– New Government policy decisions on housing allowances are having a negative impact on the housing and livelihoods of many Helsinki residents. The number of Finns at risk of poverty or marginalisation has continued to increase after the COVID-19 pandemic.

– Helsinki’s budget decisions are mitigating several of the cuts imposed by the Finnish Government: for example, Helsinki will not introduce health centre fees, will keep the age limit for after-care in child welfare at 25 and will capitalise Heka’s rent increases in 2025–2027.

– Helsinki aims to end homelessness by 2025. Homelessness has fallen substantially, but the target is unlikely to be met.

– Helsinki has increased cooperation to develop food aid activities through the Stadin Safka model and invested in nutrition counselling.

– The majority of the adult population are happy and feel that their quality of life and health are good, but there are differences in their experiences of quality of life, health and happiness depending on factors such as perceived income adequacy, and perceived quality of life has declined.

– Loneliness is more common in many population groups than it was in the 2010s.

– The mental well-being of children and young people, especially girls, has deteriorated according to many different indicators.

– In particular, the trend in student welfare and bullying in vocational education and training is more negative than in other education groups.

– The share of people achieving the physical activity recommendations has improved to 48%.

– Physical activity among children and young people has increased and their body mass index has shown a positive trend.

– Children and young people’s mental well-being challenges are affecting their learning.

– Experiences of bullying have increased at all levels of education.

– Training in emotional and interaction skills and sustainable development has been widely provided from early childhood education to upper secondary education.

– Helsinki has invested in literacy during the 2021–2025 strategy period, but there is no comprehensive overview of literacy at the city level.

– Women’s perceived quality of life has deteriorated significantly more than that of men.

– Around one in five women have experienced discrimination, more than 1.5 times more than men. Around a fifth of the City’s female employees have also been discriminated against in their work in 2023.

– The gender gap in the wellbeing of children and young people has increased. Girls’ experiences of sexual harassment are alarmingly common.

– Helsinki makes visible contributions to the non-discrimination of gender minorities (e.g. through Pride partnership). The knowledge base on the situation of gender minorities in Helsinki requires improvement.

– Water quality and purification are at a high level.

– Further measures would be needed for the qualitative management of stormwater.

– 80% of groundwater is in good condition.

– The production of renewable energy has increased.

– The last coal power plant in Helsinki will be closed in 2025.

– The employment situation has been slightly deteriorating since spring 2023.

– More action is needed to tackle long-term unemployment and the employment of foreign-language speakers.

– Many sectors are facing labour shortages. Solving this problem has become one of the key strategic objectives, and work-based immigration has grown significantly.

– The number of starting businesses has increased, but so has the number of closing businesses. The business promoter score has weakened.

– Socio-economic and ethnic segregation have increased somewhat, especially in the case of children.

– The suburban regeneration model is one of the ways in which Helsinki develops its neighbourhoods and prevents their segregation.

– In education and training, Helsinki has developed a model of needs-based funding and measures to prevent the growth of inequality.

– Major investments have been made in rail and cycling infrastructure and new neighbourhood construction sites, in particular.

– The share of sustainable modes of transport has not increased as hoped. In particular, public transport is struggling, with passenger numbers still not reaching the levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.

– Air quality in Helsinki has improved.

– Pioneering efforts have been made to cut emissions from construction, but these are not enough to meet the emission targets. Promoting the circular economy requires investment.

– Helsinki is committed to taking cultural environments into account in its new Cultural Environment Programme.

– Consumption-based emissions are high in Helsinki, more than twice as high as direct emissions generated within the city.

– The transition to circularity has been slow and requires active measures.

– Direct emissions in Helsinki decreased by 26.1% from 2022 to 2023.

– Helsinki’s natural carbon sinks absorb about 3% of the emissions generated in the area. To reach the net zero targets, there should be a significant increase in natural and technological carbon sinks and significant further reductions in emissions.

– Traffic emissions are the biggest challenge to reducing emissions locally. In addition to existing emission reduction measures, new ones are needed.

– Greater effectiveness is being sought for climate change adaptation goals.

– Increasing contaminants in stormwater pose a risk to small water bodies and the coastal area.

– The status of the Helsinki sea area is adequate and the status of the inner bays is passable. The status of the sea area has not developed according to expectations.

– The number of nature reserves in Helsinki has increased by five per year in line with the objectives of the strategy, and the implementation of measures under the Biodiversity Action Plan is underway.

– The growth of the city and safeguarding nature values have become a key challenge.

– The status of small water bodies in Helsinki is adequate.

– Criminal behaviour among young people and violence against women have increased, and Helsinki residents’ experience of safety has deteriorated.

– Efforts to improve young people’s experience of safety and prevent radicalisation have included training and a partner model between school exercise coaches and youth workers in comprehensive schools and the student welfare of upper secondary schools. Development achieved through project work must be made permanent and the necessary resources must be guaranteed.

– The jointly agreed objectives of the participation and interaction model made during the strategy period are being implemented in all City divisions. The links between sustainability work and participation need to be developed.

– Human rights issues and labour exploitation have become more prominent. Measures have been taken to promote ethical procurement in Helsinki.

– Helsinki has developed a new model for coordinating NGO cooperation.

– In 2023, almost EUR 47 million were allocated in grants. As grant funding for organisations from elsewhere decreases, the importance of the grants allocated by Helsinki increases.

– International cooperation and interest representation are actively carried out.