Authors

• Elinkeinoelämän valtuuskunta (EVA)

Keywords

European integration, attitudes, european parliament elections, families, labour market, politics, quality of life, strikes, taxation

Abstract

The study charted Finnish people's values and attitudes. The themes of the Spring 2024 survey included the economy and the enlargement of the European Union, the European elections 2024, family and children, taxation, corporate investment and political strikes.

First, the respondents were presented with attitudinal statements concerning a variety of social topics, such as politics, the EU and its institutions, labour market reforms and the trade union movement. Next, the respondents were asked about their thoughts on family, spouse, children and having children.

Some questions investigated the tax policy. The respondents were asked whether they would increase or decrease the various forms of taxation in the Finnish tax system. It was also asked how a reduction in the tax on earned income would affect the respondent's life, for example, whether he or she would work more or less. The study also examined how the respondent would react to various measures to attract investment to Finland.

Opinions on recent political strikes were charted. For example, the respondents were asked to assess the impact of the strikes on their daily lives and on their economy and livelihoods. They were also asked about the appropriate maximum duration of a single political strike.

Regarding the European Union and its institutions, the respondents were asked whether they intend to vote in the European Parliament elections in June and what should be the focus of the EU Commission's programme and the EU's future activities. Opinions were also asked on increasing EU funding, the possible enlargement of the EU to Ukraine and how the respondents would feel if, for example, Albania, Iceland, the UK, Israel or Russia became members of the European Union. Opinions were also charted on Finland's NATO membership, Finland's EU membership and the currency change to euro. Everyday well-being and happiness were also surveyed. The respondents were asked how satisfied they were with their life, and whether they felt that their lives were improving or worsening. The respondents' trust in other people and their outlook on their own futures were also charted. The respondents' state of mind was examined with questions on various matters relating to emotional states, well-being, and their situation in life.

Background variables included the respondent's gender, age group, number of inhabitants in the municipality of residence, region (NUTS3), type of employer, working hours, type of employment contract, education, economic activity and occupational status, employment sector, trade union membership, what political party R would vote for in parliamentary elections, self-perceived social class, mother tongue and annual gross income of the R's household.