Finland sees early signs of labour market turnaround as employment rises

According to Statistics Finland, August saw a rise in the number of people employed and a small reduction in the unemployed, indicating a possible reversal in labour market dynamics. Sami Pakarinen, an economist at the Confederation of Finnish Industries, highlighted the encouraging employment figures and their implications for the year ahead. The statistical office warned that trend indicators can shift when subsequent months' data are incorporated.

Senior demographer Tatu Leskinen emphasized that the change in unemployment is modest and that more data are needed for a firm assessment. He also observed a decrease in the number of men outside the labour force, with much of the employment growth coming from male workers. Seasonal job trends for young people remain weak, with summer job offers declining over recent years.