Number of children receiving disability benefits in Finland rises again

The number of children under 16 receiving disability benefits in Finland exceeded 51,000 last year, according to new figures from the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela).

The total marks a more than one-third increase since 2015, with the rise largely driven by growing support granted for ADHD diagnoses, Kela reported.

However, the year-on-year growth has slowed. The number of disability benefit recipients under and over 16 rose by only a few percentage points compared to the previous year.

In 2023, Kela paid out approximately €680 million in disability benefits.