The dominant domestic news story in Finland for most of 2025 has been the high unemployment rate. At the same time, throughout this year in TEK we have continued to advocate for the need Finland, and the technology industry, have for international experts. A classic immigration paradox emerges – how can it be that we need more workers, if such a high number are already unemployed? Is it unethical, or somehow detrimental to our Finnish members?
In September, consultancy company MDI published a population projection for Finland. Already, Finland’s deaths have been greater than births since 2016. By 2040, even with currently perceived relatively high immigration levels, our population will be around the same as now, but it will be significantly older. By 2050, basically only the few largest cities would have seen population growth of any kind, with even them having fewer workers than now.
Current market conditions cannot put at risk the future of the welfare state. We cannot simply turn off the tap and expect it not to have dried up when we realise we desperately need it open again. Large cities might survive such a drought, but most of Finland won’t.
This is, however, far from the only reason TEK will continue to advocate for a more international workforce. Earlier this year, an ETLA study on the impact of immigration on innovation found an increase in immigrant employment positively influenced innovation; more patent applications were filed and no impact on native employment was seen. Similarly, talent availability is a major factor in investment or retention decisions, and as a Chamber of Commerce employer survey recently showed, a high unemployment rate does not mean we don’t have skills shortages.
Even in the short term then, international experts being happy and employed in Finland is a vital part of creating the jobs that will improve the unemployment level.
Saying that is the easy bit. As the train towards the 2027 parliamentary election slowly gains speed, it is vital TEK is giving a platform for our international members’ voices in policy discussions. We must also advocate both internally and externally to lower discrimination and to increase the willingness to hire our international members, particularly students and recent graduates.
TEK has a duty to all our members, regardless of their background or nationality. Our work to make Finland a place for international experts is not detrimental to Finnish members, it serves that same goal of making the best working life, the best Finland, for everyone.
