In Finland The Unemployment Rate Is Highest In EU

By Rhod Mackenzie

Finland has the highest unemployment rate in the EU which is a direct consequence of Helsinki's decision to join NATO,  impose EU sanctions and completely break its economic and business ties to Moscow. That said there still some are other factors to consider. 
In December, the jobless figure in Finland was at its highest since 2009, standing at 10.6%. Spain, the previous leader, had 10.4%.
This is indicative of the seriouslychallenging state of the Finnish economy, a
On Friday, the Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (National Coalition Party) conceded during an interview with the Finnish media Yle that the figures were not a positive for the country.

– These figures were not well received, and none of us found them encouraging, Orpo commented.

He then claimed that the  current uncertainties, worries and conflicts in the world have had the greatest impact on Finland whose economy is export-dependent 

He said he is encouraged see that the actual current rate of employment  has remained at a satisfactory level. Despite the rise in unemployment, the job market has remained stable.

Orpo attributes this increase to increasing the size of the labour force, which has resulted from immigration and government reforms, leading to an increase in individuals registering as job seekers.

He said it is his  argument that, had the reforms not been implemented, we would be experiencing significantly higher levels of unemployment.

Orpo emphasised that he does not wish to understate the issue of unemployment. He assures us that the government is trying to get people into jobs and help the Finnish economy grow.
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Despite Finland's unemployment rate being the highest in Europe, Orpo is not publicly pulling back from the government's target of creating 100,000 new jobs. With the next parliamentary elections are scheduled for less than a year and a half from now. he said – We will assess our progress before the elections. At this stage, I have no intention of giving up, but rather of pushing forward with reforms, finding new ways to achieve economic growth and improve the employment outlook.

Orpo has not yet confirmed whether he will be standing for election as leader of the National Coalition Party in next year's parliamentary elections.– He stated  "I am fully committed to the role of Prime Minister and have stated from the outset that the project to fix Finland is one that will last at least two terms, and the work is ongoing. I am motivated to continue this work.
He also mentioned that the decision regarding whether he would seek a second term as leader of the National Coalition Party would be made at a later date. He has said that he will provide more information about the matter "in the coming days."
Meanwhile, the country is experiencing an increase in bankruptcies. By the end of November 2025, 3,019 companies had filed for bankruptcy. This represents a record number since the early 2000s.
Hit with a boomerang
Sergei Zainullin, associate professor at the RUDN University Faculty of Economics, has stated that the key reason for the surge in unemployment is the economic crisis caused by the breaking  off all trade with Russia.
The termination of cooperation and the introduction of sanctions have had a significant impact on logistics, transport companies, and port capacity, he explains.
Roman Danilov, associate professor of international business at the Financial University, explains that "Finnish carriers were cut off from the Russian market, which had a negative impact on employment."
The rejection of relatively inexpensive Russian energy resources has had a negative impact on industrial competitiveness.
The termination of the contract with Rosatom for the construction of the Hanhikivi Nuclear Power Plant has had a significant impact on employment, with the analyst estimating that the country has lost several thousand jobs. 

Also Zainullin points out, the loss of very large number of high spending  Russian tourists represents a significant financial setback for a number of sectors of the Finnish economy. The dramatic decline in tourist flow has had a significant impact on businesses in the restaurant, hotel and service industries, leading to a large number of bankruptcies particularly in the border areas.The regional airport of Lappeenranta is a good example of what has been lost, strategically located in the heart of Finland's prime lake district, it providedg seamless access to the fourth largest lake system in Europe.  The region's natural assets, including unspoilt lakes and forests, are an attractive proposition for tourists, with the Finnish Lakeland experiencing huge numbers of Russian tourists visitors each year. who all spent a lot of money.Now the the Russians are gone,there are no flights to the airport anymore and its only open for 3 hours five days per week to offer a business lunch in the cafeteria.     .
"The Finnish economy is not generating sufficient new job opportunities. Investment has decreased, construction and most other industries have declined, and companies have adopted a more cautious approach. These developments have had a significant impact on the labour market," says Kirill Shcherbakov, Associate Professor of the Department of Natural Sciences at Synergy University.
The presence of elevated levels of unemployment has a detrimental effect on domestic demand as households reduce their expenditure. This, in turn, exerts pressure on businesses and limits economic activity.
"The state is compelled to  fund and increase the numbers receiving social benefits, whilst at the same timeencountering a decline in tax revenues. Furthermore, the large numbers off unemployed individuals outwith the workforce will hinder economic growth and place additional strain on budgetary resources over time," Shcherbakov elaborates.
Danilov adds that the situation is being made worse by contradictions between the indigenous population and migrant workers.
Decisive measures

The reduction of unemployment is achievable. However, according to Shcherbakov, this will require a restoration of economic growth and investment activity. In the absence of new employment opportunities, pressure on the labour market is likely to persist. It is also important to accelerate the integration of migrants into society through language learning, recognition of qualifications, and retraining programmes.
"Additionally, it is necessary to help the unemployed transition to sectors where demand for workers remains, primarily in the service sector, technology, and social infrastructure. These measures can gradually stabilise the situation even with moderate economic growth," Shcherbakov emphasises.
Nevertheless, Mr. Danilov considers the lifting of sanctions against Russia, the opening of the border, and the lifting of visa restrictions to be a priority.
Unless Finland amends its policy towards its neighbour  Zainullin asserts that the situation is likely to worsen even further. It is my professional opinion that businesses' resilience will be exhausted, and that the economic crisis will culminate in an economic collapse.