Introduction Timely access to healthcare is crucial in order to tackle problems of work ability in the workforce. However, studies have shown that in many countries, e.g. in Finland, use of healthcare is unequally distributed across the socio-economic groups. Primary healthcare in Finland is organised at three different sectors (free occupational healthcare, costly private healthcare, and scarcely available public healthcare) that practically service different population segments. More knowledge is needed on use of healthcare at different sectors by socio-economic groups in order to advance more equal access to care.

Data and methods Register data on use of occupational, public and private healthcare during 2013 and on socio-demographic covariates were linked for the total working-age population (age 25–64) of the city of Oulu, Finland (n=105 000). Concurrent and exclusive use of healthcare at different sectors by socio-economic status was analysed with descriptive methods and multinomial logistic regression.

Results Use and non-use of healthcare at different sectors was strongly associated with socio-economic status. The majority of the employed used some type of healthcare, and the users mostly utilised only occupational healthcare. Use of occupational healthcare also increased use of private healthcare. Those in disadvantaged socio-economic positions - also within the employees - were more likely to use only public healthcare or no care at all.

Conclusion Socio-economic position affects the availability and use of healthcare since different types of services, with varying costs and waiting times, are accessible to different groups. Access to healthcare of those in disadvantaged socio-economic positions should be improved.