million euros, which was 122 million euros better than budgeted. The operating margin illustrates how much of the operating budget is covered by central government funding. In 2025, the result of the Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division was 169 million euros.
Of the regions that have strongly rebalanced their economies, the wellbeing services counties of Vantaa-Kerava and Länsi-Uusimaa generated the largest surplus per capita. Helsinki's per capita surplus was third, on a par with the wellbeing services counties of Southwest Finland and Pirkanmaa.
Helsinki prepares separate financial statements for Municipal Helsinki (the Education Division, the Urban Environment Division, the Culture and Leisure Division, the City Executive Office and unincorporated county enterprises); the Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division; and the City of Helsinki as a whole. Three separate financial statements will also be prepared for Helsinki Group: City of Helsinki Group, Municipal Helsinki Group, Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division Group. The financial statements for 2025 will be processed by the City Board on 23 March 2026 and by the City Council on 17 June 2026.