The Ministry of Education and Culture’s proportion of the 2026 budget proposal is EUR 8.9 billion, which is some EUR 4.4 million more than in the 2025 Budget. Despite continued pressure on general government finances, the proposal maintains investment in education, research and competence.
The Government has appointed a parliamentary monitoring group to support the process to prepare the vision for higher education and research 2040. The term of the monitoring group is from 15 September 2025 to 30 June 2027.
JKMM Architects selected to design landmark waterfront building at the conclusion of an international, open and anonymous competition launched in April 2024. The international design competition received 624 proposals from around the world.
In Finland, the share of young adults with a tertiary degree (39%) remains lower than the OECD average (48%). The figures are from the OECD’s Education at a Glance publication, which compares education systems in different countries.
The Ministry of Education and Culture invites stakeholders and actors in the higher education and research sector to continue the joint discussion on the future. With a shared vision, Finland can respond to global and societal changes and shape the future we want.
On 12 June, the Government appointed Kirsti Laine-Hendolin, Master of Arts (Education), to the post of Director General of the Ministry of Education and Culture for the period from 1 September 2025 to 31 July 2030. The Director General is the head of the Ministry’s Department for Youth and Sport Policy.
The Ministry of Education and Culture is responsible for the development of education, science, cultural, sport and youth policies. The administrative branch of the Ministry of Education and Culture comprises 13 agencies, including Finnish National Agency for Education, Academy of Finland and Arts Promotion Centre Finland.
In international affairs, the Ministry participates in the work of major international organisations and regional councils, implements programmes and initiatives nationally and supports cultural cooperations and expatriate activities.
