Work ability among Espoo, Kauniainen, Helsinki, Oulu residents top in Finland

There are major differences in many indicators of health and work ability between cities, according to a study conducted by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

The Healthy Finland Study showed that there are clear differences between these cities in perceived work ability, physical functional capacity and the realisation of the recommendation on health-enhancing physical activity, said THL in a press release referring to the study on Wednesday.

Ten cities participated in the Healthy Finland municipal survey. The cities are Espoo, Helsinki, Kaarina, Kauniainen, Kuopio, Nokia, Oulu, Rovaniemi, Salo and Turku.

The share of people who feel incapacitated for work is the smallest in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. Physical functional capacity is best in Espoo, Kauniainen, Helsinki and Oulu.

“The age structure of the population or the level of education or income may affect the differences between cities, but they do not explain all differences. We need more research on the factors behind the differences,” said Development Manager of THL Suvi Parikka.

“Significant regional differences are a major problem both from the perspective of the equality objective of welfare and the health, functional capacity and work ability of the entire population. Municipalities and wellbeing services counties have a great opportunity to influence these phenomena”, Parikka said.

In the entire country, 20% of working-age people, those aged 20–64, feel that they are completely or partially incapable for work.

When comparing the ten cities, the share of people who feel they are fully or partly unable to work is the greatest in Rovaniemi and Kuopio (27% in both).

The share of people who feel incapacitated for work is the smallest in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area; 17% feel incapable for work in Espoo and Helsinki and 14% in Kauniainen.

In the entire country, less than half of those aged 20 or over are active enough to meet the recommendation on health-enhancing physical activity: 46% of men and 38% of women.

In Kauniainen, Oulu, Espoo and Helsinki, one in two over 20-year-old exercises in accordance with the recommendation for health-enhancing physical activity. On the other hand, those in Salo and Turku exercise less than the national average: in Salo, 37% and in Turku, 41% exercise according to the recommendations.

The recommendation for health-enhancing physical activity covers physical activity at work, on the way to and from work, and during free time. The recommendation is met by engaging in weekly physical activity that raises the heart rate for at least 2 hours and 30 minutes or in weekly vigorous physical activity for at least 1 hour and 15 minutes, and maintains muscle strength and movement control at least twice a week.

In the entire country, one in ten working-age people have great difficulties in running 100 metres. 11% of women and 8% of men find it difficult to run 100 metres.

When comparing the cities, the 100-metre run is the most difficult in Salo, where 18% of under 75-year-olds find it difficult. Espoo, Kauniainen, Oulu and Helsinki have the least difficulties with running (less than 10%).

Municipal vitality and residents’ well-being are strongly interlinked. The aim is to ensure that all residents are able to work and function for as long as possible.

“Welfare and health promotion is most effective when all administrative branches of the municipality and the wellbeing services county as well as other actors, such as the private and third sectors, cross boundaries and promote the residents’ well-being in a similar manner. This work requires jointly prepared goals, actions and monitoring,” said Development Manager Tapani Kauppinen.

The results have been collected in two stages: national survey data was collected between autumn 2022 and winter 2023, covering all wellbeing services counties data were also collected between autumn 2023 and winter 2024 from 10 cities that had ordered an additional sample.