In Hollola, 80 percent of those who responded to the survey consider safety and 73 percent a good living environment to be a very important factor. A good apartment, family and other loved ones also emerged as significant factors in defining a good household. Family and other loved ones were considered a very important factor by 63 percent of people from Gotholle, and closeness to nature by 65 percent of respondents.
Social changes reinforce the importance of safety
- The importance of safety is emphasized in municipalities of all sizes and in the responses of municipal residents of all ages. The importance of safety has clearly increased since the survey conducted in 2020, opens the research manager Marianne Pekola-Sjöblom results.
For example, those with children and those working in the public sector emphasize safety in terms of the smoothness of everyday life, according to the survey.
- The emphasis on the importance of security reflects the global security change and the increase in uncertainty more broadly. Security consists of many factors, and municipalities play a central role in strengthening everyday safety, community spirit and the functionality of services, states the preparedness and security expert of the Association of Municipalities Ari Korhonen.
A healthy, safe and comfortable living environment is created in the municipalities
Regarding the importance of a good living environment, those who answered the survey emphasized, among other things, calmness, cleanliness and spaciousness, and also, for example, clean air and nature and the proximity of a body of water. Especially in smaller municipalities, closeness to nature is an emphasized factor, but in all municipalities the municipality's role in the comfort of the environment is significant.
Municipalities are responsible for the comfort of the environment, the development of infrastructure, and the organization and maintenance of basic services such as water supply, waste management and public transport systems.
- These factors directly affect the everyday life and quality of life of the municipality's residents, but also the vitality of the municipality and the operating conditions of business life. Municipalities work to curb climate change and adapt to it, and take care of protecting natural values and ensure the construction of a safe and healthy living environment. It's a pleasure to notice that the citizens of the municipality really appreciate a good living environment, says the director of the environmental and community unit of the Municipal Association Miira Riipinen.
Variation in research results between different ages, different genders and municipalities
Some differences in emphasis can be seen in the matters perceived as most important in municipalities of different sizes and among respondents of different ages and especially of different genders.
Gender is one of the most significant factors explaining the importance of different things in a good home county or hometown. Women emphasize more than men the importance of all the mapped issues. The most significant differences between the sexes can be seen in the importance assessments regarding a good living environment, housing, closeness to nature and public services.
A good apartment is included in the top three in municipalities with 20 to 001 inhabitants and in the largest cities with more than 50 inhabitants. Contrary to the mainstream, in municipalities with 000 - 100 inhabitants, family and other close ones have risen to the top three most important factors, in municipalities with 000 - 10 inhabitants, the third place is shared by a good apartment and family and other close ones.
In all age groups under the age of 60, the three most important elements of a good household consist of safety, a good living environment and a good apartment. Family and other loved ones are perceived as more important than good housing in all age groups over 60.
The information comes from the Municipal Corporation's Municipal Survey 2024, which was answered by approximately 10 Finns in May-June. The survey has been carried out as part of the Municipal Corporation's Diverse Municipalities Finland 500 research program and includes 2025 municipalities of different sizes and types from all over Finland. There will be more municipality-specific results from the study later.
More information on the Municipal Survey 2024: www.kuntaliitto.fi/kuntalaistutkimus2024
Research councils: Asikkala, Askola, Espoo, Hamina, Hattula, Hirvensalmi, Hollola, Hämeenlinna, Ilomantsi, Inari, Jyväskylä, Kankaanpää, Keitele, Kemiönsaari, Keuruu, Kirkkonummi, Kitee, Kuusamo, Lappajärvi, Lappeenranta, Lapua, Mikkeli, Mustasaari, Naantali, Nivala , Oulainen, Parkano, Petäjävesi, Pielavesi, Pirkkala, Pudasjärvi, Puolanka, Raasepori, Raisio, Rautalampi, Salo, Sipoo, Säkylä, Toholampi, Tornio, Turku, Vaasa, Vantaa, Virolahti, Virrat and Vöyri.
For more information:
Marianne Pekola-Sjöblom, Research Manager of the Municipal Association
+358 50 337 5634, Marianne.Pekola-Sjoblom@kuntaliitto.fi
