Labour Market Information: Finland

National level - Finland

^{* The years referenced in this report vary, as the data is based on the most up-to-date information available for each indicator, as of December 2024.}

Labour market

As of 1 January 2024, about 5.6 million people lived in Finland. The gross domestic product per inhabitant was EUR 48 300 in 2022, 36.4% higher than the average of EUR 35 400 per inhabitant in the EU27. Between 2018 and 2022, the GDP per capita increased by 14%.

^{Note: nama_10r_2gdp, Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu)}

In 2023, more than 2.9 million people were active on the labour market in Finland. The employment rate was 74%, 3.6 percentage points higher than the EU27 average and 1.9 percentage points higher compared to 2018.In 2023, for women, the employment rate was 74.1%, for men, the employment rate was 73.9%, and for youth, the employment rate was 45.9%, with women and youth having rates higher than the EU average and with only men having a rate lower than the EU average.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfe2emprt, data refer to working age population (15-64), youth age group (15-24)  Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu)}

In 2023, the unemployment rate was nearly matching the level registered in 2022. In 2023, the unemployment rate returned to the level before the pandemic, when it equaled 7.5% in 2018, and 6.8% in 2019. The unemployment rate is consistently above the EU27 average. In 2023, it was 1.2 percentage points higher in Finland than in the EU27.

In 2023, 88.3% of the active workforce were from Finland, 3.6% from other EU Member States and 8.1 from third countries. In the EU27, as of 2023, the highest proportion of the workforce comes from the respective country (85% on average), while on average a smaller portion is from foreign countries (4.3% from other EU Member States, and 10.5% from third countries).

In 2022, most employees worked in manufacturing (18.9%), followed by wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (16.3%), administrative and support service activities (11.2%) and construction (10.7%). In terms of number of enterprises, most can be found in professional, scientific and technical activities (16.6%), construction (13.6%), and wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (13.4%).

In Finland, the highest proportion of employees (36.2%) worked in large companies with more than 250 employees. These companies accounted for only 0.2% of all enterprises in the country, with just 760 of such businesses. 23.2% of persons employed worked in micro companies with up to 9 employees, 19.7% of persons employed worked in medium companies with 50 to 249 employees, 12.1% of persons employed worked in small companies with 20 to 49 employees and 8.8% of persons employed worked in small companies with 10 to 19 employees.

Vacancies

In 2024, in Finland, the occupational groups with the highest occurrence of shortage occupations were: health professionals, building and related trades workers (excluding electricians) and personal service workers. On the other hand, the occupational groups with the highest occurrence of surplus occupations were: legal, social and cultural professionals, science and engineering professionals and building and related trades workers (excluding electricians).

Read more about labour shortages and surpluses in Europe: Labour shortages and surpluses in Europe 2023 | European Labour Authority (europa.eu)

Job vacancy rate

Regarding the job vacancy rate (defined as the number of job vacancies expressed as a percentage of the total sum of occupied posts and job vacancies), in 2023 this was 2.3 % in the industry, construction and services, nearly matching the EU27 average. This rate has increased by 0.6 percentage points compared to 2022 and it is still above the situation before 2020, when it stood only at 2.2%.

^{Note: jvs_a_rate_r2, Statistics | Eurostat}

The sectors with the highest vacancy rates were human health and social work activities; education; arts, entertainment and recreation; public administration and defence; compulsory social security; administrative and support services.

^{Note: jvs_a_rate_r2, Statistics | Eurostat}

Widely used job portals

Wages

Minimum wage

As of 2024, Finland did not have a statutory minimum wage.

Monthly average gross and net earnings

In 2023, the gross average earnings of a single person stood at EUR 4442, while the EU27 average was EUR 3417. The equivalent net wage was EUR 3 040 in Finland, compared to EUR 2351 in the EU27. Compared to 2018, gross average earnings increased by 18.2% in Finland and by 19.8% in the EU27. During the same period, the net wages have increased by 16.2% in Finland and by 22.1% in the EU27.

^{Note: earn_nt_net, Single person earning 100% average, annual rates transformed into 12 monthly payments. Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu)}

Trends

Go directly to Ageing workforce | Digital transition | Expected growing or declining sectors | Female labour market participation | Flexible work arrangements | Green transition | Immigration | Insufficient job offers for jobseekers to find jobs | Insufficient number of jobseekers with the required skills | Issues related to remuneration | Outmigration | Platform work | Remote work | Skills that are expected to increase or decline in demand | Traineeships, internships and apprenticeships | Unemployment | Workers with disabilities | Workers' and employers' preferences on employment and working conditions don't match 

Ageing workforce

Finnish population structure is quite old, we need recruitment from abroad. It’s also a trend, that younger people don’t want children, or they are ready to start a family only when they feel they can afford that and sometimes it’s too late. Due to the ageing population and low birth rates in most Finnish municipalities, the only way to tackle the decline of inhabitants is by attracting new inhabitants from outside of Finland. The current government program dictates that international workforce should be first and foremost recruited from the EU/EEA area and therefore the EURES-network plays a crucial role in responding to the Finnish labour market’s needs. According to different studies, workers over 50 years old feel that employers don’t want to hire them.

Digital transition

Digital transition is a trendy topic, but companies who are doing this successfully are only few ones or they are specialized in some very small detail in digital field. Surely government puts lot of energy and money to these kind of projects in many ways.

Expected growing or declining sectors

Nurses are needed and still ICT sector is looking for certain skills. Economic situation is very hard for construction this year.

Female labour market participation

Women and men both participate in working life quite equally in Finland, depends on work and branch. Men have still higher salary levels and most of top leaders in private companies are male.

Flexible work arrangements (related to e.g. working time, place of work or type of contract)

Distance work is widely used in the public sector, but some companies are taking back rules before the covid and emphasizing the importance of seeing people face to face with the team. A lot could be done more for making work more flexible.

Green Transition

Companies are trying to greenwash their businesses and in public it’s widely talked and supported but in a big picture we haven’t noticed much these kinds of jobs, or it’s hidden inside duties as a small part of job.

Immigration (from the EU, from third countries)

Immigration is widely spoken topic in Finland. About 50 000 Ukrainians have moved to Finland in a very short time. However, among the EU countries Finland is not so popular target country. Cold weather, difficult language or loneliness are often mentioned when asked why leave Finland. On the other hand, safety, education and clean nature are considered positive sides. Some companies want to hire from 3. countries and are saying that it’s done too difficult. There are some new laws that are really making it more difficult, for example that people should leave Finland if they haven’t found a new job for 3-6 months.

Insufficient job offers for jobseekers to find jobs

This year 2024 we have much less job opportunities than last year. TE-Services market share of jobs is no longer so vast what it used to be.

Insufficient number of jobseekers with the required skills

Level of skills in some occupations are very demanding.

Issues related to remuneration (e.g. minimum wage, living wage, subsidies)

Salaries haven’t risen even if living cost are. Some sectors however have very good salaries. Service sector and agriculture are not so lucrative because salaries are often modest.

Outmigration

Traditionally more highly educated young people are the keenest to move abroad. Finland needs more specialized workers, especially nurses and doctors, but many are still going abroad. Salaries in UK, North America or some Arabic countries are much more than Finland can offer both public and private sector in health care. Finnish young people usually have quite good language skills, especially in English, but many have studied other languages too, like German, French, Spanish. For Swedish speakers it is easy to move to Sweden or Norway, even Denmark. Estonia is popular for Finnish to study. Older people are willing to move to warmer countries. Naturally all this is a somehow problematic because age structure is old, and talented workers are needed in many jobs.

Platform work

Part of the medium size or large companies and of course public sector. However, it’s widely recognized that platforms can’t solve all the problems, for example in the health care sector.

Remote work

In 2023, 20% of employed persons in Finland sometimes worked from home, compared to 13.3% in the EU27. Additionally, 21.7% of employed persons in Finland usually worked from home, while in the EU27 it was 8.9%.

^{Note: lfsa_ehomp, Product - Datasets - Eurostat}

Skills that are expected to increase or decline in demand

Cleaning sectors have a little better reputation now but still challenges to find skilled workers as well as some technical occupations. Also, some machine and metal industry occupations have so special needs that candidates are hard to find.

Traineeships, internships and apprenticeships

Now when economic situation is still quite unsure, unfortunately these kinds of chances are less, and some companies are only using them because they don’t have to pay salaries.

Unemployment (e.g. long-term, youth, female, structural or low-skilled)

Long term employment is a problem, also younger have difficulties to find jobs, although they might be very picky too.

Workers with disabilities

Employment with disabilities is very challenging, it’s normal that companies want to find as good and flexible workers as possible. There are some references that companies use people with disabilities only because they don’t have to pay so much or no one else is willing to do the job.

Workers’ and employers’ preferences on employment and working conditions don’t match

Problem specially in health care, nurses don’t want to work cos the conditions are too busy to work with human in a dignified way. Employers are demanding more and more skills. For example, cleaners should have good knowledge of Finnish language even if they don’t communicate with clients. Younger workers are sometimes very picky, they are not interested if the salary or company’s reputation is not good enough. Restaurants face also problems in hiring work force. However, most restaurants can offer only part time jobs. Working hours are often nighttime.

West Finland (Länsi-Suomi)

Go directly to Ostrobothnia | Pirkanmaa | Satakunta | Central Finland | South Ostrobothnia

With 1 384 761 inhabitants, West Finland represented about 24.9% of the population in Finland in 2023.

The gross domestic product per capita, adjusted for price levels (PPS) in West Finland was 121.5% of the EU27 average, well below the national average of 136.4%.

In 2023, more than 697 700 people were active in the labour market in West Finland. 39.4% had tertiary education, 48.8% had secondary education, and 11.7% had primary education. The employment rate in West Finland was 56.2 % in 2023, in line with the national average and in line with 2022 figures.

The employment rate for women in 2023 was 53.2%, men had an employment rate of 59.2%, and for the youth the employment rate was 47.6%. The employment rate for women was below the national average, while the employment rates for men and the youth were above the national average.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfe2emprt, Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu), data refer to age group 15 years or over}

The unemployment rate in West Finland was 6.7% in 2023, in line with the national average in the same year and in line with the previous year.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfu3rt, Statistics | Eurostat, data refer to age group 15 years or over}

Ostrobothnia

There are about 178 000 in the area, Vaasa being biggest town. Strong export industry

Vacancies

Marine technology and ship industry, food, plastic and bioproducts

Shortages

Industry, social and health care and ICT are the most important shortage fields.

Surpluses

Whole Ostrobothia have problems finding talented work force, recruitments are made also from EU area and third countries.

Pirkanmaa

Areas population is about 539 000 and estimated jobs 230 000, two hours’ drive from Helsinki, Pirkanmaa has many technology companies and about 50 000 students.

Vacancies

In Pirkanmaa, the following sectors are struggling with recruitment: the machinery and metal industry, the energy industry, business services at all degree levels, the hospitality industry, the education sector, and some parts of the ICT industry.

Shortages

Health care, machine and metal industry, education and ICT, business services

Surpluses

sales, restaurant, kitchen workers, electric specialist, welders, motor vehicle repairers

Satakunta

Satakunta lies on the west coast of Finland. the population of Satakunta is about 212 660. The biggest cities in the region are Pori and Rauma. Both the population and the labour force of the region have declined in recent years. Strong industries in Satakunta include the technology industry, the food industry, the packaging industry, the forest industry, energy production, the chemical industry, construction, and industrial technologies and services.

Vacancies

Recently, most vacancies have been in services and sales, as well as construction, renovation and manufacturing. Satakunta has jobs for salespersons, office and cleaners, healthcare assistants, food processing workers and kitchen helpers. There are also jobs for industrial professionals such as metal working machine tool setters and operators, motor vehicle mechanics and repairers, welders and flame cutters.

Shortages

The largest number of labour shortage occupations have been in the sectoral groups of the technology industry and services as well as business and administration. In terms of numbers, the greatest shortage has been seen in the food processing industry. Over the next year, it is estimated that there will be a shortage of workers, particularly in social and healthcare services and industrial occupations.

Surpluses

The highest numbers of unemployed people are in construction, repair and manufacturing, as well as in services and sales. Another large group is unemployed jobseekers with no vocational training (with no profession, or whose profession is unknown.

Central Finland

Population is 272897 and about half situated in Jyväskylä, with lively student population.

Vacancies

Machine and construction are strong fields in area, but also service sector is growing.

Shortages

Doctors and nurses, social workers, plumbers, welders, electricians, salespersons, ICT

Surpluses

graphic work, secretaries, culture workers, and clothing industry, also construction workers during low season

South Ostrobothnia

Approximately 191 000 people live in the region. The population has increased only in Seinäjoki. The population trend in other municipalities has been downward.

Vacancies

The strong sectors in Southern Ostrobothnia are the food industry and associated primary production. The construction, metal and machine shop sectors, industry relating to wood processing, and retail, are also in a strong position.

Shortages

There are many different types of job vacancies in the social and healthcare services sector (physicians, qualified nurses, public health nurses, dentists, dental assistants and therapists, audiologists and speech therapists, psychologists, social work). Hospitality industry has a shortage of skilled restaurant workers, chefs and waiters.

Surpluses

It is challenging to find skilled labour in the metal industry. There is a shortage of sales representatives, as well as of contact centre salespersons. There are many unemployed jobseekers in the administrative and office work sectors.

Helsinki-Uusimaa

With 1 733 033 inhabitants, Uusimaa represented about 31.1% of the population in Finland in 2023.

The gross domestic product per capita, adjusted for price levels (PPS) in Uusimaa was 173.4% of the EU27 average, well above the national average of 136.4%.

Capital area has a good regional economic status, as it includes the Helsinki metropolitan area and serves as a hub for business and the central government. Uusimaa is Finland’s largest population and growth centre and the most important unified employment area.

In 2023, more than 965 100 people were active in the labour market in Uusimaa. 47.7% had tertiary education, 39% had secondary education, and 13.2% had primary education. The employment rate in Uusimaa was 61.5 % in 2023, 4.8 percentage points higher than the national average in Finland and 1.1 percentage points lower compared to 2022.

The employment rate for women in 2023 was 60%, men had an employment rate of 63.2%, and for the youth the employment rate was 44.8%. The employment rates for women and men were above the national average, while the employment rate for the youth was below the national average.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfe2emprt, Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu), data refer to age group 15 years or over}

The unemployment rate in Uusimaa was 7.6% in 2023, in line with the national average in the same year and in line with the previous year.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfu3rt, Statistics | Eurostat, data refer to age group 15 years or over}

Vacancies

The labour market is experiencing a slight downturn in 2024. Recovery from the coronavirus pandemic was good in Uusimaa, but long-term unemployment remained at a higher level than before. As of August 2024, the share of unemployed jobseekers in the labour force in Uusimaa is 10.8%. Among the industries, the most significant change has been seen in construction.

Shortages

In April 2024 in Uusimaa among the biggest shortage occupations were in healthcare services from health care assistants to doctors, early childhood education and care professionals, and software developers.

Surpluses

Capital regions have also unemployment in many jobs, office work, art field and media.

Southern Finland (Etelä-Suomi)

Go directly to Southwest Finland | Kanta-Häme | South Karelia | Päijät-Häme | Kymenlaakso

With 1 144 473 inhabitants, Southern Finland represented about 20.6% of the population in Finland in 2023.

The gross domestic product per capita, adjusted for price levels (PPS) in Southern Finland was 120.1% of the EU27 average, well below the national average of 136.4%.

In 2023, more than 570 300 people were active in the labour market in Southern Finland. 36.3% had tertiary education, 50.7% had secondary education, and 13% had primary education. The employment rate in Southern Finland was 54.3 % in 2023, 2.4 percentage points lower than the national average in Finland and in line with 2022 figures.

The employment rate for women in 2023 was 52.3%, men had an employment rate of 56.4%, and for the youth the employment rate was 44.4%, all below the national average.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfe2emprt, Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu), data refer to age group 15 years or over}

The unemployment rate in Southern Finland was 7.5% in 2023, in line with the national average in the same year and in line with the previous year.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfu3rt, Statistics | Eurostat, data refer to age group 15 years or over}

Southwest Finland

Southwest Finland has a growing population and many strong fields, like metal industry, health and diagnostics, service, education and sales. There are about 0,5 million people in the area with good connections to capital region and Sweden and Europe. Turku is one of the largest university hubs in Finland also with Swedish speaking university.

Vacancies

Ship industry has a heavy load right now but the car industry on the other hand is struggling with difficulties. There are plans for big investments and building new factories for medicine companies.

Shortages

Health sector needs workers, especially elderly care. Some seasonal workers also for agriculture. Summer is time when chefs and waiters are needed especially in archipelago area.

Surpluses

Unemployment can be in many jobs, office work, art field, media.

Kanta-Häme

Situated in Southern Finland, about one hour drive from Helsinki area with 170 000 habitants.

Vacancies

There are vacancies in service sector, metal industry, also defence forces have jobs.

Shortages

Nurses, teachers, food industry, cleaners and some sales jobs have largest part of shortages.

Surpluses

Unemployment is problem among construction builders, salesman, truck and lorry drivers, office workers.

South Karelia

Southern Karelia has two bigger towns and rural area with population total 124 500.

Vacancies

Forest industry, service, environment technology

Shortages

Social and health care, hotel and restaurant, some technology occupations and ICT

Surpluses

Unemployment occurs often in office work and sales. Also, drivers and cleaners might have difficulties finding work.

Päijät-Häme

Situated in Southern Finland with 204 000 habitants, large area and many workers are working in capital area or distance work.

Vacancies

Vacancies are in forest industry, teaching and health care.

Shortages

Shortages are among nurses, early education teachers,

Surpluses

Unemployment is largest problem in construction, metal industry, finance and insurance. Also, ICT suffers some structural problems

Kymenlaakso

Kymenlaakso is rural area with 158 400 habitants with two bigger town, Kotka and Kouvola with declining population.

Vacancies

Forest industry and logistics has a bigger role, also agriculture.

Shortages

Employers are looking for nurses, salesmen, cleaners, electric engineers.

Surpluses

Unemployed people are often in the construction or office work.

Northern and Eastern Finland (Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi)

Go directly to Central Ostrobothnia | Lapland | Kainuu | North Ostrobothnia | South Savo | North Savo | North Karelia

With 1 271 344 inhabitants, Northern and Eastern Finland represented about 22.8% of the population in Finland in 2023.

The gross domestic product per capita, adjusted for price levels (PPS) in Northern and Eastern Finland was 117.2% of the EU27 average, well below the national average of 136.4%.

In 2023, more than 603 600 people were active in the labour market in Northern and Eastern Finland. 37% had tertiary education, 51.8% had secondary education, and 11.1% had primary education. The employment rate in Northern and Eastern Finland was 53 % in 2023, 3.7 percentage points lower than the national average in Finland and in line with 2022 figures.

The employment rate for women in 2023 was 51.3%, men had an employment rate of 54.7%, and for the youth the employment rate was 46.6%. The employment rates for women and men were below the national average, while the employment rate for the youth was above the national average.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfe2emprt, Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu), data refer to age group 15 years or over}

The unemployment rate in Northern and Eastern Finland was 6.8% in 2023, in line with the national average in the same year and in line with the previous year.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfu3rt, Statistics | Eurostat, data refer to age group 15 years or over}

Central Ostrobothnia

Population is about 67 800 as a Kokkola biggest town. 10% are Swedish speakers.

Vacancies

Chemical industry, machine and metal industry and food production are strong.

Shortages

Health care and process industry professionals are hard to find.

Surpluses

Some fields can’t find workers at all, but unemployment is biggest among those who don’t have any training.

Lapland

Lapland is Finland’s and the entire EU’s northernmost region. It covers almost a third of the entire area of Finland. Lapland shares a border with the EU Member State Sweden, EEA country Norway, and Russia with population of 176 150.

Vacancies

This year there are fewer open jobs than year 2023, but still tourism is very important. Digital solution as and being part of can bring more activities in the area.

Shortages

There is a constant need for professional and competent employees in the social and healthcare services sector. Jobs (e.g. for home care assistants, qualified nurses, non-medical care assistants, physicians, speech therapists, physiotherapists and dental assistants) Mining and tourism are also important.

Surpluses

The highest number of unemployment is in construction, craft and related trades, as well as in services and sales.

Kainuu

Even though size of Belgium, Kainuu has population of 70 164 and declining.

Vacancies

Mining is important in the area, also metal industry and tourism.

Shortages

There are mostly jobs in service and sales.

Surpluses

Office work and different jobs in culture field are the most difficult ones to employ new work force.

North Ostrobothnia

Population of 418 205 with biggest city Oulu, area offers many training possibilities.

Vacancies

Green transition, windmill parks, public sector are the most important fields hiring new workers.

Shortages

ICT, social and health care, metal industry are the crucial fields which suffer shortages.

Surpluses

Office work, client service and assembly work face often unemployment.

South Savo

South Savo has population of 129 923 habitants with lot of lakes and flourishing travel business.

Vacancies

Permanent jobs are estimated about 49 000 and rural areas are challenging.

Shortages

Qualified nurses and other health care workers are needed. Cleaning sector and transport also needs workers.

Surpluses

Unemployment is still quite high so that’s the most important reserve, with lot of sales and cleaning workers.

North Savo

North Savo has population of 250 000 Kuopio is biggest town with university. Long term unemployment is still high.

Vacancies

Wood production, food industry and metal companies are the backbone of region.

Shortages

Social and health care needs workforce. Hotel and restaurants are still hiring, also cleaners.

Surpluses

Surplus is highest in media, office work and also in ICT and construction.

North Karelia

With 162 300 habitants, situated in East Finland, North Karelia faces yearly about 500 people moving to area. Joensuu is the biggest town.

Vacancies

There are lot of high skilled occupations that are hard to find new workers.

Shortages

Shortages are in health care and Horeca.

Surpluses

Mostly unemployed are office workers, drivers, marketing and cultural occupations.