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Finland’s
maternity package
Olga Tarsalainen
Communications Specialist
12.1.2017

2.
History of the maternity grant: 1938
• The Finnish maternity package was designed in 1937 to give all
children a more equal start to life.
• The Maternity Grants act came into force on 1 January 1938.
• The introduction of maternity grants was prompted by concerns over
declining birth rates and high infant mortality.
• In 1938, about two thirds of the country’s new mothers received
maternity grants (amounted to more than a third of the average
monthly salary of an industrial worker!).
• Early on, the maternity grant was awarded and paid out by municipal
welfare boards.
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3.
History of the maternity grant: 1938
• The box containing the maternity
package could itself be used as a
safe bed for the baby.
• In those days the poorest homes
didn’t necessarily have a clean
place for a baby to sleep.
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Finnish Labour Museum Werstas

4.
History of the maternity grant
• At first, maternity packages were intended
for low-income mothers only. Since clothes
were still largely homemade,
early maternity packages contained fabric
suitable for baby clothes.
• They also contained the muslin squares
that still feature in packages today.
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Finnish Labour Museum Werstas

5.
History of the maternity grant: 1949
• In 1949, the maternity grant was made available
to all mothers.
• Under a new provision mothers wishing to
receive grants now had to visit a physician, mid-
wife or municipal pre-natal clinic before the
end of the fourth month of pregnancy.
• This effectively encouraged pregnant mothers to
have health checks, helping to put Finland
among the countries with the world’s lowest
maternity and infant mortality rates!
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Finnish Labour Museum Werstas

6.
History of the maternity grant: 1950s
• The quantity and quality of the
clothes provided in the package
increased gradually.
• Initially clothes were made of white or
unbleached cotton. Mothers would
often embroider them for a more
personalized appearance.
• From 1957 fabrics and sewing
materials were replaced by ready-
made garments.
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Finnish Labour Museum Werstas

7.
History of the maternity package: 1980s-1990s
• The need for maternity packages was questioned in the 1980s as
families became better off. Since the packages remained as popular as
ever among new parents, it was decided to continue offering them.
• A legislative amendment made in 1990 brought the right to the
maternity grant to adoptive parents.
• The maternity grants scheme has been administered by Kela since
1994.
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8.
The 1994 version of the maternity package
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9.
The 2000 version of the maternity package
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The 2003 version of the maternity package
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The maternity package is a social security benefit
• The maternity package is not commercially available. The items are
sourced through a competitive bidding process complying with EU law.
• The maternity grant can be awarded to persons who are permanently
resident in Finland and are covered by the Finnish social security
system.
• Mothers can choose between a maternity package and a tax-free cash
benefit of €140.
• While the range of items remains largely the same, the colours and
patterns change, and some completely new items are added every
year.
• There are currently 56 different items in the box.
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Nearly all first-time mothers choose the maternity package
• Ecological aspects have gradually become more important. The baby
bottle and soother were left out in order to promote breastfeeding.
• The selection criteria for items in the package include the needs of
babies and parents, gender neutrality in colour schemes, quality, and
affordability.
• Nearly all first-time mothers now choose the maternity package!
Only a third of all expecting mothers opt for the cash benefit.
• Each year, Kela awards around 60,000 maternity grants, of which
about 40,000 are provided in the form of a maternity package.
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The 2016 version of the maternity package
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Thank you!
www.kela.fi/web/en/maternity-grant
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
Olga Tarsalainen
Communications Specialist, International Affairs
olga.tarsalainen@kela.fi
Twitter: @OlgaTars
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