Children playing in a park. Photo: Antti Aimo-Koivisto / Lehtikuva
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Families with children in Helsinki are becoming increasingly segregated from other residents based on income, education, employment, and language background, according to a new report by the City of Helsinki.
The findings show that children and young people are particularly affected by this trend. The city warns that disparities in wellbeing are growing, and in some cases, worsening. Economic hardship is emerging as a major dividing line.
The analysis is the first of its kind to examine urban segregation in Helsinki specifically from the perspective of families with children. It draws on a wide range of recent research and statistical data.
The report finds that, on average, Helsinki’s families with children are doing well and, in many respects, better than other households. Yet beneath this average, the gap between families is widening. A significant number of children live in low-income households, and family financial difficulties are linked to lower wellbeing for both parents and children.
Roughly 14,000 children in Helsinki live in low-income families. One-third of children from immigrant backgrounds are in this category, compared to just six percent of Finnish-background children. Low income is also more common in single-parent and large families.
Parents facing financial stress are more likely to report psychological strain. One in five parents in Helsinki report high mental stress. Among those experiencing financial hardship, about one in three say they are severely affected.
These conditions also influence the wellbeing of children and adolescents. Youth who view their family’s finances positively are more likely to report satisfaction with life and better perceived health.
The report also highlights strong differences in where families live. Socioeconomic status plays a major role in residential mobility within the city. Families with higher income and education levels are more able to move to neighbourhoods with better housing conditions. In contrast, families with lower means often remain in areas with limited options.
This selective migration is reinforced by housing costs. Large differences in the cost of home ownership between neighbourhoods restrict lower-income families’ ability to settle across the city. As a result, segregation may deepen further in the coming years.
Gaps in wellbeing also align with geography. Children living in socioeconomically disadvantaged districts are more likely to have fewer extracurricular activities, face greater challenges in education, and experience delays in accessing services. These differences lead to varying needs for local public services across the city.
The City of Helsinki and its researchers say continued monitoring is essential. The publication is part of an ongoing effort to track the wellbeing of children, youth, and families, and to respond to changes in urban social dynamics.
HT
- Next Article Bank of Finland warns financial system risks are increasing
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
