Finns are placing even greater trust in domestic companies
The "People's Values 2017" survey conducted by T-Media and the Economic Information Office (TAT) shows that Finns' confidence in the domestic private sector is at an all-time high.
Seventy-five percent of citizens now say they trust Finnish companies. Public regard for the business community has clearly grown over the past year. The business sector has improved its standing, particularly as an attractive employer and a responsible stakeholder.
“The importance of the business sector, which generates tax revenue, is becoming even more evident,” says Kari Väisänen, CEO of the Economic Information Agency TAT. “Citizens understand the importance of a successful and responsibly operating business sector for society as a whole. Jobs are created in companies. Without successful companies, we would be in trouble, both as a society and as individuals.”
The study also shows that, among public institutions, the police, education, and healthcare continue to form the foundation of public trust. Trust has remained high year after year. At the same time, confidence in the armed forces has grown—even surpassing that in the judicial system.
Confidence in the government is at an all-time low
Trust in political decision-making is in crisis. Trust in the government has fallen dramatically: in 2013, trust stood at 45 percent, whereas this year only 31 percent of citizens trust the government. This result is the lowest on record in the survey’s history.
“Confidence in the government may have been eroded by a series of reversals and the uncertainty surrounding the social and health care reform,” says Harri Leinikka, CEO of T-Media. “The cuts to the education system—a source of pride for Finns—have likely had the same effect. Confidence has declined particularly sharply among the highly educated.”
Finland embraces the world – love for the EU is burning bright
Eighty-nine percent of citizens view international engagement as vital for Finland. An increasing number also believe that Finland will need more foreign workers in the future than it does now.
“The indicators show that Finland is more ready than ever to open up to the world,” Leinikka notes. “Amid the turbulent global political situation, Finns seem to have realized that there is strength in cooperation. This is also reflected in the EU’s growing popularity.”
Seventy percent of citizens do not want to leave the EU. “Despite its crises, the Union has succeeded in establishing itself as an important and meaningful community for Finns.”
Data for the 2017 Public Values Survey was collected via an online questionnaire between October 24 and November 6, 2017. A total of 1,692 Finns responded to the survey. The survey was conducted in collaboration with the Economic Information Office (TAT) and T-Media Oy. The target group consisted of Finns aged 15–74 nationwide (excluding the Åland Islands).
Download the research summary here (PDF, 2,879 KB)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Economic Information Agency TAT
CEO Kari Väisänen
Tel. 0400 138 767, kari.vaisanen@tat.fi
T-Media
CEO Harri Leinikka
Tel. 040 505 5001, harri.leinikka@reptrust-staging.fi-p.seravo.com
Research Manager Reeta Sutinen
Tel. 040 511 9936, reeta.sutinen@reptrust-staging.fi-p.seravo.com
The "People's Values 2017" survey conducted by T-Media and the Economic Information Office (TAT) shows that Finns' confidence in the domestic private sector is at an all-time high.
Seventy-five percent of citizens now say they trust Finnish companies. Public regard for the business community has clearly grown over the past year. The business sector has improved its standing, particularly as an attractive employer and a responsible stakeholder.
“The importance of the business sector, which generates tax revenue, is becoming even more evident,” says Kari Väisänen, CEO of the Economic Information Agency TAT. “Citizens understand the importance of a successful and responsibly operating business sector for society as a whole. Jobs are created in companies. Without successful companies, we would be in trouble, both as a society and as individuals.”
The study also shows that, among public institutions, the police, education, and healthcare continue to form the foundation of public trust. Trust has remained high year after year. At the same time, confidence in the armed forces has grown—even surpassing that in the judicial system.
Confidence in the government is at an all-time low
Trust in political decision-making is in crisis. Trust in the government has fallen dramatically: in 2013, trust stood at 45 percent, whereas this year only 31 percent of citizens trust the government. This result is the lowest on record in the survey’s history.
“Confidence in the government may have been eroded by a series of reversals and the uncertainty surrounding the social and health care reform,” says Harri Leinikka, CEO of T-Media. “The cuts to the education system—a source of pride for Finns—have likely had the same effect. Confidence has declined particularly sharply among the highly educated.”
Finland embraces the world – love for the EU is burning bright
Eighty-nine percent of citizens view international engagement as vital for Finland. An increasing number also believe that Finland will need more foreign workers in the future than it does now.
“The indicators show that Finland is more ready than ever to open up to the world,” Leinikka notes. “Amid the turbulent global political situation, Finns seem to have realized that there is strength in cooperation. This is also reflected in the EU’s growing popularity.”
Seventy percent of citizens do not want to leave the EU. “Despite its crises, the Union has succeeded in establishing itself as an important and meaningful community for Finns.”
Data for the 2017 Public Values Survey was collected via an online questionnaire between October 24 and November 6, 2017. A total of 1,692 Finns responded to the survey. The survey was conducted in collaboration with the Economic Information Office (TAT) and T-Media Oy. The target group consisted of Finns aged 15–74 nationwide (excluding the Åland Islands).
Download the research summary here (PDF, 2,879 KB)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Economic Information Agency TAT
CEO Kari Väisänen
Tel. 0400 138 767, kari.vaisanen@tat.fi
T-Media
CEO Harri Leinikka
Tel. 040 505 5001, harri.leinikka@reptrust-staging.fi-p.seravo.com
Research Manager Reeta Sutinen
Tel. 040 511 9936, reeta.sutinen@reptrust-staging.fi-p.seravo.com
