Unemployment among foreign jobseekers fell slightly faster than before in September

Publication date 26.10.2021 12.30 | Published in English on 10.11.2021 at 17.45
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According to the new Employment Bulletin, the number of unemployed foreign jobseekers was 7% lower in September than in August. The number of those participating in employment promotion services has increased somewhat. This means that the reduction in unemployment has not necessarily translated into an increase in employment in the same proportion.

The figures in the review for September show that:

  • In September 2021, the number of unemployed foreign jobseekers, including those laid off, totalled 31,378. 
  • The number of unemployed foreign jobseekers was 7% lower than in August 2021 and 5% lower than in September a year ago. 
  • Compared with August, the number of unemployed foreign jobseekers fell slightly faster than the number of unemployed Finnish jobseekers (-5%), but the decrease was markedly slower than last year (-17%).
  • The number of foreigners in education or employment promotion services increased moderately from August. In other words, the reduction in unemployment has not necessarily increased employment in the same proportion.
  • Compared with the previous year, the unemployment rate among EU citizens has fallen considerably faster (-8%) than among other foreigners (-4%). Unemployment among the citizens of conflict areas (Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Syria) remains at a significantly higher level than in the previous year. 
  • The number of foreigners who have been unemployed in the long term fell for the second consecutive month, but the number of people who have been unemployed for more than two years is on the rise.

On the basis of the register data of the Employment Service Statistics and the survey data of the Labour Force Survey, the Centre of Expertise in Immigrant Integration publishes a monthly review of employment among foreign citizens and foreign-language speakers and of their participation in employment promotion services.

October 2021 overview of unemployment of foreign citizens and foreign-language speakers and their participation in employment promotion services (in Finnish)

Further information:
Employment Bulletin

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