A postal survey collected every five years since 1995 at the University of Turku Unit of Social Policy. The principal idea of the survey was to replicate surveys that in other countries (for example in England and in Sweden) were constructed to analyze people's perceptions of poverty, and based on this, analyze the extent of poverty. With the data, it is possible to study people's perceptions on the necessities of life, deprivation in different dimensions, employment status and employment history, the social status of childhood home, subjective well-being and attitudes towards the welfare state and welfare recipients.
The aim of the survey was to get a picture of Finns' financial well-being. Respondents were first asked about their housing situation and their satisfaction with their current standard of living. Respondents were asked to assess the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on their employment and financial situation, among other things.
Respondents assessed their own family's financial situation. Respondents were asked about the necessity or non-necessity of various goods and services for today's Finnish adults. Respondents were also asked whether they considered certain goods and services necessary for themselves. Among other things, these included a mobile phone, a car, clothing, eating out, home furnishings, getting a haircut, home insurance, and health services. Families with children were asked whether they had access to regular activities or a own bedroom for their school-age children, for example.
Respondents rated their own health and satisfaction with their life situation. Respondents reported on how financial matters are handled in their family and whether there are income differences between spouses. Attitudes towards social security benefits and poverty were explored, for example by asking about income support clients or those in need of income support. They were also asked about the minimum income for one adult and whether the minimum amount of income support is adequate as it is.
Background variables in the data include year of birth, gender, type of housing, size of household and number of children, region of residence at age 14 and at present, highest level of education, main activity of self and spouse, socio-economic status and monthly income of the whole family.
The study was carried out by postal and online surveys with a random sample of 12,000 respondents. The sampling frame consisted of persons whose mother tongue is Finnish and who have a permanent address in Finland. The sample was sent a questionnaire, which they could fill in on paper or online if they wished.