Making work pay? Receipt of social benefits in working households in Finland, 2011–2022

Abstract Finland has reformed its social security to emphasise in‐work benefits, which are intended to support part‐time and low‐paid employment. Drawing on total population registries, the present study analysed trends in the use of unemployment benefits, the general housing allowance and last‐resort social assistance among Finland's working households. Logistic regression was used to analyse the factors associated with benefit recipiency among them. Throughout the analysed period from 2011 through 2022, the use of in‐work benefits was most frequent among single mothers and people living alone. These working households stood out from the rest, particularly in terms of receiving the general housing allowance. Logistic regression analysis indicated that among working households, single‐parent mothers had markedly elevated odds of receiving benefits. The results highlight that a significant number of single mothers and individuals living alone struggle to make ends meet with income solely from employment.