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11.5.2026 | The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is requesting comments on a proposal to create a new task for the employment authorities. The draft proposal will be circulated for comments from 11 May to 12 June 2026. It partly implements the entry of the Programme of Prime Minister Orpo’s Government concerning rehabilitative work. The aim is to launch activities for persons who have been unemplo...

3.9.2024 | The 2025 budget proposal of Prime Minister Orpo's Government bolsters conditions for economic growth. Economic growth driven by the private sector will also serve to secure the financing base for central government finances. The fast-acting measures to curb indebtedness that were decided on due to the difficult situation in central government finances will move forward.

11.4.2023 | In order to thwart the risk of prolonged unemployment, it is important that people who have been unemployed for longer than a year find work quickly. Long-term unemployment is often related to a diagnosis of an illness and lack of education. Education plays a minor role in the employment plans of the long-term unemployed.

2.6.2021 | Due to the progress made in coronavirus vaccinations and the improved epidemiological situation, demand for labour is on the increase and the labour market is expected to grow sharply already this year. The employment rate will surpass the pre-epidemic level in 2023, but the number of unemployed jobseekers will remain above the level preceding the epidemic.

25.5.2022 | According to the labour market forecast extending until 2024, employment will improve in Finland. The number of employed people will continue to increase, but the rapid post-pandemic growth in employment is expected to slow down towards the end of 2023.

9.11.2021 | According to estimates, 55,000 more people will be employed this year than before and employment will grow by another 22,000 people in 2022. The employment rate is expected to rise to 73.8% in 2023.

30.4.2026 | FINNISH GOVERNMENT PO Box 23, FI-00023 Government, Finland vn.fi/en Tel. +358 295 16001 VALTIONEUVOSTO PL 23, 00023 Valtioneuvosto vn.fi p. 0295 16001 1(6) Measures to support economic growth, employment and households decided on in the government...

14.11.2025 | A turning point is expected in Finland’s labour market by the end of 2025. Growth in employment is projected to accelerate in 2027, and unemployment to begin falling more clearly.

25.3.2026 | The final report of the expert group appointed by the Ministry of Education and Culture examines the decline in young people’s confidence in the future. The group presents 36 recommendations to improve the situation. The final report was submitted to the Minister of Youth, Sport and Physical Activity Mika Poutala on Wednesday, 25 March 2026.

3.6.2026 | The Government submitted its second supplementary budget proposal for 2026 to Parliament on 3 June. The supplementary budget includes employment measures outlined in the spending limits session and investments in counter-drone capabilities and defence more broadly. The proposal also includes an increase to revenue estimates.

22.4.2026 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government has agreed on the General Government Fiscal Plan for 2027–2030. Both the global economy and Finland’s finances are facing challenges. In its spending limits session, the Government focused on new targeted measures to strengthen people’s confidence in the future and improve the conditions for growth and employment.

15.1.2026 | The changes to be made to social assistance will, for example, strengthen the obligations of recipients to apply for full-time work and primary benefits. The overall reform of social assistance aims to clarify the role of social assistance as a last-resort and temporary form of assistance, prevent social exclusion among young people and strengthen general government finances.

11.2.2026 | The demand for skilled labour in the maritime industry is growing. Competence requirements in the sector, especially for highly skilled tasks, are changing. This is the conclusion of a report on the skills needs of the maritime industry published by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment on 11 February 2026.

10.10.2025 | A new report assesses the components of the flexicurity model and its suitability for Finland. The model brings together flexible employment protection legislation, strong unemployment security and a broad, active labour market policy.

18.12.2025 | Finland’s economic recovery has been weaker than expected this year. The general government deficit is wide, and the debt ratio will continue to grow, estimates the Ministry of Finance in its economic forecast published on 18 December.

22.9.2025 | The Government proposes a comprehensive reform of social assistance. The changes to be made would, for example, strengthen the obligations of recipients to apply for full-time work and primary benefits. The aim is to clarify the role of social assistance as a last-resort and temporary form of assistance, prevent social exclusion among young people and strengthen general government finances.

22.9.2025 | The Finnish economy is slowly recovering from recession, with weak employment and economic uncertainty keeping households cautious. The general government debt ratio will stabilise briefly, but not permanently, at the end of the parliamentary term, estimates the Ministry of Finance in its forecast published on 22 September.

22.9.2025 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has today published three memorandums assessing the combined impacts of the Government’s changes to social security during this parliamentary term. The memorandums focus particularly on the impacts of the comprehensive reform of social assistance.

20.5.2025 | The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment’s labour market forecast for spring 2025 predicts that employment will grow next year, but the number of long-term unemployed people threatens to rise to a very high level.

16.6.2025 | Finland’s economy is recovering from recession, but trade disputes and uncertainty are delaying faster growth. Public finances are in dire need of a turnaround, as deficits remain deep and the debt ratio is threatening to rise above 90 per cent, according to the forecast published by the Ministry of Finance on 16 June.