The Finland employment crisis is hitting harder than expected, and Prime Minister Petteri Orpo admits it. Speaking from New York, where he attended the UN High-Level Political Forum, Orpo called the latest job numbers distressing but insisted they are the result of global disruption, not his government’s failures.
Statistics Finland reported that 64,000 jobs have been lost since Orpo’s cabinet took office in 2023. The unemployment rate now stands at 10.2 percent. That kind of jump is enough to raise concern in any economy, especially in a country known for its strong social safety nets and relatively stable job market.
“There’s no getting around it,” Orpo told Yle by phone. “These employment figures are distressing.”
Orpo was quick to redirect the blame toward the international economy. He pointed to outside pressures like weak global demand, investment delays, and trade tensions that have lingered since the Trump administration.
“These are factors that affect a small, open economy like Finland,” he said. “We must continue to work determinedly to improve our competitiveness and get investments moving.”
While some might see this as deflection, others agree that Finland’s heavy reliance on exports makes it particularly vulnerable. Still, critics question whether the government’s tight fiscal stance and cuts in public spending are making things worse.
The official goal set by the current government is to create 100,000 new jobs by 2027. To achieve that, the country would now need to gain 164,000 jobs in less than two years.
Orpo remained optimistic, pointing to recent investments by companies like Fazer, which is expanding its Lahti factory, and the growing interest in data centers across the country. He also cited a rise in job openings as a hopeful sign.
“So this situation is not hopeless,” he said. “But the uncertainty must be removed globally. I believe that the economy will start growing after that.”
What stands out most in the data is how uneven the impact has been. Since the start of Orpo’s administration, 46,000 women have left the workforce compared to 18,000 men. The sectors hardest hit, such as retail, education, and healthcare, are heavily staffed by women.
Meanwhile, male-dominated industries like construction have seen slight recovery since spring. This has widened the gender gap in employment, something Orpo was asked about directly.
He declined to comment on the claim that government budget cuts have made it harder for women to stay employed. But statistics show that public sector downsizing, especially in social and healthcare services, has mostly affected female workers.
According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, many layoffs across welfare regions have hit women the hardest. Experts say that without adjustments to labor market policies, the gap could widen even further.
Orpo believes there is still a path forward. He mentioned defence investments across the EU, particularly in Germany, that could have spillover benefits for Finnish industries. But he also stressed the need for long-term structural reforms if Finland wants to stay competitive.
“This is not about giving up on our goals,” Orpo said. “We are pursuing them with consistency and responsibility.”
For now, the Finland employment crisis remains a slow burn. Whether it is global markets or domestic decisions to blame, the pressure is rising. And the 2027 deadline to create 100,000 new jobs is starting to look like a ticking clock.
