Published: 25 January 2018
Unemployment rate 8.4 per cent in December
According to Statistics Finland’s Labour Force Survey, the number of unemployed persons in December 2017 was 227,000, which was 20,000 higher than one year ago. The unemployment rate was 8.4 per cent, having been 7.9 per cent in December of the year before. There were 48,000 more employed than in December of the previous year. The unemployment rate in the fourth quarter (October to December) was 7.6 per cent, which was 0.4 percentage points lower than in the respective quarter of 2016. In 2017, the unemployment rate was, on average, 8.6 per cent, having been 8.8 per cent in 2016.
Unemployment rate and trend of unemployment rate 2007/12–2017/12, persons aged 15–74
![Unemployment rate and trend of unemployment rate 2007/12–2017/12, persons aged 15–74](tyti_2017_12_2018-01-25_tie_001_en_001.gif)
In December 2017, the number of employed persons was 2,469,000 (margin of error ±33,000), which was 48,000 more than a year earlier. There were 19,000 more employed men and 30,000 more employed women than in December 2016.
In December 2017, the employment rate , that is, the proportion of the employed among persons aged 15 to 64, stood at 69.6 per cent, having been 68.3 per cent one year earlier. From last year’s December, men’s employment rate rose by 0.7 percentage points to 70.4 per cent and women’s by 2.0 percentage points to 68.8 per cent. Adjusted for seasonal and random variation, the trend of the employment rate was 70.7 per cent.
According to Statistics Finland's Labour Force Survey, there were 227,000 unemployed in December 2017 (margin of error ±18,000), i.e. 20,000 more than one year earlier. The number of unemployed men was 125,000 and that of women 103,000.
At 8.4 per cent, the unemployment rate in December was 0.6 percentage points higher than one year earlier. Men’s unemployment rate was 8.9 per cent and women’s 7.9 per cent. The trend of the unemployment rate was 8.4 per cent.
In December, there were a total of 624,000 young people aged 15 to 24 . Of them, 249,000 were employed and 46,000 unemployed. The number of young people in the active population, i.e. the employed and unemployed in total, was 295,000. In December, the unemployment rate for young people aged 15 to 24, that is, the proportion of the unemployed among the labour force, stood at 15.5 per cent, which was 0.8 percentage points higher than one year previously. The trend of the unemployment rate among young people was 18.8 per cent. The share of unemployed young people aged 15 to 24 among the population in the same age group was 7.3 per cent.
There were 1,423,000 persons in the inactive population in December 2017, which was 58,000 fewer than one year earlier. Of the inactive population, 145,000 persons were in disguised unemployment , which was 21,000 fewer than in December 2016.
Changes in employment 2016/12 – 2017/12 according to Statistics Finland’s Labour Force Survey, population aged 15 to 74
Year/Month | Change | ||
2016/12 | 2017/12 | 2016/12 - 2017/12 | |
1000 persons | Per cent, % | ||
Population total | 4 109 | 4 119 | 0,2 |
Active population total | 2 628 | 2 697 | 2,6 |
Employed | 2 421 | 2 469 | 2,0 |
– employees | 2 095 | 2 157 | 2,9 |
– self-employed persons and unpaid family workers | 326 | 312 | –4,1 |
Unemployed | 207 | 227 | 9,8 |
Inactive population | 1 481 | 1 423 | –3,9 |
– Persons in disguised unemployment | 166 | 145 | –12,7 |
Per cent, % | Percentage points | ||
Employment rate, persons aged 15–64 | 68,3 | 69,6 | 1,3 |
Unemployment rate | 7,9 | 8,4 | 0,6 |
Activity rate | 64,0 | 65,5 | 1,5 |
Unrounded figures are used in the
Change column. The data comply with the ILO/EU definition. |
Labour Force Survey data for the fourth quarter of 2017
The average number of employed persons in the fourth quarter of 2017 was 2,486,000, or 59,000 higher than in the corresponding quarter of 2016. The number of employed persons increased most in professional, scientific and technical activities (M) and education (P).
The number of hours actually worked by employed persons was 1.8 per cent higher in the fourth quarter of 2017 than twelve months previously.
The average number of unemployed persons in the fourth quarter of 2017 was 205,000, which was 8,000 fewer than in the October to December period of 2016. The unemployment rate in the fourth quarter of 2017 was 7.6 per cent, which was 0.4 percentage points lower than in the respective period of 2016.
In the fourth quarter of 2017, the number of persons in the inactive population was 1,429,000, which was 42,000 fewer than a year earlier. Of the inactive population, 142,000 persons were in disguised unemployment , which was 25,000 fewer than in the corresponding period of 2016.
Changes in employment 2016/IV – 2017/IV according to Statistics Finland’s Labour Force Survey, population aged 15 to 74
Year/Quarter | Change | ||
2016/IV | 2017/IV | 2016/IV - 2017/IV | |
1000 persons | Per cent (%) | ||
Active population total | 2 639 | 2 690 | 1,9 |
Employed persons total | 2 427 | 2 486 | 2,4 |
Unemployed total | 212 | 205 | –3,6 |
– men | 115 | 113 | –2,0 |
– women | 98 | 92 | –5,5 |
Inactive population | 1 470 | 1 429 | –2,8 |
– Persons in disguised unemployment | 167 | 142 | –14,8 |
Unrounded figures are used in the
Change column. The data comply with the ILO/EU definition. |
Labour Force Survey annual averages for 2017
In 2017, the average number of employed persons was 2,473,000, which was 25,000 more than in 2016. In 2017, the employment rate was 69.6 per cent, having been 68.7 per cent in 2016.
The unemployment rate was, on average, 8.6 per cent in 2017, having been 8.8 per cent in 2016. In 2017, the average number of unemployed persons was 234,000, which was slightly lower than in 2016.
The number of hours actually worked by employed persons was 0.7 per cent higher in 2017 than in 2016. The amount of labour input per employed person remained almost unchanged.
The annual averages from the Labour Force Survey for the year 2017 are published in the appendix tables of this publication and in the database tables of Statistics Finland's Labour Force Survey . A general review on annual data concerning 2017 and on time series data for 2008 to 2017 will be released on 12 April 2018.
Employment Service Statistics of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
At the end of December 2017, there were altogether 296,000 persons registered in accordance with the Employment Office Regulations as unemployed job seekers at the employment and economic development offices . The number of unemployed job seekers was 63,000 lower than in December 2016.
Unemployment fell in December from the corresponding period in 2016 in the areas of all Employment and Economic Development Centres: most in Satakunta (–25%), Pirkanmaa (–25%) and Ostrobothnia (–22%). At the end of December, the number of fully laid off persons registered at the employment and economic development offices was 17,000, which was 10,000 fewer than twelve months earlier.
The number of persons engaged in services included in the activation rate totalled 115,000 at the end of December, which was the almost same number as in December of the year before. Altogether, 4.2 per cent of the labour force was covered by labour market policy services.
There were 38,000 unemployed job seekers aged under 25 registered at the employment and economic development offices. Their number was 10,000 lower than in December of the previous year. During last December, 40,000 new vacancies were reported to the employment and economic development offices, which was 3,000 more than in December 2016.
Changes 2016/12–2017/12 according to the Employment Service Statistics of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Year/Month | Change | ||
2016/12 | 2017/12 | 2016/12 - 2017/12 | |
1000 persons | Per cent, % | ||
Unemployed job seekers | 358 | 296 | –17,5 |
– unemployed over a year | 122 | 92 | –24,9 |
Services, total | 114 | 115 | 0,4 |
– employed | 22 | 23 | 5,6 |
– in labour market training, in training | 21 | 19 | –11,3 |
– engaged in work/training trials | 10 | 9 | –6,1 |
– as a job alternation substitute, in rehabilitative work, self-motivated studies supported by unemployment benefit | 61 | 63 | 3,6 |
New vacancies at employment and economic development offices | 37 | 40 | 8,7 |
Unrounded figures are used in the Change column. |
Contact information for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and
Employment:
Petri Syvänen tel. +358 29 504 8050, http://www.temtyollisyyskatsaus.fi
Links
Labour Force Survey tables in databases
About seasonally adjusted trend
The accuracy of figures and the margins of error are explained in the quality description of the Labour Force Survey .
Latest seasonally adjusted employment figures published by the EU can be found on Eurostat's home page http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat
Latest data on open job vacancies published by the EU can be found on Eurostat's home page http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat
Source: Labour force survey 2017, December. Statistics Finland
Inquiries: Joanna Viinikka 029 551 3796, Kirsi Toivonen 029 551 3535, tyovoimatutkimus@stat.fi
Director in charge: Jari Tarkoma
Publication in pdf-format (747.4 kB)
- Tables
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Tables in databases
Pick the data you need into tables, view the data as graphs, or download the data for your use.
Appendix tables
- Appendix table 1. Key indicators in the Labour Force Survey by sex 2016/12 - 2017/12 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 2. Population aged 15-74 by labour force status and sex 2016/12 - 2017/12 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 3. Population by sex and age 2016/12 - 2017/12 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 4. Active population by sex and age 2016/12 - 2017/12 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 5. Activity rates by sex and age 2016/12 - 2017/12 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 6. Employed persons by sex and age 2016/12 - 2017/12 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 7. Employment rates by sex and age 2016/12 - 2017/12 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 8. Employed persons aged 15-74 by status in employment 2016/12 - 2017/12 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 9. Employed persons aged 15-74 by employer sector 2016/12 - 2017/12 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 10. Employed persons aged 15-74 by Regional State Administrative Agencies (AVI) 2016/12 - 2017/12 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 11. Part-time employed persons aged 15-74 by sex 2016/12 - 2017/12 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 12. Proportion of part-time employed persons in all employed persons aged 15-74 by sex 2016/12 - 2017/12, % (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 13. Employees aged 15-74 by type of employment relationship 2016/12 - 2017/12 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 14. Employees aged 15-74 by type of employment relationship 2016/12 - 2017/12, % (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 15. Unemployed persons by sex and age 2016/12 - 2017/12 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 16. Unemployment rates by sex and age 2016/12 - 2017/12 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 17. Unemployment rates by Regional State Administrative Agencies (AVI) 2016/12 - 2017/12, persons aged 15-74 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 18. Seasonally adjusted trends 2017/12 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 19. Key indicators in the Labour Force Survey by sex 2016/IV - 2017/IV (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 20. Population aged 15-74 by labour force status and sex 2016/IV - 2017/IV (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 21. Population by sex and age 2016/IV - 2017/IV (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 22. Active population by sex and age 2016/IV - 2017/IV (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 23. Activity rates by sex and age 2016/IV - 2017/IV (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 24. Employed persons by sex and age 2016/IV - 2017/IV (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 25. Employment rates by sex and age 2016/IV - 2017/IV (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 26. Employed persons aged 15-74 by status in employment 2016/IV - 2017/IV (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 27. Employed persons aged 15-74 by employer sector 2016/IV - 2017/IV (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 28. Employed persons aged 15-74 by industry (TOL 2008) 2016/IV - 2017/IV (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 29. Hours actually worked of employed persons aged 15-74 by industry (TOL 2008) 2016/IV - 2017/IV (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 30. Employed persons aged 15-74 by Regional State Administrative Agencies (AVI) 2016/IV - 2017/IV (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 31. Employed persons aged 15-74 by region (2011) 2016/IV - 2017/IV (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 32. Part-time employed persons aged 15-74 by sex 2016/IV - 2017/IV (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 33. Proportion of part-time employed persons in all employed persons aged 15-74 by sex 2016/IV - 2017/IV, % (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 34. Employees aged 15-74 by industry (TOL 2008) 2016/IV - 2017/IV (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 35. Hours actually worked of employees aged 15-74 by industry (TOL 2008) 2016/IV - 2017/IV (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 36. Employees aged 15-74 by type of employment relationship 2016/IV - 2017/IV (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 37. Employees aged 15-74 by type of employment relationship 2016/IV - 2017/IV, % (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 38. Different types of employment relationships less than 12 month's duration 2016/IV - 2017/IV, persons aged 15-74 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 39. Different types of employment relationships less than 12 month's duration 2016/IV - 2017/IV, persons aged 15-74, % (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 40. Unemployed persons by sex and age 2016/IV - 2017/IV (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 41. Unemployment rate by sex and age 2016/IV - 2017/IV (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 42. Unemployment rates by Regional State Administrative Agencies (AVI) 2016/IV - 2017/IV (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 43. Unemployment rates by region (2011) 2016/IV - 2017/IV (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 44. Key indicators in the Labour Force Survey by sex in 2015 - 2017 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 45. Population aged 15-74 by labour force status and sex in 2015 - 2017 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 46. Employment rates by sex and age in 2015 - 2017 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 47. Employed person aged 15-74 by educational level and sex in 2014 - 2016 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 48. Employed persons aged 15-74 by industry (TOL 2008) in 2015 - 2017 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 49. Hours actually worked by employed persons aged 15-74 by industry (TOL 2008) in 2015 - 2017 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 50. Employed persons aged 15-74 by employer sector and sex in 2015 - 2017 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 51. Employed persons aged 15-74 by region (2011) in 2015 - 2017 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 52. Employees aged 15-74 by type of employment relationship and sex in 2015 - 2017 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 53. Unemployment rates by sex and age in 2015 - 2017 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 54. Unemployment rates by region (2011) in 2015 - 2017, persons aged 15-74 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix table 55. Unemployment rates by educational level and sex in 2014 - 2016, persons aged 15-74 (25.1.2018)
- Figures
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- Appendix figure 1. Employment rate and trend of employment rate 2007/12 - 2017/12, persons aged 15 - 64 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix figure 2. Unemployment rate and trend of unemployment rate 2007/12 - 2017/12, persons aged 15 - 74 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix figure 3. Employment rate and trend of employment rate 1989/01 - 2017/12, persons aged 15 - 64 (25.1.2018)
- Appendix figure 4. Unemployment rate and trend of unemployment rate 1989/01 - 2017/12, persons aged 15 - 74 (25.1.2018)
- Quality descriptions
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- Quality Description: Labour force survey (25.1.2018)
Updated 25.1.2018
Official Statistics of Finland (OSF):
Labour force survey [e-publication].
ISSN=1798-7857. December 2017. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 17.8.2024].
Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/tyti/2017/12/tyti_2017_12_2018-01-25_tie_001_en.html