Finland has experienced a notable increase in its unemployment rate, which reached 9.3% in August 2025, compared to 7.5% during the same period the previous year. The rise in unemployment is attributed to a significant increase in the number of unemployed individuals, which climbed by 53,000 to a total of 267,000. Conversely, the number of employed persons fell by 23,000, bringing the total employment figure to approximately 2.594 million.
Of particular concern is the youth unemployment rate among individuals aged 15 to 24, which surged to 16.6%, marking a 3.6 percentage point increase from the previous year. This rise highlights ongoing challenges faced by young people in securing employment opportunities.
In terms of broader labor force dynamics, the activity rate for individuals aged 15 to 74 showed a slight improvement, rising to 68.7% from 68.2% a year earlier. However, the employment rate for those aged 20 to 64 experienced a decline, falling to 76.2% from a previous 76.9%.
While the data underscores troubling aspects of the labor market, such as the increase in unemployment and youth joblessness, the rise in the overall activity rate suggests there is still a degree of engagement in the labor market, presenting potential for recovery and growth. Addressing the specific challenges faced by the youth and improving job opportunities could be crucial steps in stabilizing and enhancing Finland’s economic outlook.