Finland

**Recent data (primarily from Statistics Finland Labour Force Survey releases in July–August 2026) show youth unemployment (15–24) fluctuating at elevated levels, with overall rates around 16.9–19.3% in June–July 2026 and trend figures near 22–22.6%.**[[1]](https://stat.fi/en/publication/cmfp8yzuea5vn08urwynnatzy)[[2]](https://tradingeconomics.com/finland/unemployment-rate/news/577788)[[3]](https://stat.fi/fi/julkaisu/cmfp92ulja76508urnykex72w)

This aligns closely with the 2025 baseline of 22.2% for males aged 15–24 (annual figures for the broader 15–24 group were ~21.8% in 2025 per Statista).[[4]](https://www.statista.com/statistics/524222/finland-unemployment-rate-by-age-group/) Monthly male 15–24 rates have shown volatility (e.g., 36.7% in May 2026 per OECD/FRED data).[[5]](https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/LRHU24MAFIM156N) Overall unemployment stood at 9.9–10.0% in June–July 2026 (up slightly YoY), with male rates at 10.0% (slightly down YoY) while female rates rose more noticeably.[[2]](https://tradingeconomics.com/finland/unemployment-rate/news/577788)[[3]](https://stat.fi/fi/julkaisu/cmfp92ulja76508urnykex72w) No major new ILO or World Bank releases specific to Finland appeared in the last 60 days; global ILO youth trends (e.g., slight uptick in some regions) provide broader context but not Finland-specific updates.[[6]](https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/2026-08/9789220437612_PDFA_Web_ENG.pdf)

**Key events affecting young men (18–35) include political pressure on the government over youth joblessness.** On June 17, 2026, the Orpo coalition survived a confidence vote (102–83) triggered by opposition concerns about climbing youth unemployment and eroding future optimism among young people (noted ~76,000 under-30s unemployed, or roughly 1 in 5 under 25).[[7]](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-17/finland-government-survives-vote-over-climbing-youth-joblessness)[[8]](https://www.eduskunta.fi/valtiopaivaasiakirjat/VK+4/2026) A postal workers’ walkout (Aug 19–20, 2026) over planned job cuts at Posti caused temporary mail delays but was not youth-specific.[[9]](https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/29178-posti-walkout-expected-to-delay-mail-across-finland.html)

Social security and labor reforms under the current government have drawn scrutiny: An August 23, 2026, Labore study estimated the changes left ~99,000 more people in low-income households (with ~28,000 more employed people affected), pushing the poverty rate among the unemployed to ~56% in 2025 and reducing disposable income for some benefit recipients.[[10]](https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/29188-labore-social-security-cuts-push-nearly-100-000-more-people-into-low-income.html)[[11]](https://yle.fi/a/74-20241461) An August 16 Helsingin Sanomat editorial highlighted risks of marginalization for young men (typically 18–34) on toimeentulotuki (last-resort social assistance), noting stricter rules led to ~12,000 recipients (often in this group) facing cuts or requirements they struggle to meet due to skill or initiative gaps.[[12]](https://www.hs.fi/paakirjoitukset/art-2000012199795.html) No coups, militia recruitment, large-scale youth protests, or currency/economic shocks were reported.

**Notable 2025/2026 reports on youth include:**

- The 2025 Nuorisobarometri (published ~March 2026) found work/finding a job as the top source of pressure for youth (70% affected, 50% reporting insecurity); future optimism had declined.[[13]](https://nuorisotutkimus.fi/nuorisobarometri-tyo-on-nuorten-suurin-paineiden-aiheuttaja/)
- A March 2026 Ministry of Education and Culture expert group report and related analyses documented falling “tulevaisuususko” (faith in the future) among 15–29-year-olds.[[14]](https://helda.helsinki.fi/bitstreams/e7788fd9-cf1d-4162-a205-438a3079f9da/download)
- An August 2026 “Eriarvoisuuden tila Suomessa 2026” publication (Kalevi Sorsa Foundation) analyzed inequality impacts from cuts.[[11]](https://yle.fi/a/74-20241461)
- May 2026 Nuorisoala reports noted rising youth unemployment (e.g., >24% for under-25s in Q1) and varying municipal youth work resources.[[15]](https://nuorisoala.fi/nuorten-tyottomyys-jatkaa-kasvuaan-ja-nuorisotyon-resurssit-vaihtelee-kunnittain-tuoreet-katsaukset-nuorista-ja-nuorisoalasta-on-julkaistu/)
- Housing data: Youth homelessness (under 25) rose 37% in 2025 to 761 individuals.[[16]](https://nal.fi/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Nuorten-asunnottomuus-2026.pdf)
- OECD analysis (April 2026) flagged declining youth employment/NEET trends since 2019, with particular concerns for young men.[[17]](https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2026/04/well-being-along-the-life-course-in-finland_435c6448/4bddb2df-en.pdf)

These largely predate the strict last-60-day window but remain highly relevant to the ongoing picture.

**Internet/mobile infrastructure saw a positive transition rather than disruptions.** On June 30, 2026, Finland’s last nationwide copper landline network was shut down by Elisa (after similar moves by other operators), ending ~150 years of service and completing a shift to fiber/mobile/digital alternatives.[[18]](https://www.rfi.fr/br/europa/20260630-finl%C3%A2ndia-ber%C3%A7o-da-nokia-desliga-rede-de-telefonia-fixa-ap%C3%B3s-quase-150-anos-de-exist%C3%AAncia)[[19]](https://gulfnews.com/world/europe/finland-ends-nearly-150-years-of-landline-service-as-fixed-line-network-goes-silent-1.500592617) This involved ongoing decommissioning of poles and lines into 2027–2028 but reflects modernization with no reported access shutdowns or coverage losses; 5G and fiber coverage remain strong or improving.[[20]](https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/dae/redirection/document/128604)

**Overall assessment relative to baseline:** Youth unemployment remains high and volatile but has not shown dramatic further deterioration in the latest monthly figures (with some monthly declines). Sustained pressure from social cuts, rising low-income/poverty risks, and documented declines in youth future optimism—particularly affecting young men—represent incremental negative factors that could modestly elevate instability risks. No acute events (protests, violence, or infrastructure failures) were identified that would signal a significant shift from the 40.1/100 fuse score. Primary sources are Statistics Finland (stat.fi), Trading Economics, Yle, and OECD-linked data.

**Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus / StatFin PxWeb database and API)** — National statistics bureau with detailed labor force survey data (unemployment, employment by age/youth groups 15-24/15-29, etc.).  
URL: https://pxdata.stat.fi/PXWeb/pxweb/en/StatFin/ (or https://stat.fi/en).  
API: Yes (PxWeb REST API supporting JSON, JSON-stat, CSV, etc.; also bulk downloads and machine-readable tables).  
Update frequency: Monthly/quarterly for Labour Force Survey; annual for some employment stats.  
Auth: None (free/open data).[[1]](https://stat.fi/en/statistics/tyti)[[2]](https://stat.fi/tilasto/tyti)

**Bank of Finland (Suomen Pankki) Open Data / Time Series API** — Central bank data on economic indicators, financial statistics, and related youth/economic metrics.  
URL: https://www.suomenpankki.fi/en/statistics/open-data/ (portal at boffsaopendata.fi).  
API: Yes (Time series statistics API; JSON/CSV/etc. via REST).  
Update frequency: Regular (varies by series; frequent for key indicators).  
Auth: None (free/open).[[3]](https://www.suomenpankki.fi/en/statistics/open-data/)

**Eurostat API** — EU statistical office with country breakdowns for Finland (Europe & Central Asia coverage via EU-focused indicators on labor, youth, economy).  
URL: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat (API endpoints documented there).  
API: Yes (multiple REST APIs including STATISTICS, SDMX 2.1/3.0; JSON, SDMX, etc.).  
Update frequency: Twice daily (when new data available).  
Auth: None (free).[[4]](https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/user-guides/data-browser/api-data-access/api-introduction)

**THL (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare) – Kouluterveyskysely (School Health Survey) via Sotkanet / statistical cubes** — Government institute/NGO-adjacent source on youth well-being, health, education, and related poverty/instability indicators (biennial survey of school-aged youth).  
URL: https://thl.fi (results in Sotkanet at sotkanet.fi or THL statistical cubes).  
API: Partial (open API/exports from Sotkanet and cubes for aggregates; full microdata requires permits via Findata).  
Update frequency: Biennial (survey in even/odd years).  
Auth: None for public aggregates (free).[[5]](https://thl.fi/tutkimus/hankkeet/kouluterveyskysely)[[6]](https://thl.fi/tutkimus/hankkeet/kouluterveyskysely/tulosten-ja-aineistojen-kaytto)

**Yle (Finnish Broadcasting Company) RSS feeds** — Reliable public-service national/regional news source for Finland-specific coverage.  
URL: https://feeds.yle.fi/uutiset/v1 (various endpoints like recent.rss, majorHeadlines, topic-specific).  
API: Partial (RSS feeds; no full public news API for articles, though limited other APIs exist).  
Update frequency: Real-time/frequent (as news breaks).  
Auth: None (free; terms apply for use).[[7]](https://feeds.yle.fi/uutiset/v1)

Additional notes:  
- OECD Data Explorer offers SDMX API access to Finland indicators (income distribution, poverty, etc.) with country filters: https://data-explorer.oecd.org (free, no auth for public data).  
- Regional ECA coverage is strongest via Eurostat; other banks (e.g., African Development Bank, ADB, ESCWA) have limited or no Finland-specific relevance.  
- Tulli (Finnish Customs) Uljas API provides trade data but is less central for youth instability.  
- All listed sources emphasize machine-readable/public access where noted; verify current endpoints as structures can evolve.