The Finnish public sector is at a turning point. Digitalisation is expected to deliver greater impact, trust and growth with fewer resources. Yet current structures are struggling to keep pace with the demands of a modern society. These tensions were explored in a new situational snapshot of public sector digitalisation, published at Gofore’s annual Digital Society 26 event.
The key message from the study is clear: quick fixes are no longer enough. What is needed is a bold leap towards renewing digital society. Therefore, ensuring the acceleration of public sector digitalisation will be one of the most important questions for Finland’s next government.
Gofore has been helping organisations design and build digital societies for more than 20 years. We have had a front-row seat to what it takes to create sustainable, digitally enabled societies. Over the years, we have supported organisations through complex transformations, giving us a unique perspective on the profound changes currently facing the public sector as a whole.
In spring 2026, we interviewed 15 public sector leaders and experts to understand what is accelerating and what is slowing down the progress of public sector digitalisation. The findings show that achieving greater societal impact will require bold and structural reforms.
The success of digitalisation is not measured by technology
When discussing public sector digitalisation, it is worth returning to a fundamental principle: the success of digitalisation is not measured by technology.
The success of public sector digitalisation is measured by how it helps build a functional, sustainable and trustworthy society for citizens.
And perhaps more importantly now than ever: does digitalisation create growth?
The real impact of digitalisation is visible in everyday life. It is reflected in whether public services continue to function when the world around them becomes uncertain. Moreover, it can be seen in whether citizens trust public institutions and feel that society works in their best interests.
Finland must find its way back to a path of sustainable growth. Technology is a critical enabler, but only when it is connected to everyday operations and real-world outcomes. The rapid development of artificial intelligence demonstrates that traditional operating models are no longer sufficient. We need to rethink both digitalisation and the way public administration is governed and managed, starting from the foundations.
Perhaps the study’s most important finding: a frustrated public sector
One of the most significant finding from the study is this: Finland has a highly capable and forward-looking public sector, yet the structures and deeply rooted ways of working are creating frustration.
Frustration arises when there is a strong desire to move things forward, but organisational structures prevent agile action. The situational snapshot suggests that Finland has visionary public sector leaders and professionals who are genuinely committed to acting in the country’s best interests. At the same time, opportunities to experiment, prioritise and renew are limited. Administrative structures inherited from a paper-era bureaucracy, legislative constraints and the fear of making mistakes in public sector continue to hinder progress.
What is needed now is a bold vision, new concepts and future-oriented thinking that is not constrained by outdated structures. Greater impact cannot be achieved without structural change.
Removing barriers is a prerequisite for accelerating digitalisation
What should Finland prioritise to increase the pace, scale and impact of public sector digitalisation? According to the findings, the answer is simple: we must remove the barriers that create frustration and slow down progress.
This requires a bold, systemic approach to ways of working, shared governance models and a national digital strategy.
Major transformations take time, but they are possible. At its core, public sector digitalisation is about whether we can build a society that continues to function tomorrow, and that people can trust.
Explore the key findings and the proposed solutions of the study
