Finland: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Finland?

The trend unemployment rate for people aged 15 to 74 was 10.1% in August 2026, according to Statistics Finland's Labour Force Survey. There were 262,000 unemployed people and 2,628,000 employed; the number employed was 34,000 higher than a year earlier, and the number unemployed 5,000 lower.

The trend figure smooths out the large month-to-month swings in the survey and is the one Statistics Finland highlights. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment also publishes a count of jobseekers registered at employment services, which is higher and measures something different. The Labour Force Survey is published monthly, about three weeks after the month ends.

Official sources: Statistics Finland: Labour Force Survey, August 2026 · Statistics Finland: Labour force survey

What is the average salary in Finland?

Full-time wage and salary earners in Finland earned EUR 4,350 a month on average in July to September 2026, according to Statistics Finland's preliminary data published on 15 October 2026. The index of wage and salary earnings rose 3.5% from a year earlier, and real earnings rose 1.2% after allowing for consumer prices.

The figure is gross pay before tax for full-time employees, and the mean is pulled up by high earners, so a typical worker earns less. Earnings rose most, 5.9%, in the administration of the wellbeing services counties. Statistics Finland says differences between sectors mainly reflect the timing of pay rises in collective agreements, which set most pay in Finland.

Official sources: Statistics Finland: Index of wage and salary earnings, Q3 2026

What is the employment rate in Finland?

The trend employment rate for people aged 20 to 64 was 75.9% in August 2026, according to Statistics Finland's Labour Force Survey. The unsmoothed monthly figure was 77.3%. Employment among men rose by 32,000 over the year, while the number of employed women was about the same as in August 2025.

The 20 to 64 age band is the one used for the EU's employment targets. The Labour Force Survey counts anyone who did at least one hour of paid work in the survey week as employed. Monthly figures are survey estimates with a margin of error, which is why Statistics Finland emphasises the trend series.

Official sources: Statistics Finland: Labour Force Survey, August 2026

How much is unemployment benefit in Finland?

Kela's general social security benefit for unemployed people is EUR 37.21 a day, or EUR 800.02 a month on average, according to Kela. The benefit replaced the basic unemployment allowance and labour market subsidy from 1 May 2026, at the same daily rate.

This is the flat-rate benefit for people who are not members of an unemployment fund or who do not qualify for an earnings-related allowance. Members of an unemployment fund who meet the work condition apply to their fund for an earnings-related allowance, which is higher. The benefit is taxable, and earnings and in some cases parents' income reduce it, as Kela's page explains.

Official sources: Kela: General social security benefit during unemployment

What is the retirement age in Finland?

The earnings-related retirement age depends on year of birth: 64 years and 9 months for people born in 1961 and 65 for people born in 1962 to 1964, according to Työeläke.fi, the pension information service of the Finnish Centre for Pensions. For people born in 1956 it was 63 years and 6 months.

For people born in 1965 or later the retirement age is linked to changes in life expectancy, so it will be confirmed later for each age group. Retiring later than the lowest age increases the pension. The national pension, paid by Kela to people with little or no earnings-related pension, has its own age rules.

Official sources: Työeläke.fi: Old-age pension and retirement age

How much do workers in Finland earn on average?

$5,760 a month: that is average monthly earnings of employees in Finland for 2025, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012. Europe & Central Asia median: $3,252 a month; Finland is 8th highest of 32. Of 57 countries with 2025 data, 9th highest.

What is Finland's unemployment rate?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 9.5%. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 9.6%; its low point was 2008, at 6.4%. It is 8th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 5.5%. Worldwide: 33rd of 174.

How many young people in Finland are unemployed?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 21.5%. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 26.8%; its low point was 2022, at 14.1%. It is 10th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 14.2%. World rank, highest first: 37th of 174.

How many people in Finland are working or looking for work?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate in Finland was 59.7%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 58.5% (2016) to 62.3% (2006). Europe & Central Asia median: 60.3%; Finland is 26th highest of 47. Worldwide: 103rd of 174.

What share of women in Finland are in the labour force?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate for women in Finland at 56.5% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 58.3%; its low point was 2016, at 55.0%. It is 19th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 54.6%. Worldwide: 70th of 174.

What is the employment rate in Finland?

According to the ILO, the employment to population ratio in Finland was 54.0% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 57.5%; its low point was 2015, at 53.3%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 56.6%, and Finland placed 33rd highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 118th of 174.

How common is self-employment in Finland?

In 2025, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Finland was 9.5%, according to the ILO. The peak was 11.0% in 2015 and the low 9.3% in 2008. Europe & Central Asia median: 11.0%; Finland is 31st highest of 47. Worldwide: 145th of 174.

How many people in Finland are employees?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are paid employees in Finland at 87.5% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 87.7%; its low point was 2015, at 85.7%. Europe & Central Asia median: 85.5%; Finland is 14th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 25th of 174.