Estimated size of reader groups
No extensive studies on the need of plain language have been conducted in Finland.
The estimate (Hannu Virtanen, 2001) is based on data collected from various statistical and research sources.
The need for plain language varies in different age groups:
• children and young people 4–8 %
• people of working age 4–6 %
• people over 65 years of age 10–20 %
The target groups of plain language consist of about 200,000–350,000 persons (4–7 % of the Finnish population). A small part of them is fully illiterate and another small part needs communication that supports and replaces speech.