Finns rely on guidelines, information and support from loved ones in crisis situations

Clear guidelines, reliable information and the support of loved ones would help the majority of Finns to cope psychologically in a crisis situation.  However, less than half of the population knows what to do if information networks and connections fail, according to a survey by the National Emergency Supply Agency.

The National Emergency Supply Agency surveyed citizens’ views on security of supply, preparedness and psychological crisis resilience. The results are based on survey data collected in October 2025, representing Finland’s adult population (N=1011). The survey was conducted by E2 Research.

Clear priorities for crisis situations

Finns consider the most important aspects of security of supply in a crisis situation to be the availability of food and drinking water (93%), electricity and energy (86%) and medication and healthcare supplies (79%), as well as ensuring security, law and order (77%). These are important to all Finns, regardless of their background.

The majority of Finns (72%) believe that clear guidelines would help them to cope if they were faced with a crisis situation. Reliable information would also be a psychological resource for the majority (62%) in such a situation.  More than half of Finns also think that the support of family and loved ones (58%) and trust in authorities (53%) would help them to cope in a crisis. Personal preparedness and psychological strength, as well as physical ability to function, are also seen as contributing factors to coping.

Official information would be relied on in a crisis situation

Citizens would primarily look for information and guidelines on authorities’ websites, traditional media and internet search engines.  Adults under the age of 30 are significantly more likely to seek information and guidelines from loved ones and social media.

Two out of three adults say that they know what to do in the event of power outages, food shortages and heat supply disruptions. Other emergency situations are less well known. Less than half of the population knows what to do if information networks and connections fail. Around half of men and a fifth of women know what to do in the event of a military attack.

Most Finns have heard of security of supply

The majority of Finns (89%) believe that individual households being prepared, for example by having home emergency supplies, is an important part of ensuring security of supply.  Despite this, only around half of households are very well or fairly well prepared for emergency situations in practice. Financial problems, lack of information, limited storage space and unclear guidelines pose challenges to preparedness.

Most Finns have heard of the concept of security of supply, but its content is less well known. Security of supply refers to a society’s ability to prepare for crises and disruptions by safeguarding vital functions, ensuring that society continues to function and that people’s daily lives experience as little disruption as possible in all circumstances. The National Emergency Supply Agency promotes preparedness for emergencies among authorities, the private sector, organisations and citizens.

62% of respondents have little or some knowledge of the National Emergency Supply Agency’s operations.  Trust in the National Emergency Supply Agency to manage crisis situations is at a fairly high level.  When it comes to managing crisis situations, Finns trust the security authorities the most, with NESA ranking fifth among them.