Research
The research unit of Kela produces and interprets information about Finland’s social security system and its functionality. Our research supports the development of the social security system as well as the benefits and operations of Kela.
Semaglutide was the best-selling medicine in 2024
In 2024, total medicine sales amounted to EUR 4 billion, increasing by 5% (EUR 188 million) from the previous year.
Read the newsResearch
Kela’s Research Blog
Research-based articles about recent studies and current topics, written by Kela's researchers and guest authors.
Information packages
Information packages present research and statistics in concise packages that help the reader to get a quick overview of benefits paid by Kela or larger societal issues.
Research publications
Research articles by Kela's researchers, and articles in Kela's publication series
Latest research publications
Austerity, Health Payments and Economic Well-Being
This dissertation explores the relationship between health-related payments and household economic well-being through the theoretical framework of decommodification.
Published: 6.11.2025
Nuoren ammatilliseen kuntoutukseen ilman lääkärinlausuntoa ohjautuneiden nuorten aiempi etuuksien ja palveluiden käyttö
Mitä myös sairaus- tai vammadiagnoosiin perustuvia etuuksia ja palveluita nuoret ovat saaneet ennen ohjautumista Nuotti-valmennukseen ja muihin nuoren ammatillisen kuntoutuksen palveluihin.
Published: 17.10.2025
Researchers and projects
Researchers
Kela's research unit consists of ca 60 researchers. You can find their contact details and areas of expertise here.
Research projects
Research at Kela is organized into different research projects. These projects guide which topics and datasets the researchers focus on.
Research programme
The research programme guides which topics research projects are established on.
Services
Kela’s Master’s thesis award
Each year, Kela grants an award in recognition of a distinguished Master’s thesis on social security. The acknowledgement is granted to a scientifically high-quality thesis that is interesting from the viewpoint of social security.
Ethics Committee
The task of Kela’s Research Ethics Committee is to conduct, upon request, an ethical review of research projects involving human participants and to issue relevant statements.
Research funding available from Kela
Kela can offer funding for research focusing on rehabilitation, the prevention of illness or health insurance.