Finns work for income more than personal fulfilment, according to a new national survey, reflecting a steady change in how many people view their careers and daily lives.
For a growing number of people in Finland, a job is no longer the centre of life. Instead, it is becoming a practical way to pay the bills, support a family, travel, enjoy hobbies, and create time for the things that matter most outside the workplace.
A new survey by the Finnish Business and Policy Forum (EVA) shows that attitudes towards work have changed significantly over the past 15 years. While employment remains important, many Finns now place greater value on financial security, personal wellbeing, and a healthy balance between work and free time than on finding purpose through their careers alone.
The survey, based on responses collected in autumn 2025, found that 61 percent of respondents see paid work mainly as a way to finance other parts of their lives. That figure has increased by 14 percentage points since 2010, showing a clear long-term shift in priorities.
More than half of those surveyed, 56 percent, said work is simply a way to earn a living. Only 14 percent said they would continue doing their current job if they no longer needed the income.
These findings suggest that while people still value employment, fewer see their job as the main source of personal satisfaction or identity.
The survey does not suggest that Finns have stopped caring about work. Instead, it points to a changing relationship between work and everyday life.
Around 43 percent of respondents said work is the most important part of a person’s life, while 46 percent disagreed. The results are close to the levels recorded before the Covid-19 pandemic, suggesting that views have stabilized after several years of disruption.
According to EVA Research Director Ilkka Haavisto, the findings should not be mistaken for a decline in work ethic.
He said Finns are still willing to work, but many now see employment as something that supports other goals rather than defining their lives.
This shift carries wider economic implications. Finland’s welfare system relies on strong employment and tax revenue. If work becomes less attractive or rewarding, policymakers may need to rethink how they encourage people to remain active in the labour market.
The survey found significant differences between generations.
People over the age of 65 were the most likely to believe work is the most important part of life. Nearly three out of four respondents in this age group shared that opinion.
Among adults aged 26 to 35, only 34 percent felt the same way, making them the least likely age group to place work at the centre of their lives.
Interestingly, younger adults aged 18 to 25 did not completely reject traditional ideas about work. About 43 percent said work is the most important part of life, matching the national average.
Researchers believe this may indicate that younger generations are developing a more balanced perspective instead of turning away from work altogether.
The desire for more personal time was one of the strongest themes in the survey.
Around 35 percent of employed respondents said they would like to spend less time working. Only 10 percent wanted to increase their working hours.
Even more revealing, 43 percent said they would accept lower pay if it meant shorter working hours and more free time.
These findings show that many people are willing to trade part of their income for a better quality of life.
Rather than chasing longer hours or higher salaries, many workers appear to be placing greater importance on time with family, personal interests, health, and rest.
The survey also challenges the idea that people can simply be divided into hardworking or lazy.
According to Haavisto, most Finns want several things at the same time. They want stable income, meaningful work, and enough free time to enjoy life outside the office.
That balancing act is becoming one of the biggest challenges for employers and policymakers alike.
Creating jobs that offer competitive pay, flexibility, and a sense of purpose may become increasingly important if Finland wants to maintain high employment in the years ahead.
The survey also looked at how people feel about relationships at work.
Only 36 percent said their workplace had provided important friendships or a strong sense of community.
Meanwhile, 21 percent said their job had given them few or no meaningful friendships or feelings of belonging.
These results suggest that many people are no longer relying on work as their main source of social connection. Instead, relationships outside the workplace may be playing a larger role in their lives.
The survey reflects a broader cultural change rather than a rejection of work itself.
Many Finns continue to value employment, but they increasingly see it as one part of a well-rounded life instead of its defining purpose.
Financial stability remains essential, yet personal time, family life, health, and meaningful experiences are becoming just as important.
For employers, this shift highlights the growing demand for flexible working arrangements and healthier workplace cultures.
For policymakers, it raises important questions about how to keep work attractive in a society where people increasingly value life beyond the workplace.
The survey was conducted by Taloustutkimus between 7 and 20 October 2025 using an online panel of 2,038 people aged 18 to 79 living across mainland Finland. The reported margin of error is between two and three percentage points.
