Sub-regional units 2023

The purpose of regional classifications used in statistics is to describe regional variations of various phenomena and regional structure. As most regional classifications, the division of sub-regional units is based on the administrative regional division.
The division of sub-regional units was adopted in 1994 as a basic division of the acts on regional policy (Act on regional development 1135/93). In the new act on regional development and management of structural fund activities (7/2014), the division into sub-regional units is no more mentioned as the basis for subsidy areas, so it no longer has a position as an official regional division. The criteria used for forming sub-regional units have mainly been cooperation between municipalities and employment. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and Statistics Finland have agreed that the division into sub-regional units can still be used as a statistical regional division and Statistics Finland maintains it at least for the time being.
Municipalities, sub-regional units, regions and the statistical grouping of municipalities are the primary regional classifications used in Finland's statistical system. Other municipality-based regional classifications used in statistics are major regions, Regional State Administrative Agencies (AVI), Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY centres) and Wellbeing services counties. Types of municipalities include the cost-of-living classification, financial capacity classification, language distribution classification and municipality form classification.

As of the beginning of 2015, sub-regional units ceased to be an official regional division, but it is maintained at Statistics Finland for the time being.

No changes as of 1 January 2023

No changes as of 1 January 2022

Changes in sub-regional units on 1 January 2021

Heinävesi (090) moved from the sub-regional unit of Savonlinna (103) to the sub-regional unit of Joensuu (122).

Iitti (142) moved from the sub-regional unit of Kouvola (081) to the sub-regional unit of Lahti (071).

Isokyrö (152) moved from the sub-regional unit of Kyrönmaa (151) to the sub-regional unit of Seinäjoki (142).

Joroinen (171) moved from the sub-regional unit of Pieksämäki (105) to the sub-regional unit of Varkaus (114).

Kuhmoinen (291) moved from the sub-regional unit of Jämsä (134) to the sub-regional unit of Tampere (064).

Laihia (399) moved from the sub-regional unit of Kyrönmaa (151) to the sub-regional unit of Vaasa (152).

The sub-regional unit of Kyrönmaa (151) was abolished.

One change to the Swedish names of groups: Group 133 "Keuruu ekonomiska region changed into "Keuru ekonomiska region".

No changes as of 1 January 2020

No changes as of 1 January 2019

Changes in sub-regional units On 1 January 2017, as Luvia (442) merged with Eurajoki (051), the area of the former municipality of Luvia moved from the sub-regional unit of Pori (043) to the sub-regional unit of Rauma (041). As Juankoski (174) merged with Kuopio (297), the area of the former municipality of Juankoski moved from the sub-regional unit of Koillis-Savo (113) to that of Kuopio (112).

Changes in sub-regional units on 1 January 2016 Vaala moved from the sub-regional unit of Kajaani (182) to the sub-regional unit of Oulunkaari (173).

Changes in sub-regional units on 1 January 2015 Two municipalities, Kuopio (incl. Maaninka) and Siilinjärvi, belong to the sub-regional unit of Kuopio (112) (in 2014 three). Lavia (413) merged with Pori (609) and the area of the former municipality of Lavia moved from the sub-regional unit of Pohjois-Satakunta (044) to that of Pori (043). Tarvasjoki (838) merged with Lieto (423) and the area of the former municipality of Tarvasjoki moved from the sub-regional unit of Loimaa (025) to that of Turku (023).

No changes as of 1 January 2014

Changes in sub-regional units on 1 January 2013: Nilsiä (534) merged with the municipality of Kuopio (297) and the area of the former municipality of Nilsiä moved from the sub-regional unit of Koillis-Savo (113) to that of Kuopio (112). Suomenniemi (775) merged with the municipality of Mikkeli (491) and the area of the former municipality of Suomenniemi moved from the sub-regional unit of Lappeenranta (091) to that of Mikkeli (101). Yli-Ii (972) merged with the municipality of Oulu (564) and the area of the former municipality of Yli-Ii moved from the sub-regional unit of Oulunkaari (173) to that of Oulu (171). Kiikoinen (254) merged with the municipality of Sastamala (790) and the area of the former municipality of Kiikoinen moved from the sub-regional unit of Pohjois-Satakunta (044) to that of Lounais-Pirkanmaa (068). Vähäkyrö (942) merged with the municipality of Vaasa (905) and the area of the former municipality of Vähäkyrö moved from the sub-regional unit of Kyrönmaa (151) to that of Vaasa (152). The number of sub-regional units remained unchanged and their number in Mainland Finland is 67.

No changes on 1 January 2012. Changes in sub-regional units on 1 January 2011: Rantasalmi (681) moved from the sub-regional unit of Pieksämäki (105) to that of Savonlinna (103). Sipoo (753) moved from the sub-regional unit of Porvoo (201) to that of Helsinki (011). As the region of Eastern Uusimaa (20) was merged with that of Uusimaa (01), the number of the sub-regional unit of Porvoo (201) changed into 015 and that of the sub-regional unit of Loviisa (202) changed into 016. Kuhmalahti (289) was merged with Kangasala (211) and the area of the former municipality of Kuhmalahti moved from the sub-regional unit of Kaakkois-Pirkanmaa (062) to that of Tampere (064). Pälkäne (635) moved from the sub-regional unit of Kaakkois-Pirkanmaa (062) to that of Tampere (064). As a result of these two changes, the sub-regional unit of Kaakkois-Pirkanmaa (062) was abolished.

Latest changes (1 January 2010): Himanka (095) was merged with the municipality of Kalajoki (208) and the area of the former municipality of Himanka moved from the sub-regional unit of Kokkola (162) to that of Ylivieska (177). Orivesi (562) moved from the sub-regional unit of Ylä-Pirkanmaa (069) to that of Tampere (064). Hämeenkyrö (108) moved from the sub-regional unit of Luoteis-Pirkanmaa (061) to that of Tampere (064). Juuka (176) moved from the sub-regional unit of Pielisen Karjala (125) to that of Joensuu (122). Heinola (111), Sysmä (781) and Hartola (081) moved from the sub-regional unit of Heinola (072) to that of Lahti (071) whereby the sub-regional unit of Heinola ceases to exist. The name of the sub-regional unit of Siikalatva (175) was changed to Haapavesi-Siikalatva. The sub-regional unit code remained unchanged. The name of sub-regional unit 153 is Sydösterbotten.

The classification of sub-regional units is a classification compiled for national needs.